In Memoriam: Claremarie Verheyen
It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the passing of Claremarie Verheyen. Upon her arrival in 1988, Verheyen served as an Associate Professor at the School of Theatre & Dance, profoundly impacting countless students through her mentorship and inspiration. In her multifaceted role, she excelled as a principal costume and makeup designer, instructor, and technician, while also imparting her knowledge in teaching costume history and costume design.
Verheyen's passion for community theater extended far beyond the classroom, leading her to collaborate with esteemed institutions such as Unity Theatre, the Alley Theatre, Opera in the Heights, and many more. Her creative talents knew no bounds, reaching audiences beyond Texas, including her notable contributions to the Notre Dame Shakespeare Initiative in Indiana and various productions in New York.
Beyond her artistic contributions, Verheyen's dedication to the theater community was evident through her involvement in numerous advisory boards, including The Costume Society of America, The Houston Community College of Fashion, and The Texas Educational Theater Association, among others.
Her legacy extends far beyond the University of Houston, as she guided countless young artists towards professional careers in theaters and the arts nationwide. Verheyen's impact on the theater world cannot be overstated; her spirit, expertise, and mentorship will be deeply missed, but her influence will continue to resonate for generations to come.
There will be a Celebration of Life on April 29th at the University of Houston, Jose Quintero Lab Theater at 6pm. In lieu of flowers she requests donations be made to: Catholic Newman Center at U of Houston, The American Kidney Foundation, The Red Hat Society or the United States Institute for Theater Technology (USITT).