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Anisa Shamis Cox passed away March 19. Chula Vista should name a street after her.
She co-founded OnStage Playhouse in 1985, turning a small store into a viable theater space. And, using her background as a bookkeeper, she kept it viable by being the company's treasurer for its first 15 years.
"Indeed," says daughter Julie,, "when OnStage moved to their present location in 1999, there were enough available funds to make that move possible without a major appeal to donors."
Julie adds: "She was a member of the OnStage Board of Directors for nearly 20 years. And when the board decided to create an Artistic Director position in 1999, she became the organization's first."
Anisa was so active in theater her husband, Bill, became a scenic designer - and a good one - to spend more time with her.
In those days, says Julie, "Anisa Cox and OnStage Playhouse were synonymous. Her incredible passion, drive, and energy are largely responsible for the fact that OnStage is now one of the three longest continually producing community theater companies in San Diego."
By definition, community theater is theater by the community for the community. For several local companies, that distinction has blurred, since theaters like OnStage and Scripps Ranch now attract audiences from far outside their "territory." Anisa Cox was among the pioneers of that boundary-breaking growth.
In 1999, the city of Chula Vista gave her the Gayle McCandliss Award for serving the arts.
Anisa directed (a smart production of Jane Martin's Talking With, among them), did the books, was involved with the San Diego Association of Community Theaters, and acted as well.
I remember her at Poway Performing Arts in, I think, 2001. She played 80-year-old Mama Wheelis in Del Shore's southern-fried comedy, Daddy's Dyin: Who's Got the Will? Mama's the crusty grandmother who rules a roost of money-grubbing whackos. Though the shortest person on stage - by far, in fact - Anisa ruled the room with an appropriately out-sized, funny, and perfectly-timed performance I will not forget
"The Playhouse established the Anisa and Bill Cox Award in her honor," says Julie, "which is given each year to an individual who has worked behind the scenes to make outstanding contributions to theater."
Services will be held Friday, April 5 in the Parish Hall, St. Pius X Catholic Church, 1120 Cuyamaca Avenue, Chula Vista, beginning at 10:00 a.m. For information: (629)420-9193.
The family requests that "in lieu of flowers, donations be made to one or both of the following non-profit organizations: OnStage Playhouse (in honor of Anisa Shamis Cox), P.O.Box 12044, Chula Vista, CA 91912-0044; St. Pius X Catholic Church, 1120 Cuyamaca Avenue, Chula Vista, 91911.
Julie also suggests: "Anyone able to come to services is requested to wear some purple, her favorite color."
Anisa Shamis Cox passed away March 19. Chula Vista should name a street after her.
She co-founded OnStage Playhouse in 1985, turning a small store into a viable theater space. And, using her background as a bookkeeper, she kept it viable by being the company's treasurer for its first 15 years.
"Indeed," says daughter Julie,, "when OnStage moved to their present location in 1999, there were enough available funds to make that move possible without a major appeal to donors."
Julie adds: "She was a member of the OnStage Board of Directors for nearly 20 years. And when the board decided to create an Artistic Director position in 1999, she became the organization's first."
Anisa was so active in theater her husband, Bill, became a scenic designer - and a good one - to spend more time with her.
In those days, says Julie, "Anisa Cox and OnStage Playhouse were synonymous. Her incredible passion, drive, and energy are largely responsible for the fact that OnStage is now one of the three longest continually producing community theater companies in San Diego."
By definition, community theater is theater by the community for the community. For several local companies, that distinction has blurred, since theaters like OnStage and Scripps Ranch now attract audiences from far outside their "territory." Anisa Cox was among the pioneers of that boundary-breaking growth.
In 1999, the city of Chula Vista gave her the Gayle McCandliss Award for serving the arts.
Anisa directed (a smart production of Jane Martin's Talking With, among them), did the books, was involved with the San Diego Association of Community Theaters, and acted as well.
I remember her at Poway Performing Arts in, I think, 2001. She played 80-year-old Mama Wheelis in Del Shore's southern-fried comedy, Daddy's Dyin: Who's Got the Will? Mama's the crusty grandmother who rules a roost of money-grubbing whackos. Though the shortest person on stage - by far, in fact - Anisa ruled the room with an appropriately out-sized, funny, and perfectly-timed performance I will not forget
"The Playhouse established the Anisa and Bill Cox Award in her honor," says Julie, "which is given each year to an individual who has worked behind the scenes to make outstanding contributions to theater."
Services will be held Friday, April 5 in the Parish Hall, St. Pius X Catholic Church, 1120 Cuyamaca Avenue, Chula Vista, beginning at 10:00 a.m. For information: (629)420-9193.
The family requests that "in lieu of flowers, donations be made to one or both of the following non-profit organizations: OnStage Playhouse (in honor of Anisa Shamis Cox), P.O.Box 12044, Chula Vista, CA 91912-0044; St. Pius X Catholic Church, 1120 Cuyamaca Avenue, Chula Vista, 91911.
Julie also suggests: "Anyone able to come to services is requested to wear some purple, her favorite color."