Elaine Hunter Meyers, Beloved UNCA Acting Teacher, will be
Mourned by Faculty, Friends

Elaine Hunter Meyers, who taught hundreds of UNCA theatre majors the fine points of acting, died today. She was 65. Meyers, who retired from UNCA in 1998, was a formative figure in the development of UNCA's Drama Department.

Meyers studied acting at Boston University in 1954-56 and then
continued her studies in New York. She was in a number of
off-Broadway productions, including Edward Albee's Theatre 65
production of "The Temporary." She was a resident member of the
Henry Street Playhouse from 1961 to 1965 and performed in 10 of the company's productions. She was also a cast member of several
children's theatre tours in New York. 

A native of Asheville, she later returned home with her husband, Henry Meyers, and enrolled at UNCA in 1979, earning a bachelor's degree in drama in 1982. Arnold Wengrow, chair of UNCA's Drama Department at that time, had already spotted Meyers' talent as both an actor and a teacher and asked her to join the department to lead its acting track.

"I recognized, as an older student, she had not only the maturity that older students bring but that she had unique professional training and experience. She had studied at Boston University, one of the top drama conservatories in the country, and had something that I think is important for acting 
teachers: professional experience in New York. So when a temporary vacancy occurred, even though she was an undergrad, I asked her to fill in. As soon as she graduated, we made sure that she would stay on to add substance to our program."

A revered acting teacher, Meyers was presented UNCA's 1997 Distinguished Teacher Award for Part-Time Faculty. Her students praised her energy, warmth and her gentle but instructive critiques of their work.

"She was one of the most caring people I ever worked with, and you could see it through her work on stage as well," said Rob Bowen, chair of UNCA's Drama Department. "Her students all appreciated her, and it was a pleasure to know her."

Media Contacts:

• Merianne Epstein, UNCA Public Information Director, 828/251-6676
• Jill Yarnall, UNCA Public Information Assistant Director, 828/251-6526