Lynne Kreisman first came onto the live theatre scene in Woodstock when she was cast in TSP's production of Phantom in 2002. She was also seen on stage in several other shows such as The Mikado, The Pirates of Penzance, Red Glow Czar, The Sound of Music and Camelot. Not only did Lynne perform on stage, she also worked behind the scenes for multiple productions working on props, set dressing, and organizing opening night receptions. She also participated with Sunday in the Square on Stage. For some years, she served on TSP's Board of Directors as a Director-at-Large and Treasurer. Helping choose plays for TSP was another duty she took on for several years when serving on the Play Reading Committee. Theatre played a large role in her life in Woodstock.
Lynne touched so many people's lives in the theatre community both on and off the stage. In honor of her dedication to Woodstock theatre, Advia Credit Union has made a generous donation to our upcoming season.
We took some time to revisit her legacy with our members. We've heard so many loving stories about how much Lynne meant to us. Here are a just a few:
What is your fondest memory of Lynne Kreisman?
Paul Lockwood: My favorite memories of Lynne are times of socializing when my wife Diane and I spent with Lynne and Dan. We’d have a game night or see a show at the Opera House and share a dessert afterwards. Dan and I would be cracking jokes or puns, and if Dan veered into insult humor—sometimes at my expense—Lynne would come to my defense, helping cajole Dan into being a bit nicer. I also remember Lynne graciously hosting some of the TownSquare Players board meetings in their beautiful home when she and Dan were both on the board. Lynne never sought the spotlight; she was happy to just help out backstage most of the time. But whether she was co-producing or handling props or being an ensemble member of a show, you knew she would do all of it with a smile that melted many a heart. For “1776,” it was Lynne who took me to the emergency room on the Monday night of Tech Week, staying with me as the ER doctor expressed his doubts that my leg pain would improve enough to allow me to perform later that week. (This “Richard Henry Lee” DID get better enough. I was so grateful to have a friendly face in that ER.)
Gina Belt-Daniels: Lynne was my set dresser for several shows at the Woodstock Opera House. She had great taste and style and one of my shows in particular, "HARVEY", had especially wonderful wallpaper and period appropriate furniture that she acquired. Lynne always checked with me about colors, what I was looking for exactly, and wasn’t afraid to get us freebies and donations especially with our set budgets!!! She also had a sunny personality-always smiling, always calm, especially when she was involved with the TSP Board with her husband Dan. Lynne was a fantastic person to work with and to know.
Brendan Gaughan: I started my first show at The Woodstock Opera House back in 2006. It was a read through rehearsal for "The Mousetrap." Lynne’s husband Dan was stage managing. This beautiful lady came in halfway through the rehearsal. Dan introduced her and said, “We are newlyweds.”
Getting to know Lynne, she was a great listener, very polite, loving and just goes along with Dan’s jokes.
I had many great memories of her. But I could share this one. The Opera House staff shared the ghost Elvira. I was told she was seen as a phantom with blonde hair. As I was going down the stairs. I heard foot steps coming down slowly behind me. I stopped and slowly turned around. From the corner of my eye I saw what I thought was a phantom with blonde hair. It turned out to be Lynne, wearing all black because she’s part of crew, and of course, she’s blonde. I told her, “I thought you were Elvira at first.” She knew right then and there. Dan was telling every new person like me about Elvira.
What I’m going to miss about Lynne. She would see Dan and I goof around like children after rehearsals. Lynne knew how obnoxious we were. And she would say, “Oh, you boys.”
I just want to say. It breaks my heart that we all couldn’t be at the Opera House together during the pandemic. I just absolutely miss your love to all of us. And seeing your incredible love with Dan and being together every time I saw them. We miss you Lynne. And we love you.
Roger Zawacki: I served on the TownSquare Players board with Lynne for 8 years. She was a quiet leader and when she spoke, everyone listened. She always had great ideas. My first show for TownSquare Players was "The Pirates of Penzance" in 2011. No one was getting a stipend to do the show. Both Dan and Lynne were in the cast. I kept telling the cast that I needed a choreographer to help with the musical numbers. It was Lynne who stepped up and contacted Kara Williams and brought her on board to help with the choreography. She was a one of a kind gem.
Lisa Czarny-Hyrkas: Before I met Lynne, I knew Dan Kreisman for a few years before when we were in WMTC's production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" in 1995. When Dan and Lynne started dating, I saw how happy he was. I really got to know Lynne when we did "The Sound of Music" (2002) together and we both served on TSP's Play Reading Committee. She was always so sweet and kind, had a calming presence, and was someone I absolutely loved working with. What an honor it is to have known her.
