Title
Resolution Honoring the Life and Work of the late Stephen D. Hyers and Renaming of the City Arts Studio Theater as the Stephen D. Hyers Studio Theater
Body
Department: Legislative
Council District: All
Public Hearing: N/A
Advertising Date/By: N/A
Contact 1 and Phone: Councilmember Abuzuaiter, Ext. 2396
Contact 2 and Phone: Wade Walcutt, Interim Parks and Recreation Director, 373-2964
PURPOSE: The City of Greensboro wishes to honor the life and work of the late Stephen D. Hyers through the City Council's adoption of the attached resolution. At its October 8, 2014 meeting, the Greensboro Parks and Recreation Commission voted unanimously to accept the request to rename the City Arts Studio Theater as the Stephen D. Hyers Studio Theatre. Council action is needed in order to finalize this process.
BACKGROUND: Stephen D. Hyers served the Parks and Recreation Department's City Arts section in a variety of roles for over 24 years. Originally hired in 1990 as the Marketing and Business Assistant for the drama program, Hyers later served as the Scene Shop Director and Technical Coordinator for City Arts. Until his death on October 2, Hyers proudly served the City of Greensboro as the Managing Director of the City Arts Drama Center.
Hyers' professional interests and personal passion were aligned throughout his life, and he impacted hundreds of individuals in positive and meaningful ways. Hyers was quoted in a recent News and Record article as follows, "I am so fortunate to get up every morning and do something I enjoy. I love watching
kids grow doing
a show. I like when playwrights get to see their work on stage. I love seeing adult actors who finally take that risk." Earlier this fall, when Hyers was no longer able to work, countless individuals posted memories of Hyers' life on his Facebook page, demonstrating the widespread and lasting impact that he had on so many lives. Participants in Hyers' City Arts programs petitioned the Parks and Recreation Commission to rename the studio theater in his honor.
Many of the accomplishments of the City Arts Drama Center can be attributed to Hyers' creativity, dedication, and leadership, including the creation of the Greensboro Playwrights Forum and numerous unique production series which provided a forum for theater artists of all levels throughout the years including The New Play Project, Evening of Short Plays, and Shakespeare in the Park. Hyers was a tireless supporter of theater arts, both in his professional and personal time, and received recognition as president of the Carolina Theater Conference (2002-2004) and as a workshop leader at numerous state and regional theater conferences. In addition to his involvement at City Arts, Hyers was very giving of his time to other community entities, serving as a playwright and stage combat instructor at NC A&T State University, Elon University, and Wesleyan Christian Academy; and as a volunteer with Guilford County Schools.
BUDGET IMPACT: N/A. Participants in the drama programs raised private funds to erect the awning which is now present at the theater entrance, dubbing the theater the "Stephen D. Hyers Studio Theatre".
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED: It is recommended that Council adopt the attached resolution honoring the life and work of the late Stephen D. Hyers, which effectively renames the City Arts Studio Theater as the Stephen D. Hyers Studio Theatre.