George David Black's Obituary
September 8, 1930 – August 6, 2024
BLACK, George David, born George Merle Black on September 8, 1930, was one of 5 children and the fourth boy to Benjamin Arnold (B.A.) and Lelia Helen Black, in Edmond Oklahoma. David died in his longtime hometown of Miami, Florida on August 6, 2024, just shy of his 94th birthday. David was a graduate of Marshalltown (IA) High School and attended Marshalltown Junior College. Later he received his BA in Fine Arts from Dennison University and his MFA from Columbia University.
David’s US Army service during the Korean War took him to Germany where his education and theater experience led to an unusual opportunity. David and another soldier and theater enthusiast, Adrian Hall, co-founded and launched the Seventh Army Repertory Company where they produced and toured theater productions starring military men and women throughout Europe. That would become the foundation of David’s wide- ranging career in professional theatre including stints as an actor, stage manager and in arts administration.
David arrived in New York where he joined the administrative team of three alongside producer Joseph Papp creating the NY Shakespeare Festival. For 18 years David worked in every managerial position from the Shakespeare Festival’s beginnings as a struggling “free” theater, through serving as General Manager of one of the country’s leading regional companies. David reunited with Adrian Hall who had become the Artistic Director of the Tony award winning Trinity Square Repertory Company in Providence, Rhode Island, before arriving in Miami where he would make an impact on the local and state cultural community.
David was the first Managing Director of the Players State Theatre which resumed its original name of the Coconut Grove Playhouse. In his role he re-opened and re-established the building as a notable cultural destination for regional theater alongside Dr. Robert Kanter, Artistic Director. Together they re-envisioned the Playhouse for entertainment, education and community pride.
David’s experience in building strong cultural networks, advocacy for government and private support benefitted a growing number of Florida cultural institutions leading to his founding of the Florida Professional Theater Association, the Florida Cultural Action Alliance, serving on the Dade County Cultural Council, Florida Arts Council. His long history of community involvement being a leading participant in city, county, state, and national panels, boards, workshops and committees, included the Greater Miami and Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Florida Arts Council and the Broward County Cultural Enrichment Committee
Large, medium and small organizations, artists and audiences can thank “Mr. Black” for his multiple efforts to help cultivate a dynamic artistic community in South Florida. As a manager and consultant David helmed the renovation and reopening of the Colony Theater, establishment of the Vinnette Caroll Repertory Company, the Opera Guild of Fort Lauderdale, and the Hippodrome Theater. His guidance benefited emerging organizations including Fantasy Theatre Factory, the Murray Dranoff Foundation, and City Theatre. David was himself an enthusiastic audience member who, besides attending the theater, particularly enjoyed symphonic music.
For more than 60 years David was in a long and loving relationship with his life partner, Herbert C. Stannard III who pre-deceased him in 2021. David and Herbie loved their home in Morningside including walks to the bay, home cooking and trying out new restaurants, travel to visit friends, and lively afternoons and evenings of sports including the Dolphins and Red Sox.
David was surprised by his long life, which was as full and interesting as he was. He is survived by his brother-in-law, Robert Hedlund. nieces and nephews Steve Hedlund, Jennifer Hughson, Bonnie Long, Diana Black, David Black, Danny Black, Arnold Black and Dennis Black. David was very close to all his siblings; James, Robert and Ray, but especially close to his sister Frances until her passing in 2015.
Arrangements by Levitt-Weinstein Blasberg-Rubin-Zilbert Memorial Chapel (305) 932-2700.
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