David Allen George -- Good Night Sweet Prince!
Dr. Sherri Raftery & David Allen George (DAG)
September 2026
This week, one of my former Theatre professors, White (Whizz) from Salem State University (SSU), posted:
“The world just lost another Brilliant Light!”
As soon as I saw the photo, my heart skipped a beat. I gasped.
I typed: “Not Fair!”
I have known David most of my life—41 years (this month!)—since enrolling as a Theatre major at Salem State University in 1985.
I attended Salem State for two years before transferring to Emerson in 1987, but those two years were incredibly impactful.
I learned so many aspects of Theatre as a student in David’s Directing course and as his Assistant to the Director when he directed Lysistrata.
David would often say:
“Less is More.”
Three simple words.
Yet somehow, David could say so much with so little—and make it so impactful.
After all, as Shakespeare reminds us: “All the world’s a stage.”
And DAG, Whizz, and numerous others in the Theatre Department helped build an incredible legacy with the Theatre and Musical Theatre Program at Salem State, including the state-of-the-art Sophia Gordon Theatre.
In 2018, I was hired as a professor to teach three Public Speaking courses at SSU.
I remember walking into the faculty office, and David hugged me and simply said:
“Welcome Home.”
Those two words said so much.
That was David. Few words. Big impact. And bright blue eyes.
Over the years, I enjoyed attending numerous SSU productions in the Main Stage and Callahan Studio, as well as SSU Theatre & Speech Alumni events, and reconnecting with DAG.
I am especially grateful that SSU hosted a gathering in May 2026 to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the SSU Theatre Department.
Seeing DAG and Whizz together, sharing stories—always a treat with these two masterpieces! ❤️
And now, looking back, I am incredibly grateful that I got to see David one more time—and he met my grandson.
Shakespeare said it best:
“Parting is such sweet sorrow.”
I imagine your late wife, Pam, with open arms saying:
“Welcome Home.”
After 41 years, I bid you farewell—as my professor, mentor, colleague, and friend.
“Good night, sweet prince.”
ðŸŽ❤️
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