ST. LOUIS − Peter Sargent, a teacher, mentor and award-winning lighting designer who helped cultivate the St. Louis performing arts scene, died Wednesday afternoon (Nov. 27, 2019), family members said.
He was 82. The cause of his death has not been released.
Known as the “man in plaid,” Mr. Sargent was the founding dean of Webster University’s Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts and was part of the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis and Opera Theatre of St. Louis since the beginning.
“Peter Sargent dedicated his life and career to the arts,” Webster University Chancellor Beth Stroble said in a press release.
Added Paul Steger, dean of the Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts: “His passing and the impact of his contributions are felt beyond the borders of Webster.”
Mr. Sargent participated in the Shakespeare Festival St. Louis and The Muny. He was also involved with programs outside of Missouri, like the Hope Summer Repertory Theatre in Holland, Michigan. He was nationally known for lighting design.
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“When you are doing costumes or doing scenery, you see it,” Mr. Sargent told The Journal, a Webster University publication, in 2017. “But lighting should not be seen, it should just help create the atmosphere, the environment that enhances the storytelling. At least that’s what I think is important … Personally, I hate getting reviews in the paper because that means I’ve distracted someone.”
Asked about his choice of wearing bright plaid, he told the Post-Dispatch in 1989 that he loved color.
“It keeps your spirits and energy up,” he said. “It’s the same reason I like teaching and being in the theater. You’re always onto new things that require positive energy and good spirits.”
Mr. Sargent was born and raised in Marblehead, Massachusetts. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Carnegie Tech in 1959 and a master’s in technical production and lighting design from Yale in 1963. He arrived at Webster University in 1966 to run the lighting and design stage-management program at the Loretto-Hilton Center, the same year the Rep began.
One year later, he founded the university’s Conservatory of Theatre Arts. By 1995, he became the founding dean of the fine arts college, a program that has 500 students today.
The university said that some of the students who attended under his leadership include: “Blackish” star Jenifer Lewis; Broadway star Norbert Leo Butz; Oscar-nominated actress Marsha Mason; Tony-Award winning choreographer and director Jerry Mitchell; actor Rocky Carroll; and Broadway and Hollywood star Nathan Lee Graham.
“The thousands of his graduates continue to be major influencers throughout the world of art,” Webster University President Julian Schuster said in the release. “Peter left a legacy, a precious gift we must preserve, nurture, and grow. He defined art at Webster: flamboyant yet very modest, jovial, yet perceptive and thoughtful, and most importantly kind and warm — a friend in need. His loss is real and immeasurable, but he will always be a part of our community.”
Earlier this year, Mr. Sargent stepped down as dean to become a faculty member in the lighting and design stage-management program.
One of his daughters, Megan Case, announced Mr. Sargent’s death Wednesday on Facebook.
Megan Case
It is with great sadness that I share the news of the passing of My Main Man in Plaid. Peter left us peacefully this afternoon with my mom, Amy and I by his side. A memorial service will be planned...
“It is with great sadness that I share the news of the passing of My Main Man in Plaid,” Case wrote. “Peter left us peacefully this afternoon with my mom, Amy and I by his side.”
His family said a memorial would be planned at a later date.