1974 Marlene Sonis and Jimmy Marcus

· Graduated 1974 from Point Park

· Headed Midwest (Joke from Midwest – Ohio, Illinois, Idaho, Iowa?) to University of Iowa, Iowa City. MFA program in Acting. Assistantships teaching Acting and working with renowned Playwrights Workshop.

· Married December 1975

· Graduated MFA program 1976

· Realized our training at the Playhouse was superb!

· Interviewed with several schools trying to share 1 teaching position. That was almost unheard of in 1976.

· Jimmy hired as a guest artist at Illinois State University teaching Voice and Speech. Marlene went back to school majoring in Early Childhood and Creative Drama. (talk about being poor!)

· Alan Clarey recruited Jimmy to Webster Conservatory in St. Louis, Missouri to teach Voice/Speech and Dynamics.

· Marlene taught Acting and performed at several venues in and around St. Louis.

· Marlene’s 2 “claims to fame” are acting opposite Stubby Kaye in “Last of the Red Hot Lovers” and Billie Bird (old Vaudvillian) in “Arsenic and Old Lace.” Marlene joined AEA.

· 1979 moved back to Pittsburgh. Jimmy became a “schmata” salesman while Marlene looked for teaching positions.

· Jimmy and Marlene became independent sales reps and created “Beacon Street Accessories.” Represented 2 accessory lines and worked with major department stores in W. PA, Ohio and West Virginia.

· 1985 Jimmy joined PaineWebber (now UBS) as financial advisor. Marlene took over the accessory business.

· Marlene joined and performed with “The New Group Theater” (Marty Giles, artistic director)

· October 8, 1990 Andrew Morris Marcus was born. Our precious son enters the Marcus home October 10^th. We are in love!

· Jimmy continues to be a successful vice president and financial advisor at UBS.

· Marlene now teaches 18 month olds and 2 year olds at Rodef Shalom Preschool. She has taught there for 10 years. Marlene also coaches actors for auditions.

As an aside, just want to say: Joe Nassif, Alan Clarey, Thom Thomas, Cecil Kitkat and Jim Prescott (Cecil and Jim wherever you are): Thank You!