Today's Featured Biography

 
William Childs

Went to College of Marin for three years before losing my student deferment- remember those?

I still have my IV-F card, however...

Did one summer at Marin Shakespeare festival, and also went to Edinburgh Festival with Marin's Western Production of "Taming of the Shrew." Shook hands with Princess Margaret. Earned an A.A. in Drama 1972.

Went to UC Santa Barbara for two years and got a B.A. in Dramatic Art-emphasis on directing, 1974. Learned a lot about theatre and a lot about what not to do. Took a summer course at UCLA in film, and really had a great time. Still have that film.

Went to SF State for two years and worked toward an M.A. in Film...thought that I'd be another Kubrick! Tried to finish a film script that summer for the thesis, but wore out after a few hundred pages.

Married Elizabeth that summer, in 1976. She and I even went to our Senior Ball together at Piedmont under somewhat unusual circumstances. We re-met, fell for each other while working together on a variety show for Beach School in 1974.

Our High school years were a swirl of experiences which ended abruptly wih graduation. If I had known that I'd return to the old homestead to raise our sons, I might have taken better care of myself!

Taught for a couple of years- Drama at a J.C., Summer work, I built a cabin in the Sierras, and the next year was the Technical Director at Woodminster Amphitheatre. Worked at a small theatrical shop in San Francisco, did a bit of on-call with the IATSE out at the Concord Pavilion, then into display department at Liberty House, downtown Oakland. I wasn't there too long- retail people are whacky!

Went to work with a local theatrical scenic company as a carpenter- Western Scenic Studios, down in Oakland. I stayed with them from 1981-1997, when they closed.

At some point, the SF State people sent me a letter telling me that my time to complete the thesis was running out. Went back, took a class, and finished the thesis. finally got the M.A. in 1974. That piece of paper and $1.85 will buy a large Peets coffee even today!

I taught Drama for a year after that at Sonoma State, part-time, but couldn't afford to continue that line of work...loved it, but it was just too far away..

At Western Scenic, I started out as a carpenter, moved on to assistant Operations Manager, and finally as Technical Director.

Lisa and I have had two Great Kids, they went elementary (Havens) thru high in Piedmont. Drew was class of '03, and Ross was '05.

I had joined the IATSE in 1986, so when the scenic company closed, I "went on the board", working as a stagehand in local venues.

I am currently on the Executive Board of our local, work part-time as the Maintenance Supervisor down at the Paramount Theatre, and am one of the first four on the crew at the Paramount.

Drew did a couple of years at Diablo Valley, went on to graduate in English/Poli Sci from Cal Berkeley 2008. Ross went directly to CSU Chico, and just graduated May 2009, Magna Cum, in Economics.

Looking forward to seeing everyone at the reunion!

Revised 8/09: Large Peets is now $1.95

Added the video from the Police show a couple of years ago-

You should be able to spot me-and one of my sons!

Bill

Revised again 9/09:

Havens School is flattened to the ground, and the construction of the new grammar school is underway. The portables for the temporary high school classrooms are squatting on our old kindergarten site. The "new" first grade wing is gone, and Ellen Driscoll is undergoing significant retrofitting. Change is supposed to be good.

No change in Caffeine prices, but my schedule will prevent me from attending the reuinion. Sorry again! I might be able to get to the memorial, depending on which show requires my services that night. We have Bob Dylan at the Greek for two nights, and a gospel choir competition at the Oracle arena.

I wish everyone the best, and hope that the 50th will be even grander!

Bill

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