★In Loving Memory ★
J. Damian Gillen
Co-Founder & Artistic Director (1964–2024)
“A consummate actor with a razor sharp wit and very gentle soul.”
The Man Behind the Curtain
Born Joseph Damian Gillen in Brooklyn, New York, he was the youngest of 10 children. Damian spent most of his early childhood on Long Island before moving with his parents to Fort Worth in 1975. He took acting classes at Casa Mañana, graduated from W.E. Boswell High School, and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos in 1989.
For over 30 years, this gifted thespian directed, produced, and wrote comedic productions for The Company Theatre, a San Antonio-based business he co-founded in 1993. Bringing his unique vision, boundless energy, and comic genius to every performance, he delighted audiences as Mark Twain, Groucho Marx, Irma Vep, a cowboy delivering “The History of Texas…in one darn easy lesson,” and the Bard in “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged).”
Bah Humbug: A Holiday Tradition
Every Christmas season was dedicated to presenting Bah Humbug, a one-man play Damian wrote and performed based on Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” His portrayal of Scrooge, Marley, and all the other characters became a holiday tradition for audiences at the famed Arneson River Theater on the San Antonio Riverwalk, at many schools, dinner theaters, and private homes.
From the small-town tales of Tuna, Texas to touching hearts as Tiny Tim, Damian’s versatility and passion were unmatched. During his career, he also performed for the San Antonio Symphony Young People’s Concert Program as well as for both the Fort Worth and Dallas Shakespeare in the Park.
“In the words of Mark Twain: ‘The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.’ Damian certainly found his ‘why’ in the laughter, stories, and moments shared on and off the stage.”
A Life Beyond the Stage
An enthusiastic camper who loved being in nature, Damian enjoyed camping in his red 1971 VW Bus. He found his dream job volunteering and living at Guadalupe River State Park, where he helped visitors learn about park resources, flora and fauna, and the park’s other attractions. Another favorite pursuit with friends was finding the perfect slice of pizza!
Known as a person of faith, generosity, and kindness, Damian brightened the lives of people not only on stage, but also in the way he treated others. His commitment to spreading joy, understanding, and compassion mirrored the teachings of his Catholic faith, which also included performances in his prison ministry.
The Magic of Making Art Together
“It’s rare in life that you meet someone who completely understands you. With whom you have a connection so deep that you know exactly what the other is thinking or will do in any given random moment. For me, that was the magic of making art with Damian. He was more than a brother to me.”
“While our audiences may have thought we were performing for them… really we were performing for each other. Much like a dance, we trusted each other implicitly. We didn’t have fancy sets, or comfortable seats, or high-tech lighting systems… but we had each other. And that was enough.”
— A tribute from a fellow Company Theatre performer
A Wealth of Love
Damian was a man of the purest heart. He loved unconditionally. And while by some standards he had little, he had exactly all he needed and was wealthier than some may ever know. He was rich with true love, true companionship, and pure joy. There was a beautiful simplicity in how he lived his life, and there was naked truth in how he loved.
That was another part of the magic… even if it was the “same” show, it was never the same show. Every rehearsal brought new jokes, new puns, new moments to highlight. “We’ve been doing this for 10 years… How have we not made THAT joke before!” And of course there were the private moments planned to spring on each other during the show—looking for moments to surprise the other on stage, knowing full well we’d take it in stride and have even more fun, all the while bringing the audience along with us.
Carrying the Torch
“This isn’t good-bye, it’s simply so long for now. As one of his close friends said, ‘He’s not gone… he’s just gone ahead.’ I know we’ll hold hands and take a bow again, some great day. This isn’t the end of anything, merely the start of a new paragraph in this wonderful story and life we get to tell.”
“May we take Damian’s example, and love like he loved. May we look for the beauty in life. It really is that simple. Be love. Be joy. Wear it on your sleeve as he did. Cherish the moments with the ones you love, and let them know daily.”
A Life on Stage
1964
Born Joseph Damian Gillen in Brooklyn, New York, the youngest of 10 children.
1975
Moved with his family to Fort Worth, Texas. Began taking acting classes at Casa Mañana.
1989
Earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos.
1993
Co-founded The Company Theatre in San Antonio, bringing dinner theatre to restaurants, churches, and community halls across Texas.
30+
Years of performances including Bah Humbug at the Arneson River Theater, the beloved Tuna series, and countless murder mysteries.
2024
Passed away April 3rd in San Antonio. “Now cracks a noble heart. Good night, sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”
“Grief, I’ve learned, is really love. It’s all the love you want to give but cannot give. The more you loved someone, the more you grieve. All of that unspent love gathers up in the corners of your eyes and in that part of your chest that gets empty and hollow feeling. The happiness of love turns to sadness when unspent. Grief is just love with no place to go.”
Grief is a memento of love. And love is always a gift.