Randy Marsh
Randall Conway Marsh (born December 5, 1948; died March 14, 2005 in Birmingham) was a director of curriculum and instruction for the Alabama School of Fine Arts and a co-founder of Birmingham Festival Theatre.
Marsh was the son of metallurgical engineer Jack Marsh and his wife, Katherine, a school teacher. He graduated from Woodlawn High School and completed his bachelor of arts at Samford University in 1970. He earned a master's in theater at the University of Alabama and worked as a drama instructor at West End High School. He began teaching English at ASFA in 1974 and was promoted to director of curriculum and instruction in 1997.
Marsh also volunteered with the Birmingham Actors' Studio under Bill Ozier and, in 1972, joined with Carl Stewart and Vic Fichtner to found the Birmingham Festival Theatre. In 2002 he co-founded the Little Theatre Players.
Several of Marsh's plays have been staged locally, including the Birmingham Children's Theater production of "The Reluctant Dragon." He also acted throughout his career. Notably he portrayed Birmingham City Commissioner Bull Connor in a 1996 production of "Last Hotel for Women", written by his sister, Vicki Covington.
Marsh was diagnosed with throat cancer and underwent a laryngectomy in 2004. On February 13, 2005 he was presented with the Birmingham Area Theatrical Alliance's inaugural lifetime achievement award. Less than a month later he suffered two strokes and succumbed to the cancer at UAB Hospital.
Marsh was survived by his wife, Hayden, and three children: Kim, Gaines and Kate. A memorial scholarship fund was created in his name at ASFA. He is buried at Elmwood Cemetery.
References
- Jackson, Daniel (March 15, 2005) "Randy Marsh" obituary. Birmingham Post-Herald
- Harvey, Alec (March 15, 2005) "Randy Marsh" obituary. The Birmingham News
External links
- BATA award and acceptance speech at wbhm.org
- Randy Marsh at Findagrave.com