In Memoriam; Corky Boyd

John Cummings "Corky" Boyd, died on May 7. He was 50. He was born in Portland, Oregon, where he also grew up. He obtained a bachelor of arts degree in economics from Northwestern University, then got a master of fine arts degree, in technical design and production, from Yale School of Drama.

Boyd was a longtime employee of Hudson Scenic Studio, beginning there in the early 1990s and eventually being named senior vice president, overseeing project management and sales. He worked on a broad range of productions, including Aladdin, Hamilton, Matilda, and Billy Elliot. Hit productions spawned additional companies, which he would typically oversee; for example, he handled productions of The Lion King on five continents. Other credits included the Times Square Ball, which is dropped on New Year's Eve and various industrial and film projects.

Boyd, an Eagle Scout in his youth, was also an avid sailor; he was a former Commodore of the Cedarhurst Yacht Club. He was also a visiting lecturer at Yale School of Drama.

Corky is survived by his wife Christine, son William, his mother Bette, father Larry and stepmother Linda, his brothers and their families. A funeral mass was held on May 12. On May 9, as the curtain went up on Aladdin, Disney Theatricals honored Boyd with a marquee celebrating his life.