William Grivna
William “Bill/Griv” Grivna, Professor Emeritus, actor, director, author, tai chi instructor and life coach, died July 12, 2022 at Barnes Jewish Hospital. He was 79.
Bill taught theater performance for 29 years at SIUE and directed many shows both at SIUE and at professional theaters in St. Louis. Bill served as Associate Director and advisor for Theater Project Company and for HotHouse/HotCity Theater in St. Louis. He was a proud cofounder of the Arts and Issues Series at SIUE and The Children’s Theater Connection held at the St. Louis Art Museum for 10 years. Bill was an outstanding director and actor. Some of his favorite memories included receiving the Best Director in St. Louis award for his production of “A Delicate Balance,” acting at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis under the direction of Tyrone Guthrie, playing Kemp in Hot City’s “Entertaining Mr. Sloane” (St. Louis Theater Circle award nominee for best supporting actor), being a cast member of Upstream Theater’s “The Hairy Ape” (St. Louis Theater Circle award nominee for Outstanding Ensemble), and playing Dulinsky in Director Ang Lee’s feature film, “Ride With The Devil – Director’s Cut.” Bill was a member of SAG-AFTRA and Actors Equity Association (AEA)
Born in Minneapolis, MN, Bill held a BA, MA, MFA from the University of Minnesota, a Fellowship at the Guthrie Theater, and a Secondary Education Credential from San Francisco State. Bill is survived by his wife, Rosemary Christian, two step-daughters: Alexandra Christian and Stephanie Christian, two step-grandchildren: Freedom Christian and Fletcher Christian in the St. Louis area, and his sister and brother-in-law, Paula and Mryon Manzuk and their children Christopher, Daniel, Juliana and Gregory in Minneapolis.
Bill was a cofounder, teacher and board member for the St. Louis T’ai Chi Ch’uan Association and practiced tai chi for more than 40 years. In retirement, he wrote three books (available on Amazon). Bill touched many lives with his humor, authenticity and passion for life as well as the arts. He will be dearly missed.
Griv loved meeting up with friends over happy hour. A celebration of his life will be held Friday, August 5, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at the Metcalf Theater on the SIUE campus. Eulogies and toasts will begin at 5:00 pm. Free parking is available for this event in Lot F across from the Metcalf Theater. A campus map is available here (The Metcalf is #11 on the map): https://www.siue.edu/maps/parking/
In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to the FOTAD William Grivna Merit Award scholarship at SIUE Department of Theater and Dance. Information is available by contacting Kyle Moore at (618) 650-5048, kymoore@siue.edu Online contributions may be made at FOTAD William Grivna Merit Award in Performance or checks may be made payable to SIUE Foundation and designate Fund #8395 in the memo line.
I am just devastated. Bill was my first friend in grad school – 1966 – and we remained close over the years, visiting in each other’s homes, talking, corresponding, caring. He was so in love with Rosemary, so very happy with her/you – I was thrilled for him. A wonderful, gifted, kind, funny, original.
Bill Grivna will remain our family. His graceful, intelligent, warm and accepting spirit helped our family to prosper and grow. He loved each member of this family from Fletcher, Freedom, Alex and Stephanie, especially Rosemary, to our part of the clan (Fred, Linda, Reagan and Darby).
Rosemary, we love you and thank you for continuing to include us in your life with Bill. Bill, you were a creative and thoughtful man, but remain a vibrant spirit we look forward to seeing again.
With love and deep respect,
Fred, Linda, Reagan and Darby Christian
Dear Family of my Friend and Mentor to So Many, Bill Grivna,
I have been traveling in Israel for the past month and have just this morning learned of “Griv’s” passing. I am devastated. Though I had not been in touch with him for about six years, I remember so fondly our “adventures” at Association for Theatre in Higher Education conferences and the many laughs (and drinks!) we shared. He was always an inspiration to think harder, smile longer, and rise above. We were a “Gang of Three” with our dear friend Roger Long of the University of Hawaii who left this world in 2010. “Griv” was my pal when I gave birth to my daughter in 1989, and we were still pals when she got married in 2006.
I will share one story with your family that will stay with me always: One night, I believe it was in 1992, he and I were walking out for dinner during the annual ATHE Conference which that year was, I believe, in Chicago. The skies suddenly opened up, and we had to duck into a storefront with an awning. It was incredibly humid, I recall, and very misty. And he and I practiced “Push Hands” together under the awning. The thing is, although I am also a tai chi instructor, I do not practice nor teach (then nor even now) “Push Hands,” yet “Griv” guided me through the form as if I had been practicing it all my life.
I will remember his smile and his advice and his instructions always. Reading the obituary, I am so happy that he has a family that loves him because he is a gift to be cherished forever. As we say in Jewish circles, “May his memory be for a blessing.”
Gasho (bowing with palms together),
Randy Barbara Kaplan
I remember the first time I met Bill. He was going to direct CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF for Theatre Project Company. I was to play the role of the very pregnant Sister Woman – because I had just found out that I was pregnant. Instead of shaking my hand when we were introduced, Bill rubbed my belly! For luck! (I gave birth to my son less than a week after the show closed.) We worked together on and off for years after that.
Bill was blessed to find Rosemary – and they made a handsome couple wherever they went. Rosemary, you and your girls brought such joy to Bill and I know your heart is aching now. Sending you love and light.
Patton
Bill was my first acting teacher… I will forever be inspired by what he shared💕 Thank you, Bill!