Wyn Riley, JC's first lady of theater, dies at age 78

Wyn Riley, who co-founded Jefferson City's first theater group in the late 1960s and shaped the now-thriving theater scene here, died Saturday at the age of 78.

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Jim Orr stands with Feather, a 7-year-old mixed-breed wolf, on Monday on his Witter Wildlife Refuge. A bank has foreclosed on the property, forcing Orr to find new homes for animals he has kept there.

Riley's influence on local theater was far-reaching - she directed or worked with many of those involved in Jefferson City productions. After co-founding The Little Theatre of Jefferson City in 1969, she is credited with setting the stage for the other theater groups that formed later.

"I wouldn't be who I am today without her," TLT President Shae Marie Eickhoff said in an interview. In a message written for TLT's website, she wrote: "Her vision, passion and drive to create quality theatrical productions will live on through the generations she has touched and those she has mentored."

Riley also was one of the original members of Jefferson City Cantorum, a community choir that started in 1967. In 1989, she founded A Children's Theatrical Performing Arts Core (ACTPAC), which she used to mentor local youths in acting.

Since 1991, she has directed the Helias spring musical, and was planning a production of "Shrek" for next spring.

"It's rare in the life of a community when someone has such an impact and a far-reaching effect on so many lives," said Keith Enloe, a longtime local actor and director.

Not only did she touch many people's lives through the people she worked with, but she indirectly contributed to the founding of the city's other theater groups, he said. "Any (local) theater group today owes its existence to The Little Theatre," he said.

He said she had a passion for quality and perfection, which has rubbed off and led to high standards in all local theater companies.

Riley cast Mark Wegman in a role in the production of "Annie" in 1984, and Wegman later went on to form Scene One Theatre. He, like others, considers her a mentor.

"She just made me fall in love with theater all the more," Wegman said. "So I owe her much. And it's quite possible her influence made me go out on my own and form Scene One."

As a director, Riley was known for having a vision for all aspects of whatever show she was working on, and she wasn't afraid to express that vision to the cast and crew. She was a straight-shooter, who called the shots with authority and didn't mince words - whether they were words of criticism or praise.

"She would tell you exactly what she wanted you to do in the role you were playing," Wegman said.

Riley was complementary of Scene One, and even attended its most recent production. "The fact she put her stamp of approval on Scene One really meant the world to me," Wegman said.

From 1980-1994, she worked for the Missouri Senate, before buying longtime Irish bar Pat's Place (now Paddy Malone's Pub), which she owned from 1995-2000. During these years, she organized several trips with performing companies to Cork, Ireland.

Jack Renner, a local actor and director, has acted with Riley and been directed by her many times since meeting her when coming to town in 1970.

"She was a sharp lady. She knew theater, and I hate to see her go. Wyn and I go back a long time, and I've never regretted a moment of it."

A visitation is set for 4-7 p.m. Friday at Houser-Millard Funeral Home, followed by a celebration of her life at 7 p.m.