Nicholas Rudall, A Court Theatre Founder, Dies

CHICAGO, IL - Nicholas Rudall, one of the founders of the modern Court Theatre, died earlier this month. He was 78.

Rudall was the founding artistic director of the theater that progressed from an outlet for the community and students to one that employs professional actors.

"We all have been inspired and profoundly enriched by Nick's beautiful artistry for decades, and we are indebted to him for the enduring gift of this precious theatre," the theatre wrote in a statement announcing Rudall's June 19 death.

He became involved with Court Theatre in the early 1970s and played a pivotal role in joining forces with the university to find them a permanent home at 5535 S. Ellis Ave.

Rudall is best known as an award-winning translator of Greek plays and for his 40 years as a University of Chicago professor.

He directed many plays at the theatre and would appear on stage in several roles including Macbeth and Richard III.

“For over half a century, Nick Rudall was an important voice of the arts at the University of Chicago. He will be remembered for his scholarship, dedication to theater and critical work in building the Court Theatre into a leading artistic institution in Chicago,” Court Theatre President Robert J. Zimmer said.

Rudall died peacefully with family in Arizona after a hard-fought battle with cancer, according to an obituary on the Court Theatre website.

Photo courtesy of Court Theatre