PW LOSES A LEGEND

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    The Players Workshop stage lights are a little dimmer now, with the passing of the beloved Bobbie Hillard, who died on Nov. 3, 2024.
   Bobbie, who was born Roberta Feikert in 1938, was a PW fixture, appearing in 3 musicals (Oklahoma, Bells are Ringing, and South Pacific and 2 plays (1959-61) while in her early 20’s—this was back when the productions were staged in places like Horace Mann and Memorial Auditoriums because the current venue had not yet been built.  According to PW Archivist Mary Krohlow, her loss is “particularly notable” as in 1960, Bobbie was “the last of us who performed in the old carriage house,” appearing in The Gazebo, the last play done there—the current playhouse is built atop the foundation of that carriage house.
   She married Don Hillard in 1962 and took a 27- year hiatus, returning to PW in 1989 in Bedroom Farce—She brought Don with her, and, together they were a common sight at the theater (although Don was always on the backstage side).  
   All told, she appeared in 33 plays and musicals, with her last stage appearance in 2017 in The Addams Family.   Only a handful of actors have had more PW performances over all these years.  Bobbie was particularly known for having a “set of pipes;” most of the musicals done by PW had Bobbie in either a major or a minor role, and nobody had a problem hearing her!  She also directed 7 productions, and, when she was sitting in the audience, her infectious laugh would warm up the crowd.
   She also served the organization in other ways; Behind the scenes, she was the make-up artist for many plays; she also painted scenery, did hair, supplied costumes, vacuumed, swept, and even cleaned toilets.   For a number of years, she handled Active Membership (at a time when it was all done by one person, not a committee).  When it was time for a workday, she would call every single active member. For years she was in charge of calling volunteers to usher and work concessions. Her contagious enthusiasm for Players Workshop always brought out numerous volunteers—it was hard to say “no” to Bobbie.
   Recalls long-time PW member Carole Rutenbeck, Bobbie would “loan you furniture or wardrobe, take any part from cameo to lead, provide treats for intermission or a cast party, or host the cast party herself . . . . Her big warm personality was matched by that big voice and talent that filled the theatre . . . . It was a joy to call her a friend.”
Bobbie was on the board, serving as President and Vice- President. She was a director, assistant director, stage manager, producer, and book holder. If it needed done, Bobbie was there! 
She was also a tremendous morale booster, and nobody loved a party more than she did! 
Don pre-deceased her in 2017, but she is survived by her daughter Melodie Hillard Hoschek, as well as several grandchildren and great grandchildren.
   Bobbie’s contributions to the Workshop earned her the 2024 Mayors’ Volunteer Award for Cultural Performing Arts, an honor richly deserved. When told of her  nomination, she burst into tears and said “But it’s not me! . . . it’s all the others who are so supportive!” 
Bobbie Hillard was one of a kind—she represented everything that is good about Players Workshop-- and her talent, commitment, kindness, and laughter will be missed, but the sound of her laughter will always echo in the theater.

            With her enthusiasm and energy, Amy Ford is another promising asset in the future of Players Workshop.