Seems like I'm posting too many obits lately, but unfortunatley, here's another:
Michael Thompson founded Moveable Feast in 1998. The organization provides hot meals for victims of HIV and AIDS. Thompson was alsoactive in area theater groups.Michael Thompson, a Lexington actor and longtime survivor of AIDS whohelped nourish thousands of Kentuckians with the same disease, diedMonday. He was 51 and had been suffering from cancer.Mr. Thompson founded Moveable Feast, which delivered hot meals topeople in Central Kentucky suffering from HIV and AIDS, in 1998. Hegot the idea after nursing a destitute artist with AIDS who starved todeath just a few blocks from Lexington's city hall, said fellowactivist and friend Robert Morgan.
I had the absolute pleasure and privilege of knowing and working with Michael here in Lexington. We worked together at the LSF back in 02 and 03. He was a kind, sweet man with a good soul. I will miss him, and the community will miss his talent and his great charity. Godspeed, Michael...
If you knew Michael and would like to post something, or you have a good story involving him, feel free to write away.
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12 comments:
he was lovely in every way...he had his own theatre group(Bagatelle Theatre), improv troope (Wet Soup @ JDI), cabaret group (Levas') at one time, I have known him for such a long time...admired him from afar and then worked with him up close...brilliant...and most of all, he was just fun...that smile, that laugh, that love of life...that Mike...he understood, I mean he "got it", he really "got it"...
lyrics...Johnny Cash, the lyric is the title
Did not know Michael personally, but saw him onstage and auditioned with him ("Love! Valor! Compassion!" - a real learning experience for a straight guy like me to be in that room. I grew as a person that night, I can tell you that.) He was a very fun guy! Here is a link to the piece the Herald-Leader did, incl. photos.
http://tinyurl.com/sp4ut
Doesn't it say something about the spirit that humankind can have, even during this embarassing time in our nation's history, that people like Michael can do so much for others?
I regret I never got to work with Michael, but I did get to see him on stage in As You Like It and Southern Baptist Sissies -- in widely different roles, which shows what his range was. I spoke with him a few times and he seemed very grounded and sweet. And the work he did with Moveable Feast was just phenomenal. In his too-short life he made significant contributions to this community in 2 areas -- theatre and AIDS services -- and how many of us will be able to say that at the end of our lives? He will be greatly missed.
I knew Michael and we also shared a mutual appreciation for each others work. I loved his hearty laugh and fun sense of humor. He also amazed me during hot summer day rehearsals at Shakes...he seemed to be enjoying the heat and the sun...getting a tan! He had a wonderful FULL presence onstage.
I am very sad that he is gone...and a bit slapped with reality.
From Leslie B:
Funeral arrangements have been completed, and are as follows. Please distribute as widely as possible.
Visitation and Service Sunday January 7th at Milward's on Broadway. Visitation from 1-3p.m., with service at 3 p.m.
Celebration of Michael's life on Saturday, January 27th. The Carnegie Center 251 W. Second Street, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
I will miss him. He was one of the nicest men I had ever met. Always had a smile on his face (an amazing thing, seeing that he had been suffering with HIV longer than I new him) a deeply infectious laugh, and never had a disparaging word about anyone.
Michael was one of the first people I looked for at auditions, cause he always made me laugh. And for someone who is expected to make other people laugh, it is almost bliss when someone gives you a respite and allows you to relax and enjoy. I regretfully did not know the extent of his reach until now.
JB
He was one of the few people who would always bring a smile to my face when I saw him.
I am very lucky to have worked with him on a couple of productions.
My favorite story.... LSF's As you like it.
I have a... fear of clowns, and boy did he like knowing that. At the meet and greet after the show, I was shaking hands and the like. Micheal didnt come up to me due to my ...fear, but he did hover just in sight. He would stand behind the person is was talking to, or do a lil jig to draw my eye. The whole time there was the twinkle in his eye and a smile. Later when we saw each other he laughed loudly at my reactions as we talked of Russell and The Clown.
The world is truly a little darker witout his light.
-Russell
All of this makes me sad. Can we have a new topic?
-Russell
excellent suggestion
I just posted a reminder about AGL's inaugural "Conversations with..." over on the Lex Theatre site. I urge everyone here to come tomorrow, Thursday, January 18th, to participate in a Q & A with Benny Sato Ambush, director of AGL's production of Athol Fugard's terrific play about the theatre, EXITS & ENTRANCES. Mr. Ambush is speaks of the theatre with a seasoned veteran's knowledge and respect and an acolyte's affection and eloquence. I think it will be an exciting evening. I urge you all to attend. It will be in the Black Box Theare at the DAC, 7:00pm.
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