News

Family sets 'Midnight Studio' tribute to Bruce Bailey

Bruce Bailey died on Aug. 2.

By Bill Moss, Published: August 27, 2015

Family members have announced a “Midnight Studio” tribute to Bruce Roma Bailey, the longtime Flat Rock Playhouse technical director who died  unexpectedly on Aug. 2 at his home in Fort Myers, Fla, at age 60.

Bailey cofounded the Friday night tradition that showcases the talents of summer apprentices and Equity actors. Friends, family and the Vagabond nation will celebrate his life with a tribute at 7:17 p.m. in the Playhouse rehearsal hall in Flat Rock.

A native of Vicksburg, Miss., Bailey attended Delta State University, where he studied English and Theatre. In the early 1980s, Bruce moved to Flat Rock, where he served as an apprentice at the Flat Rock Playhouse. It was during his apprenticeship on the “Rock” that he met Wendy Wilkins, a Henderson County native and popular local actress.

In 1992, after Wendy and Bruce married, they relocated to Orlando where both worked for Walt Disney World while raising their two daughters, Sydney and Katie. They moved back to Hendersonville to work at the Flat Rock Playhouse in 1996 and were blessed with a third daughter, Molly in 1997.

After Wendy’s death, Bruce raised the three girls alone while continuing his job as technical director at the Flat Rock Playhouse. He left Flat Rock in 2013 and became production manager at Florida Repertory Theatre shortly after. Bruce was a wonderful friend, professional, and most importantly, a loving father. He was incredibly proud of his daughters and made sure everyone knew it.

He was also preceded in death by his father, Norvin Bailey; wife Wendy, who died in 1999; a brother, Travis Bailey; a sister, Donna Dunehew, and a father-in-law, George Wilkins.

He is survived by his mother, Jo Bailey of Arkansas; three daughters, Sydney Bailey, of Hendersonville, Katie Bailey Collazo, and her husband of Fayetteville, and Molly Bailey, of Hendersonville; two grandchildren, Hayes and Luke; two brothers, Cecil and Richard, as well as many loving in-laws, nieces, nephews and countless friends.

Memorial donations may be made to the Bruce Bailey Fund created in GoFundMe by Scott Treadway.