SILVERTON — Marianne Fearn believed that expression through the Arts was a necessary part of the full development of the life experience for every individual. Her work in the performing arts through theatre productions sought to stimulate thought and bring depth and breadth to the understanding of life values between individuals.
Marianne was president and artistic director for A Theater Group in Silverton, Colo. since its beginning nearly 19 years ago. Her dream was for ATG to serve both the local community as well as the greater theatre community and to open horizons and remove the limitations that hold back the expression of creativity in people. She believed that theatre should be interactive with the community and established the Silverton Summer Youth Program which provided educational programs in the Arts for the youth of Silverton (ages 5 – 20). The program provided opportunities for college interns to both teach and experience the full range of skills required to mount theatre productions. She received the Alumni Appreciation Award from the University of Colorado at Denver for her work with college students.
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Marianne was a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (Ethiopia I & II). She remained in Ethiopia working at Haile Sellassie I University in Addis Abba, Ethiopia until 1970. After returning home and receiving her advanced degrees she taught theatre programs at Jersey City State College in Jersey City, N.J.; New Mexico State University at Las Cruces, N.M.; and at University of Michigan-Flint at Flint, Mich. She also taught at the HB Studio in New York City. She had a strong belief in public service and served on many community and state boards. In 2006 she was named one of 25 Legends in Non-Profit Leadership by the Community Resource Center.
Marianne moved to Silverton to be near her parents and brother in 1983 and served as Town Clerk for the Town of Silverton from 1984 to 1993. Along with friends and associates, she formed A Theatre Group in 1989 in Silverton. She was a co-founder of the Southwest Community Theatre Festival, and ATG hosted the first two Festivals in Silverton. Since 1993, she devoted herself full time to forwarding the goals of ATG and was currently focusing on the beginning of the construction of a performing arts center in Silverton in addition to other ATG programs.
Marianne passed away at home on Sept. 16, 2008. Marianne is survived by her brother, Stephen C. Fearn of Silverton; her nephew, Benjamin J. Fearn who is serving in the U.S. Navy; her grandnephew, Joseph G. Fearn of Murphysboro, Ill.; her Chihuahua Chloe and her cat Bonita. A graveside service is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 28, 2008 at 2 p.m. at Hillside Cemetery in Silverton. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to A Theatre Group, P.O. Box 56, Silverton, CO 81433. Arrangements are under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home, 802 E. Main, Montrose, CO 81401 (970) 249-2121.
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