David Semonin

I was a new, fresh faced kid to New York when I came in looking for a job at the Drama Book Shoppe many years ago. That was when I first met David Semonin. He sent me in the right direction, and was so immediately supportive that I may have actually been suspicious if it were anyone else. But David had such a genuine soul that there was never a second thought.

Through the years David could always be counted on as an enthusiastic supporter of any and all of my endeavors. He came to all of my shows (the hits and the stinkers), and once even traveled two hours to the Bronx. He'd sit for hours as an attentive audience as I tried new monologues on him, never tiring, and eager to see things again in order to help me improve my work. He didn't have a cynical bone in his body, was always kind and encouraging with his words, and inspired confidence with an embracing joy of the artistic process on a level that's so rare to find.

On a personal level he was a friend who never wavered. When things were rough for me financially he created the “rotating ten dollar bill” - as long as I repaid it when I had the cash he always had a ten spot ready for me if I needed it. In fact the last time I saw him he made the offer again. In spite of his own illness and whatever he was suffering he was more concerned with how I was doing, and actively showed his support and interest in my life. It felt good that I could tell him that I was doing just fine.

When I became David's roommate for a short time I witnessed his full time passion for the arts and theatre. He'd video tape programs on the arts to archive for his students and friends, taking enormous time to collect and edit them. There's so much I would never have seen if David had not taken the trouble to do this. But it wasn't trouble for him; it was his life.

As I got to know David through the years I discovered that my experience with him was not unique. He actively sought to make a difference and create whatever opportunities he could for every young, aspiring artist he met. He did make that difference, and then some. I also know that as I continue in these endeavors David will be looking down on me with the same encouragement and non judgmental support he had always been so generous with, as he will for all of us. And the only thing he would have us do in return is pass the same enduring, fervent support to any committed hopeful artist who did not have the pleasure of knowing him. David Semonin made more of a difference than he realized. He created a legacy that lives on in all of the many lives he touched.

Thank you, David.

David's Obituary