In Memory of

Gwenne Godwin

It is with a heavy heart that we share that Gwenne Godwin passed away over the weekend. Gwenne was best known in the Hyde Park School of Dance community as our beloved Production Stage Manager, a role she held for over a decade.

The impact Gwenne has made not only on HPSD but on the entire Chicago dance community will be forever remembered. Gwenne was a truly remarkable individual, sharing her passion and expertise with generations of dancers and families. We are so lucky to have had her in our lives; she will be tremendously missed. With her untimely passing, we lost a huge piece of the heart of HPSD. 

Our upcoming performances of Alice in Wonderland will be dedicated to Gwenne. We will share more information about the additional ways in which we will honor Gwenne’s memory in the near future. We are also working on resources for support as we process this devastating news as a community.

“My teacher used to say ‘Everyone is replaceable’ and I used to think she was right as far as the entertainment business is concerned. Now with Gwenne Godwin’s untimely passage I am sure that there are exceptions and that Gwenne is one of them. Gwenne was one of those people who cared deeply about each person's experience during a performance, from the littlest dancer to the seniors, the crew, the costume team, and the artistic team she always sought to make it the best show possible. She worked with me on budgets and finding ways to make things happen often by doing many extra things herself. But most of all she was a good friend and comrade. I will miss her deeply and always. RIP Ms. Gwenne.”- August Tye, Artistic Director

Production Stage Manager, Gwenne Godwin

Nutcracker 2023

Photo: Marc Monaghan

A loss like this will not soon be forgotten.

In Gwenne’s memory, please cherish every day you are blessed with on this earth.