KEY POINTS:
Alex Urban, children's theatre director, died in California, aged 65.
Alex Urban arrived in Auckland in 1996 with the intention, as a semi-retired teacher, of directing one children's theatre show. He so enjoyed the experience that he thought another show might be possible.
The habit grew, and over the next 10 years Urban, assisted by Lynne Drexler, directed 23 shows for the Auckland Children's Musical Theatre, drawing more than 4000 youngsters into theatre production.
Urban died on February 11 after a short illness.
Born and educated in Illinois, Urban taught in colleges there and in California for 15 years.
He set up and directed children's theatre in California, and co-ordinated exchange productions with students in Moscow, Sydney, London and Paris. "Every child is a star" was his philosophy, and he ensured that even children who could not pay were in his productions.
He is survived by his wife, Kathie Bretches, and daughter, Alison.
