It was easy to understand why Marcy Felser was able to organize a nonprofit, fully mounted touring theater company that performed classic dramas in area high schools, colleges and the community at large.
"My mother grew up in New York City," said her son, David Felser. "Along with my grandparents who loved the theater, she seldom missed a Broadway production. It was always her desire to go on stage."
Marcelle Feiner Felser, of Shadyside, cofounder of Vanguard Theatre and author of the book "How to Take Center Stage and Hold It," died on Thursday, April 22, 2004, at Weinberg Terrace, Squirrel Hill.
Born and raised in New York City, Marcelle Feiner was one of two children in the family of Dr. David and Anne Friedman Feiner. At one time her father, an obstetrician-gynecologist, was the chief of the medical staff at three New York City hospitals.
It was her desire to be on center stage that brought Marcelle Feiner to the Carnegie Institute of Technology, now Carnegie Mellon University, where she received her degree in drama.
And it was at Carnegie Tech that she met Simon Felser, the captain of Tech's basketball team. They were married in 1941, and for several years lived in New York City, where Mrs. Felser worked in commercial theater.
Prior to returning to Pittsburgh, when her husband was offered an engineering position, Mrs. Felser took what her friend Jane Arkus called "a tour of discovery."
"Marcy had the opportunity while visiting Germany to attend a production of the Berliner Ensemble, an innovative theater group that she admired," said Arkus, who added that Mrs. Felser's energy and enthusiasm struck sparks in everyone around her.
"And while in Russia, she attended productions of the Stanislavsky Theater, noted for their opera and ballet productions."
Upon the Felsers' return to Pittsburgh, Mrs. Felser was one of the principal actresses at the Pittsburgh Playhouse, where she was acclaimed for her portrayal of the maid Sabina in Thornton Wilder's "The Skin of Our Teeth."
Prior to devoting her time to Vanguard, she directed many theatrical productions for civic organizations, was a fashion commentator on radio, and in later years coached young and aspiring theater professionals.
While consulting for a theater production at Rodef Shalom Congregation in Oakland, Mrs. Felser met Miriam Cherin, who became her partner in the Vanguard Theatre and her closest friend for more than five decades.
In 11 years of operation, Vanguard Theatre, funded by corporate, private and individual donations, reached a half-million young adults and became a national model for similar projects. It was considered one of the four outstanding professional theaters-in-education in the United States.
Mrs. Felser, as Vanguard's creative director, conceived and directed all of its 21 productions. She was recognized for her work and was appointed as one of four consultants to the National Theater Laboratory.
David Felser said his mother "loved ideas and appreciated life more than anyone I ever knew. She encouraged my sister, Dona, and myself to develop the interests that we wanted and not the interests of our parents.
"I graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, and I'm also involved in the entertainment industry in California," said her son. "My sister Dona, who graduated from Vassar, is the community director of Alameda County in California."
Mrs. Felser is survived by a son, David Felser of Marina Del Rey, Calif.; a daughter, Dona Hoard of Oakland, Calif.; grandchildren, Daniel and Eliza Hoard; and her beloved friend, Miriam Cherin. She was predeceased by her husband, Simon; and a sister, Arlene Robinson.
Friends will be received from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at H. Samson, Inc., 537 N. Neville St., Oakland, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Interment is private.
