Remembering Fred Brockwell

The founder of the Upstagers…

Fred founded the Upstagers in 1977. His tenacity and enthusiasm kept us going in the early lean years and eventually led us to become an award winning community theater group. We are committed to continuing the legacy Fred established so many years ago. 

You always think that they will be there forever and when you learn of their passing, it takes your breath away. And then you think of the memories you have and what an exceptional life they had. I didn’t know Fred as long as others, but I know he had a great life. He touched me to my core and rekindled my love of theater. I will always be grateful for that. Love you, Fred. Dr. Pepper forever!
-Lea White

My journey with The Upstagers and friendship with its founder, Fred Brockwell, began in 1984, my first show being South Pacific.  Over the years we worked together on so many comedies, so many musicals, shared the victories—and defeats—of competitive theater…I’ve lost count.  Fred has always been a wealth of knowledge and experience, and I don’t think he every shied away from a challenge when it came to the stage.  The Upstagers is an award-winning group because that’s what Fred inspired. 

An interesting trait Fed had—one that took me a while to appreciate—was that he often had no filter when commenting/critiquing a performer, a costume, a set or a scene.  But it was because he loved the craft and his cast that he could consistently push us to excellence. 

I could share countless stories about Fred, but I’ll share one about the very last show Fred directed me in.  In 1994 Fred directed Pump Boys & Dinettes, which we eventually took to contest.  In 2017, Fred—who had “retired” and moved away—decided he wanted to revive that show…with the original cast!  After 23 years, could he pull that off?  Well, in a manner only Fred could get away with, he went to each of us and said the other cast members agreed to do it if we would do it…even though none of us had actually said that!  And I dare say it was an even better show the second time around. 

I wouldn’t be half the actor or director I am today if it weren’t for the years of experience and friendship I shared with Fred.  Del Rio owes so much to him.  So do I, and I’ll miss him.  And his Dr. Pepper.  
-Rob Wade

If not for Fred Brockwell, there probably would not be a community theatre group in Del Rio. And what a blessing the Upstagers have been for Del Rio! I am immensely thankful that Fred founded the Upstagers. He promoted family involvement, and boy did my family get involved! David, Ben, Will, Luke and I were all a part of many shows over the years, and I know we “grew” with each one. We met new people from different parts of our community, we explored our talents and limitations, and we evolved into more well-rounded and confident people. It was challenging. It was fun. It was rewarding. It was conducive to family and community bonding.

Thanks to Fred, I know many lives in Del Rio have been positively impacted by the Upstagers. Love, comfort, and peace to Fred, his family, and his many friends.
-Candy Graf

Fred was supremely matter of fact. Usually this was a good thing, but occasionally Fred could be TOO matter of fact. For example, Fred might be talking about how difficult it is to deal with people whose own estimation of their talent is a little overinflated. He might then point to someone listening in on the conversation and say, “Now Susie here would never expect to play the lead in a musical because she knows she can’t sing.”

Poor Susie, unfortunately, was NOT aware of this fact and is now crushed. And Fred would be oblivious because the fact that Susie can’t sing is so painfully obvious to him, it had never occurred to him it was not obvious to Susie.

I miss my old friend, quirks and all. We shared a passion for musical comedy and for entertaining. We disagreed at times, of course, but we respected one another's perspectives and always knew the other was coming from a desire to make each show as amazing as it could be. I learned so much from him and will forever cherish my time with the Upstagers and Fred.
-Ben Graf

Some of the best and funniest memories I have of Fred were in the middle of performances. He would forget his lines, walk over to a set piece where he had left himself written cheat notes then say his line... If that didn't work he would ad lib as long as possible (brilliantly I might add) until a fellow actor would get things back on track, or he would ad lib himself completely off stage so he could look at his script in the wings! At times that left the stage completely empty! He was always so funny, and I always swore that he could play any roll, any time. He will be missed. 
-Terra Wade

From the time I read The Outsider and knew I would need to find a portrait of a character for the absent Governor Larry Clarke for our Spring 2023 show, I thought of Fred. Being able to tell him he was once again cast in an Upstagers production would be a tribute to how I feel about him.  Finally all the parts came together and I was ready to send the photo of his portrait on stage along with a copy of the script. 

He would have loved that but I was one day too late.

Fred Brockwell has always been the face of the Upstagers.  His tenacity and enthusiasm in establishing the Upstagers is what kept us going in those early lean years.  Fred’s nearly singlehand efforts made us an award winning community theatre company.

Everything I learned in theatre I owe to Fred Brockwell and his number two , Chricket Gwynne.  As actors, they were both superb but learning how to technically put a show together is also an art. All I am, as an actor, director, and jack of all trades , I owe to Fred and Cricket.

I love and miss you Fred.  I hope your spirit can live on through my work.
-Gloria Culpepper