Randy Carson, known for his work in the arts with Mostly Theatre Company and Theatre on the Edge, died early Tuesday. (Imperial Valley Press File Photo) |
Artistic, selfless, tremendously talented and thoughtful are a few of the adjectives that friends, co-workers and family used to describe longtime El Centro teacher Randy Carson, who died Tuesday morning.
“Early this morning we lost a native son of the Imperial Valley and California,” said Imperial Irrigation District Director Matt Dessert during board member comments Tuesday afternoon. Dessert is Carson’s brother-in-law, married to his sister.
Carson worked for the El Centro Elementary School District for 16 years. He taught third through eighth grades at various schools including Sunflower Elementary, Lincoln Elementary and Wilson Junior High.
Wilson principal and friend Matt Phillips said Carson had a gift for helping children who were having trouble in school. Carson taught children art and drama to find a way to make them excel at something.
“He would provide them with an opportunity to be successful,” Phillips said.
Theater was one of Carson’s passions. He was involved with Mostly Theatre Company for many years until he left about four years ago to create his own company called Theatre on the Edge.
Mostly Theatre Company board member Judith Klein-Pritchard said Carson liked to do more edgy and unconventional plays.
Charles Estrada worked with Carson as his assistant director in one of the plays and said that Carson was not a typical director.
“He allowed you to express yourself,” Estrada said. “He was very open-minded as a director, very accepting of different views.”
Phillips said that in his spare time Carson worked on animal rescue, at his church and at the playhouse.
“He is the kind of person who makes life better because he is part of it,” Phillips said.
Multimedia Producer Laura Gonzalez can be reached at 760-337-3440 or lgonzalez@ivpressonline.com
“Early this morning we lost a native son of the Imperial Valley and California,” said Imperial Irrigation District Director Matt Dessert during board member comments Tuesday afternoon. Dessert is Carson’s brother-in-law, married to his sister.
Carson worked for the El Centro Elementary School District for 16 years. He taught third through eighth grades at various schools including Sunflower Elementary, Lincoln Elementary and Wilson Junior High.
Wilson principal and friend Matt Phillips said Carson had a gift for helping children who were having trouble in school. Carson taught children art and drama to find a way to make them excel at something.
“He would provide them with an opportunity to be successful,” Phillips said.
Theater was one of Carson’s passions. He was involved with Mostly Theatre Company for many years until he left about four years ago to create his own company called Theatre on the Edge.
Mostly Theatre Company board member Judith Klein-Pritchard said Carson liked to do more edgy and unconventional plays.
Charles Estrada worked with Carson as his assistant director in one of the plays and said that Carson was not a typical director.
“He allowed you to express yourself,” Estrada said. “He was very open-minded as a director, very accepting of different views.”
Phillips said that in his spare time Carson worked on animal rescue, at his church and at the playhouse.
“He is the kind of person who makes life better because he is part of it,” Phillips said.
Multimedia Producer Laura Gonzalez can be reached at 760-337-3440 or lgonzalez@ivpressonline.com
