Actor and artist Michael Dayton plays the title role in American Stage's production of "Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol" in December 2005.
ST. PETERSBURG - Well known local actor Michael Dayton passed away from cancer on May 8 at St. Anthony's Hospital in St. Petersburg at the age of 61. He is survived by his brother Noel Dayton of Texas and his partner Leif Cain of St. Petersburg.
A memorial to celebrate Dayton's life is planned for Monday, June 5, 6:30 p.m., at American Stage Theatre Company in St. Petersburg, 211 Third St. S. Fans and friends are all welcome to attend this special event that will celebrate Dayton's life and great body of work.
As well as being a fan favorite actor at American Stage, Mr. Dayton was a designer, stage manager and scenic painter. His final role at American Stage was as Jacob Marley in "Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol" in December 2005. Before his illness, he was portraying Cogsworth in "Beauty and the Beast" at the Golden Apple Dinner Theatre.
He was born Oct. 19, 1944 in Troy, NY and moved to St. Petersburg as a boy. He graduated from Boca Ciega High School and spent more than 40 years in the theatre industry working as an actor, singer, dancer, puppeteer, scenic painter, designer, teacher, stage manager and director.
In New York City he worked for the Cargill Theatre Company for many years mounting countless shows as a director and choreographer across the country. He also worked for Puppet-works in New York as a set designer and puppeteer touring the country with shows using a variety of puppets.
Off-Broadway, Mr. Dayton was seen as Abbott Suger in the South Street Theater production of "Eternal Love." Other New York credits include "The Madness of Lady Bright," "Merry-Go-Roundelay," "Three Penny Opera," "A Man for All Seasons" and Louisiana Summer."
Other American Stage credits include Gremio in "The Taming of the Shrew;" Dean Strauss in "Spinning into Butter;" and the Rev. Chasuble in "The Importance of Being Earnest."
He served as stage manager for American Stage productions of "I Left My Heart" and My Way: A Tribute to Frank Sinatra."
Mr. Dayton was also an award-winning artist who designed the sets for the American Stage productions. He also served as a summer camp teaching artist at American Stage instructing students in the craft of puppetry.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to American Stage, Attn. Julie Rowe, P.O. Box 1560, St. Petersburg, FL 33731. All donations will be sent in Dayon's's name to The Actors' Fund of America. The Fund is a not-for-profit national human services organization that helps entertainment and performing arts professionals in theater, film, music, opera, television and dance through a broad spectrum of social, health, employment and housing programs that address their essential and critical needs.
To honor his work at American Stage, the theatre's Education Department has created a Summer Camp Scholarship in his name. The Scholarship will be awarded to one camper each year to enable them to attend American Stage Summer Camp at no cost to them. The first recipient is Nehemiah Sonnylal who will be a camper at Puppetry Fun Under the Florida Sun.
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