Krekow, Reinhardt 1958-2005

KREKOW

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 6/29/2010 at 13:33:59

Reinhardt Krekow (1958 - 2005)

Reinhardt David Krekow was born 18 August 1958. He received his master's degree in vocal performance at the University of Iowa. While a student at Iowa, he participated in the Iowa Summer Repertory theatre, Okoboji Summer Theatre, and Red Barn Theatre. Following his training, he moved to California where he worked in opera, musical theatre, cabaret, radio jingles, TV commercials, and children's theatre.

Reinhardt has sung with the San Francisco Lamplights, Encore City Players, Santa Rosa Players, and Marquee Theatre. Krekow has directed musicals including Godspell, Mame, Oklahoma, The Music Man, South Pacific, The Boyfriend, Into the Woods, and the world premiere of Stevenson by Heart, and most recently written and directed Don't Ask Me Not to Sing. In 1986 he formed the Celeste Conservatory—a school for the performing arts.

Reinhardt joined the music faculty at BYU-Hawaii in 1992, and later was appointed chairman of the music department. His responsibilities included Director of Showcase Hawaii, Fine Arts musical, Children's Theatre Workshop, and teaching studio voice and music theory. He also served as president of the Hawaii chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing.

In 1993 BYU-Hawaii's performing group, Showcase Hawaii, embarked on the first major international tour by a BYU-Hawaii performing group in 10 years. The tour team included 15 performers and 4 technicians. “This tour is the culmination of many years of work by many members of the BYU-Hawaii family," Reinhardt Krekow told the Church News at that time. He was the artistic director of Showcase Hawaii (LDS Church News, 24 April 1993).

In May 1999, he was hired as the creative director of a new children's video series based on the L.D.S. Primary Songs. The first video entitled Do As I Do was distributed throughout North America.

Reinhardt and his wife had three children. When he came out, they divorced.

Reinhardt died at his home in Sacramento, California, on 10 February 2005. On February 16 he was buried in the Waterman Cemetery, Sutherland, Iowa.