Posted by Andrew Shi
David Yergan, theater manager and technical director for the Theater Department at Skidmore College, passed away Sunday, Sept. 22, after experiencing a stroke late last week.
Yergan first arrived at the College 37 years ago as a student of the class of 1980. He graduated with the Margaret Ellen Clifford Award, studied at NYU and moved to Albany to work at the Capital Repertory Company. In 1987 Yergan returned to the College as technical director, lighting designer, production manager and theater manager for the Theater Department. Over the past 26 years he has set up and managed the scenic shop, founded numerous theater courses and produced the lighting and sound for innumerable productions.
Yergan was very active in the Saratoga community as well, working as lighting designer and director of production for Opera Saratoga and technical director for the Saratoga Shakespeare Company's production of The Tempest. During summers he worked with the Saratoga International Theater Institute.
A short meeting among Yergan's colleagues and students in the theater department was held Monday afternoon at the Janet Kinghorn Bernhard Theater. Department Chair Lawrence Optiz broke the news to the students and shared a short biography which he has posted on the Skidmore Theater Department Facebook page. Students were then given the opportunity to share their memories of Yergan. A moment of silence brought the short meeting to a close, and rehearsals for the night were canceled, to be resumed the next day.
A memorial service has been tentatively scheduled for the end of the semester. To share your own memories of David Yergan, visit the Skidmore Theater Remembers David Yergan Facebook page.