A Small Tribute to Beloved Lubbock Actor and Director Pat Price

One of the most prolific actors in Lubbock's theater community, Pat Price, died tragically yesterday, August 17th, 2022 after a brief illness. He was only 50 years old and celebrated his birthday not long ago.

Friends, family, and members of the local theater scene are completely devastated at the loss, and Facebook has been filled with tears and wonderful memories about Pat.

Pat Price spent decades performing on stage for the people of Lubbock. He was an incredible actor and, chances are, if you've seen any local performances over the years, you've seen him. He had a passion for acting, directing, and most of all: Shakespeare.

I met Pat when I was about 11 or 12 years old during my first theatrical performance at CATS Playhouse's Macbeth. He was kind and warmhearted and helpful. I was slightly nervous to be in a play that mainly consisted of adults, but he never made me feel like I was just a little kid. I felt like part of the team from the very beginning. I performed in dozens of shows as a teenager in Lubbock and my absolute favorite was a CATS production of The Outsiders. He directed it like a champion and was able to manage a bunch of rowdy kids, even if that meant throwing a shoe to get us to be quiet, something we all still joke about to this day.

Local actor, director, playwright, Lubbock theater legend and dear friend Tim McIntire shared a wonderful tribute to Pat:

"Live stage theater is one of those strange art forms that after the run is over, the set is struck, and the last performer turns the lights off and leaves the theater, little remains but the memories created.

Few who have never participated know the time, energy, and thought it takes to bring a play to life for those few short minutes on stage and in front of an audience.

But for those, like Pat Price, who shared that passion it is something that creates a bond between performers that brings them back over and over again.

May his talent and creative sense of humor, which he shared willingly for years, be his legacy. May the laughter and even tears he brought for those who were entertained by his performances live on in their memories.

He shared his talent and creativity with those who worked with him freely for many years.

I believe the shadow of that passion for the art, his fun sense of humor, and his willingness to share his experience with those he worked with will be a legacy that lasts long into the future."

Pat had a zest for theater and was always looking for ways to make productions bigger and better. He was recently excited to bring back "Shakespeare In The Park" after a long hiatus. Hundreds of people would gather at Wagner Park with lawn chairs and enjoy a big Shakespeare production together. I can still remember walking to the park with my family as a child and getting so excited to watch the actors perform. Later in life, I performed alongside Pat in the very same park and felt like a total rock star.

This is a big loss for Lubbock. The theater community here locally will never be quite the same without him. My sincere condolences to all of his friends, family, and loved ones. He will never be forgotten.

Thank you, Pat, for sharing your passion with the rest of us. Until we meet again.