I was devastated at the news. TheatreKid, I hope you continue in theatre--I spent most of my life working in tech theatre & I wouldn't give it up for anything. I didn't know I was bipolar then, but I was a high-functioning alcoholic. A producer I often worked with saved my life by confronting me with the truth, and being there to support me in recovery.

I hope you have a theatre friend like that, someone who's been there and knows the dangers, because even working backstage was stressful. So many people would try to get to the performers through the "workers" who were nobody but had the connections. I saw the stress of the paparazzi and fans and the need to stay progressing in your profession. It takes such a toll on so many. Fame is as much curse as blessing.

Add to that mental illness, and I'm grateful that Robin Williams was with us as long as he was. My heart breaks thinking of the torment he must have gone through to decide to take such a final step.

I hope he's at peace now. I am imagining Jack Benny waiting to get him aside and exchange perspectives on the essence of comedy.

He gave so much to his audience, and he also gave to folks young and sometimes older who were just getting their feet wet in theatre. I ran lights (basically follow spot) on his stage show several times, and both before and after the sets he'd spend time giving tips, listening to dreams, and lending support. The humanity of show business is less with his absence.

I'm so grateful to have all of the posts here, our own mini-tribute! Tears and laughter.

roads