Todd School Coach Anthony Roskie and Orson Welles’ ‘The Stranger’

Our attention is focused on Woodstock, Illinois, with the 80th anniversary celebration of the 1934 Todd Theatre Festival set for this weekend. Welles’ spent much of childhood at the Todd School for Boys and his affection for the school, headmaster Roger Hill and Woodstock is well-documented. Asked once where he considered home, Welles replied, “I […]

Woodstock library to exhibit photos of Orson Welles at Todd School for Boys

Vintage photographs depicting “Life at Todd School for Boys” will be on display at the Woodstock Public Library from May 15 to June 1. Orson Welles attended the private boarding school in Illinois from 1926 to 1931. The library’s display will include photographs of Welles during his years at Todd School. The school opened in […]

Beatrice Welles interview – Part 2: Orson Welles early ‘autobiography’ found, art exhibit planned, ‘Othello’ on Blu-ray, and fate of ‘Chimes at Midnight’

By RAY KELLY Beatrice Welles’ decision to put more than 70 items belonging to her late father, Orson Welles, on the auction block later this month drew national attention when it was announced Monday. Most of the items were found in two trunks, which had been left unopened for nearly 50 years. She detailed the […]

Citizen Welles Society of Kenosha to mark centennial of Orson Welles’ birth in 2015

Updated on January 26: The Citizen Welles Society of Kenosha informs us it will hold its next meeting on March 6. The group is eyeing the possibility of a series of event, which would kick-off with the 100th anniversary of Orson Welles’ birth on May 6 and continue through October. _______ Residents of Orson Welles’ […]

Michael Dawson interview: Part 3 – Woodstock Celebrates and ‘Citizen Welles’

By MIKE TEAL “Othello” restoration producer Michael Dawson concludes his interview with Wellesnet with a discussion of the plans for a celebration in Woodstock, Illinois, for the 2015 centennial of Orson Welles’s birth, and also discusses his documentary “Citizen Welles.” What is Woodstock Celebrates? Woodstock Celebrates is a nonprofit organization formed to make better known […]

Kickstarter campaign launched for 80th anniversary celebration of Orson Welles’ Todd Theatre Festival in Woodstock. Illinois, May 16-17, 2014

Editor’s note: A Kickstarter campaign has been launched by the non-oprofit Woodstock Celebrates Inc. for a May 16-17, 2014 event celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Todd Theatre Festival. You can make donations and learn more at their Kickstarter page. By WOODSTOCK CELEBRATES INC. Orson Welles often stated that he owed his creative spirit to […]