Theatre Stories

Edward Payson Call III (1928-2023) lived a life immersed in America's Regional Theatre. Ed began his theatrical career as a stage manager for Circle in the Square in New York and then moved on to be a founding member of the Guthrie Theatre. There he directed The Caucasian Chalk Circle to national acclaim. In his storied career, he directed plays nationwide throughout America's regional theatre. His last leadership role was at the Artistic Director of the Denver Center Theatre Company from 1979-1983. Ed moved from actively directing plays to teaching Shakespeare as a means to engage at risk youth. He personally funded a workshop for high school students, teaching the breadth of skills required to perform a Shakespearean role. On February 1, 2023, he died in his home reciting Shakespeare's sonnets from his bed the afternoon he passed away.