06/27/2019
Earlier this week we were deeply saddened to learn of the unexpected passing of Antoinette “Toni” Elderkin.
During the early years of GCI, Toni was our stage manager/light board operator/sound board operator/run crew/behind-the-scenes technical wizard. She was an unbelievably talented theatrical technician and jack-of-all-trades technical improviser who simultaneously adjusted light cues and ran our sound board on the fly to match and enhance the mood and context of what was happening onstage. She was a consummate professional among a sea of rambunctious, unpolished, twenty-something amateur comedians who treated us just as she would any career theatrical artist on the Geva stages.
Her sense of humor and timing were impeccable, and through all of the inevitable chaos of an improvised performance (both on and offstage), she remained unwaveringly calm and completely in control. She routinely went above and beyond her “official” job duties and professional expectations to assist us in bringing to the stage whatever impractical reality-eclipsing concept we had come up with. She never once dismissed an “impossible” idea without first rolling up her sleeves and giving it everything she had. She was fully invested in the work that we were doing, genuinely cared about the show, the audience experience, and the cast. To her, it didn’t matter that we were only a $7 improv show that began long after Geva’s subscribers had left the building and virtually all of the other staff had gone home for the night – it was a performance like any other that deserved 100% of her time, artistry, and attention.
Toni was adept and masterful at her craft. She was a soothing presence and a kind and gentle soul. She was a treasured colleague who was an absolute joy to work with and to be around. She was an invaluable unseen member of the Geva Comedy Improv cast for many years.
At the curtain call of every show, we’d always prompt our audience to “give it up for Toni in the booth”. For years, literally 100+ shows, she sat quietly out of the spotlight in the dark of the NextStage tech booth while the GCI audience applauded. If you were ever present in our audience during those early years this is “Toni in the booth”. This is who humbly gave of her time, talent, and expertise to enrich our performances and our lives in countless subtle and substantial ways - this is who you were clapping for and we will miss her immensely.
Antoinette Y. Elderkin “Toni” – June 21, 2019 Posted on June 22, 2019 by Dougherty Funeral Homes Conesus/Rochester: Toni passed unexpectedly on June 21, 2019 at age 55. Predeceased by her father Irving Elderkin. She is survived by her mother Dorothy Elderkin and sister Constance Rice both of C...
