Varro John Clarke, Jr. passed into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, October 22, with his with his wife of 63 years and two sons by his side. He was born in Schenectady, New York on April 5, 1935 to Varro Sr and Margaret Cowie, a GE Engineer and Dental Hygienist. The first of three boys, his early childhood was spent in Schenectady and Dewitt, NY. Following the death of his father when the younger Varro was eleven, he moved to Scotia, NY with his mother and two brothers. He and his wife would later make this their home for more than 50 years.
Upstate New York was an area rich in community theater. For over fifty years, Jean and Varro immersed themselves in backstage activities with the Schenectady Light Opera Company and Schenectady Civic Players. Varro was a favored stage manager for many directors until his skills as a craftsman were discovered and he found himself building and designing sets. Together Jean and Varro partnered as producers for many shows for both groups. They both enjoyed ushering for productions at Proctor’s Theater in Schenectady and the Lied Center in Lincoln.
Varro was dedicated to SLOC. A person who made things/productions happen. SLOC appreciates you!
SLOC CREDITS:
- Kiss Me, Kate May 1886: Set Decorating and Stage Manager
- Peter Pan 1986 Producer…Jean and Varro Clarke
- Barnum April 1988 Set Construction
- The Most Happy Fella May 1990 Producer…Jean and Varro Clarke
- Gypsy 2004 Set Construction
- Me and My Girl 1997 Set Construction
- The Sound of Music -Dec. 1968 Stage Manager
- Annie -Dec. 1984 Stage Manager. Producer: Jean and Varro Clarke
- Can-Can 1965 Stage Manager
- George M. April 1976 Stage Manager
- Board of Directors
- Audience Services
AWARDS:
- Thelma Zeh Gallery of Honor: Jean and Varro Clarke
- Etta Moore Award: Jean and Varro Clarke
Alan Angelo/SLOC Historian Nov.29, 2019