Rudy Alexander is a permanent fixture of performing arts at ECU

Rudy Alexander is a permanent fixture of performing arts at ECU

Attend any event at East Carolina University, and chances are high that Rudy Alexander '53 will be in attendance, too. And if it is a performing arts program, the very event likely exists or was influenced by the diminutive giant of the performing arts at ECU.

Alexander put the university on the map as a destination for the performing arts. For six decades, the arts series, which now bears his name, has brought world-class artists to campus and served more than a million patrons.

Future guest artists will continue to know Alexander's influence when they prepare for an ECU performance in the Rudy Alexander Green Room at Wright Auditorium. University leaders, family and friends gathered in June to honor Alexander with the naming and to celebrate his many contributions to the S. Rudolph Alexander Performing Arts Series and ECU.

"We gather to honor the enduring legacy of Rudy Alexander and his remarkable contributions to the performing arts at ECU," said Linda Kean, dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication. "From 1962 to 1995, as an assistant dean of student affairs, Rudy served ECU, working alongside ECU students and staff to bring thousands of world-class performers to this campus and to this very auditorium. His dedication over those 33 years helped establish one of the most celebrated performing arts series in our region."

Performances by the Bolshoi Symphony Orchestra, Ray Charles, A Christmas Carol, the Green Grass Cloggers and many more world-class acts all happened as part of the Alexander series. For the first 33 seasons, they were all booked by Alexander. The series, which continues today, can trace its success to Alexander's vision of presenting the best performing arts touring attractions available.

In the early 1980s, Alexander also guided the transformation of Wright Auditorium into what was then deemed, "a first-class concert hall."

The green room naming is one part of efforts Alexander's longtime friend and local broadcaster Mike Weeks spearheaded to create permanent tributes to honor Alexander's legacy. In December, Weeks established the Rudy Alexander Charitable Gift Fund Scholarship in recognition of his enduring friendship.

Lasting Tributes

The scholarship is intended to support a student majoring in the performing arts. First preference is that recipients will be from Wayne County, with demonstrated financial need.

Weeks' pledged gift will create an endowment that will fund a student's tuition and books for five years. Weeks hopes that additional gifts will also support the scholarship and increase the endowment's impact.

Weeks highlighted a remarkable journey of a "young lad from Goldsboro, who plays (or did play) the French horn, who really fell in love with the arts when he was asked one time to direct an orchestra while he was in high school." Weeks said Alexander worked at JCPenney in Goldsboro, delivered newspapers and did any other work he could to save money for college tuition. East Carolina Teachers College (ECTC) was the winner for Alexander, who continued to work while going to school.

"He loved college, and after he graduated, Uncle Sam took its toll; he did his service. And then he went to work for the Boy Scouts of America," Weeks said. Alexander was transferred to Greenville, where it turned out former Chancellor Leo Jenkins' son was a Boy Scout. That relationship led to Alexander being hired to work at ECU.

"And 33 years of investing in the performing arts series as his vision and his passion, we built a legacy that we are very proud of," Weeks said. "Rudy continues to be a great guy and continues to do all the things. He's always leading the charge."

Green Room

Kean noted Alexander's dedicated service that "transformed Wright Auditorium into a cultural destination for eastern Carolina."

"His vision laid the foundation for what has grown into a celebrated performing arts series," Kean said. "It is only fitting that this green room, the space in which artists gather before taking the stage in the series he championed, now bears his name as a permanent tribute to his extraordinary legacy."

Alexander looked on as Kean and Weeks unveiled the plaque, officially recognizing the space as the Wright Auditorium Rudy Alexander Green Room.

"I am just overwhelmed. This was a total surprise," Alexander said. "My years here were a special time for me."

"I told my children as they were growing up that I wanted them to get a good education and then get a job that you enjoy going to work every day," Alexander said. "I had that kind of job. And I had great relations with the chancellors when I worked. I didn't have to go through a whole line to get to see the chancellor. I had ready access. And they supported our series, and it was just a joy to be here and to make things happen."

Alexander said he had the privilege of serving on the International Committee of the Performing Arts, a group composed of colleges and universities in the U.S. and Canada. The committee met in New York every year in early December, providing Alexander the opportunity to form relationships with management representatives to book artists.

"I told those managers, 'You need me. If you're going to book in Washington or Atlanta, I'm midway,'" Alexander said.

With a small performance hall and a limited budget, Alexander worked to secure deals to bring performers to ECU.

"It was fun to wheel and deal. I booked a number of attractions for half the price that they were paying in Washington or Atlanta," Alexander recalled. "It worked out so well, and we were able to bring some of the great artists and ensembles of the world here."

The 65th season of his beloved Alexander series begins in September. Patrons can purchase season tickets for six shows for $180. This year includes a free bonus performance by the U.S. Marine Band. Individual tickets go on sale Aug. 3.

"It was a joy, and I was so surprised when the chancellor named the series in my honor when I retired," Alexander said. "I do hope we will keep this series going and make it bigger and better than it ever was."

Donors can support the Alexander scholarship by visiting University Advancement and designating the Rudy Alexander Scholarship Fund. To learn more about the series and this season's performances, visit the College of Fine Arts and Communication webpage.

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