ROBERTA REED CRENSHAW

“Bobbie”,  as she was known to her friends and family, was the single most important friend we ever had. She believed in 1976, hosting our first ever board of directors meeting at Reed Manor with Les Gage as our first president. Bobbie, on her own, raised money for the restoration of each of the six opera boxes which had been torn out in 1930.

The game changer, though, was when she and her two daughters, Roberta and Lucy, donated their interest in the land and theatre to the organization. Without this, the theatre would have never qualified for the Department of Commerce EDA grants which funded 95% of the restoration. We had to prove “ownership” or no deal.  That act of philanthropy unlocked $1.85 million of federal funds.

Her grace, heart, and modest nature endured her to all who claimed her as friend, confidant, patron and muse. There is so much more to tell. I loved her because she saw me as a person and a friend. I loved her for a lot more reasons than that. What a gift she was to the Paramount and so many other arts organizations including Umlauf Gardens, The Austin Parks Board, the Civic Ballet, the Austin Symphony, Reed Park, the Hike and Bike Trail at Ladybird Lake and so much more.

We will always remember. And we will always miss you and Charlie, Sr. God Bless you, Bobbie!!

BOBBIE CRENSHAW – PAINTER EXTRAORDINAIRE

Roberta (Bobbie) Crenshaw, a long time supporter of the Paramount restoration and rejuvenation process, had just attended a board meeting in the front lobby of the theatre. Painters were on scaffolding in the second lobby sprucing up the walls. The painters were supposed to use a technique to “umber” the walls giving them an old patina. When Bobby saw what they were doing, she said, “Stop”. She then climbed the scaffolding in high heels, dressed to the nine’s, took the sponge from the painter and proceeded to show him the right way to umber a wall. Bobbie was the most hands on board member we ever had in those first 12 tumultuous years.