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Pat Kopp Leaves with a Big Production:

UPE Director bids farewell with Naughty Marietta

After 35 years at CSU, Chico, Patrick W. Kopp is retiring as director of University Public Events (UPE) in December. He is currently directing the comedic operetta Naughty Marietta which will open September 13 and run through September 17.

Kopp, a moving force behind many of the programs for which the university has become known, including Court Theatre and the UPE Field Trip series, is no stranger to directing large-scale musicals. His credits as a director include La Cage Aux Folles in 1997, Hello Dolly in 1995, and Oklahoma in 1993.

Naughty Marietta is a fitting way to end his career. "I love directing," said Kopp. "It is one of my vocations. I love the creative process -- having an idea in my head and putting it into action on stage and then conveying it to an audience."

Kopp, who studied theatre at San Francisco State University during a time he called a "golden age," came to Chico in 1964. He met and married his wife, Jerilldean, a student at the time, now a well-known Chico artist.

Kopp interviewed with then chair of the theatre department, Allen Forbes, and the coordinator of the theatre, Larry Wismer, for a position as resident stage manager and light designer. He was in the department in that role for 11 years and also taught classes in both technical theatre and acting. In 1975, he became what was then the coordinator of instructionally related activities.

In 1982, right after the upgrade of Laxson Auditorium, then President Robin Wilson asked Kopp if it were possible to bring some performing artists to Chico. Kopp said, "We can try." That is how the presenting side of UPE began.

Kopp talked about the philosophy he has used as a director, actor, and presenter as something he first heard from Red Skelton over 45 years ago in a live performance: "If by doing what I have done -- directing, acting, presenting, lighting, whatever -- that contribution has made a person, or persons, forget their troubles for a period of time and enjoy life that much more, then it is all worthwhile." -- KM/EL