Ira Gilman was a skillful and dedicated actor, who along with his wife Della and daughter Jodi, served SLOC for many decades. Even now, Della and Jodi are a presence at our productions–front row seats, cheering the actors on. To the Gilman family, SLOC plays a pivotal role in their lives. Having personally served on the Assistive Listening Committee, (at the State Street Opera House), this project was dear to the hearts of the Gilman family.  For over 20 years this project has been a goal of SLOC, to give the hearing-impaired patron, a chance to fully enjoy quality theater, and to encourage others to come and enjoy what SLOC has to offer. As both a performer and as a salesman for General Hearing Aids, Ira would be so proud! Congratulations!

Ira was active in many venues:

1. SLOC:Over 50 shows. Ira served in the position of stage crew and on the Box Office and Audition committes, and as VP of Audience Services. Ira’s favorite role was Tevye, in Fiddler on the Roof. This production (1987) was performed at Proctor’s.
2. Schenectady Civic
3. Temple Thespians

Other SLOC credits:

• Annie Get Your Gun…Waiter…1972 Ira’s first show with SLOC.
• Fiorello…Morris…1973
• Damn Yankees…Van Buren…1973
• High Button Shoes…Papa Longstreet…1974
• Man of LaMancha…Inn Keeper/Governor…1976
• George M…Ventriloquist/Mayor…1976
• 50^thAnniversary…Chorus…1977
• Carnival…Schlegel…1977
• King and I…The Kralahome…1981
• Applause…Howard Benedict…1982
• Wizard of Oz…Cowardly Lion…1985
• My Fair Lady…Zoltan Karpathy…1985
• Fiddler on the Roof…Tevye…1987
• 1776…John Hancock…1989
• The Magic of Cabaret…MC/French Cabaret…1996
• Guys and Dolls…Lt. Brannigan…1999. Ira’s last SLOC show.

Awards:

1. Etta Moore Award: Ira and Della Gilman 1995

An Assistive Listening System is to be installed in Ira’ honor. You might want to put this under his name/memory.

Alan Angelo

SLOC Historian/ Sept. 5, 2019