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'''Stanley Alan Keilson''' (June 28, 1925 – October 15, 2018) was an educator and theatre arts figure in his adopted city of [[Laredo]], [[Texas]].

'''Stanley Alan Keilson''' (June 28, 1925 – October 15, 2018) was an educator and theatre arts figure in his adopted city of [[Laredo]], [[Texas]].

A native of [[Cleveland, Ohio|Cleveland]], [[Ohio]], Keilson was the older of two son of a [[Jewish]] couple,  Charles Keilson and the former Estelle Hurwitz. In 1939, the family moved to [[San Antonio]] Texas,where he graduated there from Jefferson High School in May 1943, just in time for induction into the [[United States Army]] in [[World War II]]. He was stationed in the [[Philippines]], with training on the island of [[Luzon]] in preparation for the invasion of [[Japan]]. During his military service, Keilson received the Good Conduct, National Defense, Victory, World War II Victory, and Asiatic-Pacific Campaign medals.<ref name=obit>{{cite web|url=https://www.lmtonline.com/obituaries/article/STANLEY-A-KEILSON-13315093.php|title=Stanley A. Keilson|publisher=''The Laredo Morning Times''|date=October 16, 2018|accessdate=October 27, 2018}}</ref>

A native of [[Cleveland, Ohio|Cleveland]], [[Ohio]], Keilson was the older of two son of a [[Jewish]] couple,  Charles Keilson and the former Estelle Hurwitz. In 1939, the family moved to [[San Antonio]] Texas,where he graduated there from Jefferson High School in May 1943, just in time for induction into the [[United States Army]] in [[World War II]]. He was stationed in the [[Philippines]], with training on the island of Luzon in preparation for the invasion of [[Japan]]. During his military service, Keilson received the Good Conduct, National Defense, Victory, World War II Victory, and Asiatic-Pacific Campaign medals.<ref name=obit>{{cite web|url=https://www.lmtonline.com/obituaries/article/STANLEY-A-KEILSON-13315093.php|title=Stanley A. Keilson|publisher=''The Laredo Morning Times''|date=October 16, 2018|accessdate=October 27, 2018}}</ref>

After his war years, Keilson enrolled at the [[University of Texas]] in [[Austin]] and at Trinity University in San Antonio, from which he was actively involved in drama and received his [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree.  He left for [[New York City]], where he obtained his master's degree in 1952 at [[Columbia University]]. Thereafter, he began work in summer stock in upstate [[New York]]. He was a student of Broadway star Gertrude Lawrence (1898-1952). He attended many Broadway plays and watched, among others, Jessica Tandy (1909-1994) in the prime of her career.<ref name=obit/>

After his war years, Keilson enrolled at the [[University of Texas]] in [[Austin]] and at Trinity University in San Antonio, from which he was actively involved in drama and received his [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree.  He left for [[New York City]], where he obtained his master's degree in 1952 at [[Columbia University]]. Thereafter, he began work in summer stock in upstate [[New York]]. He was a student of Broadway star Gertrude Lawrence (1898-1952). He attended many Broadway plays and watched, among others, Jessica Tandy (1909-1994) in the prime of her career.<ref name=obit/>

In 1952, Keilson joined the faculty of Laredo College, then in its sixth year of operation and known as Laredo Junior College. He was named theatre director and chairman of Department of Speech and Drama.<ref name=obit/> Working with Hortense Offerle, a [[Julliard School]] graduate who headed the Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.corporationwiki.com/p/30w160/hortense-offerle|title=Hortense Offerle|publisher=Corporationwiki.com|accessdate=October 27, 2018}}</ref> revived the Laredo Little Theatre. He played Henry Higgins in the  1965 production of ''My Fair Lady'', Willie Loman in ''[[Death of a Salesman]]'', and as Henry the [[Shakespeare]]an actor in ''The Fantasticks.'' He retired from Laredo Junior College in 1985 but taught part-time thereafter until 1992.<ref name=obit/>

