KEVIN O’BRIEN (2025)
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Kevin O’Brien, a veteran of nearly more than half a century in Chicago theater, died in December. Kevin graduated from Northwestern in the1960s and also studied at Loyola University. In 1969, he landed a role opposite Broadway star Ethel Waters in THE MEMBER OF THE WEDDING at Lake View East’s Ivanhoe Theatre where early productions helped shape the then-fledgling Off-Loop theater movement. As an improv artist, Kevin had his own show. “(A)sure sign that things are going well is when no one can really remember whose idea was whose, or who should get credit for what jokes,” he wrote on his Facebook page.
In 1976, Kevin signed on as the children’s actor coach for the Goodman Theatre’s Bicentennial production of DANDELION WINE. He later worked as the Goodman’s House Manager. Notable acting roles in Chicago include: the Archbishop of Canterbury and King Charles VI in Oak Park Festival Theatre’s 2011 HENRY V, the Dauphin in the Joan of Arc drama THE LARK, Adolphus Cousins in MAJOR BARBARA, Mr. Velasco in BAREFOOT IN THE PARK and Patelone in A SERVANT OF TWO MASTERS. As Director of Special Events for the Art Institute of Chicago from 1977-1985, Kevin supervised or co-produced more than 1,000 museum events. He pioneered programming that brought in blockbuster loan and touring exhibitions as a source of additional revenue. He did everything from fashion shows to Philip Glass concerts. Kevin’s passion for theater never waned. He worked in leadership capacities at the Ravinia Festival, St.Nicholas Theatre Company, ShawChicago, Music Theatre Workshop and the Factory Theatre, where he was an ensemble member of 2019’s MAY THE ROAD RISE UP. Kevin’s eclectic career also included a stint as a personal assistant to the legendary Burr Tillstrom and Fran Allison during syndication video tapings of the beloved, Peabody award-winning KUKLA, FRAN & OLLIE television show. Kevin also worked in academia, as an adjunct professor of management, leadership and business writing at Columbia College’s Business and Entrepreneur Department. Kevin was no stranger to film work, appearing in independent filmmaker Mike Crame’s award-winning DEAR MR. FYDRICH and TEENAGE GHOST PUNK. Kevin’s ethos came through on Facebook, where he listed favorite quotes and imparted life lessons. "Life is an improvisation,” he wrote. “You have no idea what's going to happen next and you are mostly just making things up as you go along." |