Del Close

Mythologizer. Instigator. Goer-between.

Began his stage career by joining a traveling carnival.

Was hired as a member of the Compass Players' original St. Louis cast in 1957.

Eventually joined The Second City to run workshops and direct a series of revues. Though interpersonal issues would limit his success at the theater itself, his teaching and directing were almost universally lauded.

Charna Halpern, looking to revitalize her short-form theater, approached Del with the opportunity to spearhead its relaunch. Together, they formalized the first curriculum for training Harold Teams.

Would continue his work at the iO until his death in 1999.

Was not much of a writer, and did not leave much work behind. The one major exception is a series of autobiographical stories in the comic series _Wasteland_, published by DC from 1987 to 1989. According to Del, each tale is "reasonably true, altered only to make it a better story and, thus, truer." (from "That's Entertainment", Wasteland #2)