In 1952, Keilson joined the faculty of Laredo College, then in its sixth year of operation and known as Laredo Junior College. He was named theatre director and chairman of Department of Speech and Drama.<ref name=obit/> Working with Hortense Offerle, a [[Juilliard School]] graduate who headed the Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.corporationwiki.com/p/30w160/hortense-offerle|title=Hortense Offerle|publisher=Corporationwiki.com|accessdate=October 27, 2018}}</ref> revived the Laredo Little Theatre. He played Henry Higgins in the  1965 production of ''My Fair Lady'', Willie Loman in ''[[Death of a Salesman]]'', and as Henry the [[Shakespeare]]an actor in ''The Fantasticks.'' He retired from Laredo Junior College in 1985 but taught part-time thereafter until 1992.<ref name=obit/>

Keilson emphasized that the actor should as much as possible be himself. He encouraged actors to move around so the audience could get a better look at them. According to one of his students, Gayle Aker Rodriguez, Keilson was an excellent educator who gave her great advice: "He was a Laredo theater icon, very unique, the nicest, most loving and wonderful man."<ref name=lmt>{{cite web|url=https://www.lmtonline.com/local/article/Local-theater-icon-Stanley-Alan-Keilson-13314115.php|title=Local theater icon Stanley Alan Keilson remembered for directing, acting accomplishments|publisher=''The Laredo Mornng Times''|author=César Rodriguez|date=October 17, 2018|accessdarte=October 27, 2010}}</ref>

Keilson emphasized that the actor should as much as possible be himself. He encouraged actors to move around so the audience could get a better look at them. According to one of his students, Gayle Aker Rodriguez, Keilson was an excellent educator who gave her great advice: "He was a Laredo theater icon, very unique, the nicest, most loving and wonderful man."<ref name=lmt>{{cite web|url=https://www.lmtonline.com/local/article/Local-theater-icon-Stanley-Alan-Keilson-13314115.php|title=Local theater icon Stanley Alan Keilson remembered for directing, acting accomplishments|publisher=''The Laredo Mornng Times''|author=César Rodriguez|date=October 17, 2018|accessdarte=October 27, 2010}}</ref>

During Keilson's 92nd birthday celebration in 2017, his friend Joe Arciniega said that Keilson was extraordinary on stage, "the best actor I have ever seen live."<ref name=lmt/>

During Keilson's 92nd birthday celebration in 2017, his friend Joe Arciniega said that Keilson was extraordinary on stage, "the best actor I have ever seen live."<ref name=lmt/> In 2014, Keilson was named “Icon of the Arts” by the Laredo Theater Guild International for his contribution to the arts, artists and education. He is also honored with the Stanley A. Keilson Memorial Scholarship Fund established with the Laredo Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 450223, in Laredo.<ref name=obit/>

In 2014, Keilson was named “Icon of the Arts” by the Laredo Theater Guild International for his contribution to the arts, artists and education. He is also honored with the Stanley A. Keilson Memorial Scholarship Fund established with the Laredo Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 450223, in Laredo.<ref name=obit/>

Keilson died at his Laredo residence at the age of ninety-three. His brother, Dr. Gerald Robert Keilson, died in [[Dallas]], Texas, the day before Stanley Keilson's own passing. Keilson is survived by cousins, Sunny Wager, Ivan Hurwitz, Syndei Levin, Jeri Sorosky, Sandy Hurwitz, Jill MacLaine, and Donny Hurwitz, and nephews, Mark and David Keilson.  He is interred at Temple Beth-El Memorial Park, 1715 Austin Highway in San Antonio.<ref name=obit/>

 

Keilson's brother, Dr. Gerald Robert Keilson, died in [[Dallas]], Texas, the day before Keilson's own passing at the age of ninety-three at his residence in Laredo. Keilson is survived by cousins, Sunny Wager, Ivan Hurwitz, Syndei Levin, Jeri Sorosky, Sandy Hurwitz, Jill MacLaine, and Donny Hurwitz, and nephews, Mark and David Keilson.  He is interred at Temple Beth-El Memorial Park, 1715 Austin Highway in San Antonio.<ref name=obit/>

==References==

==References==

[[Category:United States Army]]

[[Category:United States Army]]

[[Category:World War II]]

[[Category:World War II]]

[[Category:Jewish Americans]]

[[Category:American Jews]]