Peterborough actor, playwright, and artist Chuck Vollmar has passed away.
According to an email from the Peterborough Theatre Guild, Vollmar died on Wednesday morning (June 11).
Vollmar, who began working in theatre in 1981, was best known locally for his comedic and dramatic roles in numerous Peterborough Theatre Guild productions. He was one of the Peterborough Theatre Guild’s actors who represented Canada in an international theatre festival in Japan with the production Hedges.
Vollmar also had leading roles in productions that travelled to festivals in Asia, Aruba, Venezuela, and Newfoundland, and one several best actor awards.
In the 1990s, he was one of the founders of the Peterborough Improv Group, a troupe of improv actors who performed murder mysteries at private functions and local venues in the area.
Vollmar was also a playwright, writing Kawartha Love Letters for the Peterborough Theatre Guild and co-writing Fishing Buddies with Geoff Hewitson, which was produced by the Showplace Players in 2012 and reworked for the Peterborough Theatre Guild in 2014.
In addition to acting, Vollmar was a cartoonist and graphic designer. He designed and created the artwork for hundreds of promotional posters and program covers for the Peterborough Theatre Guild.
Vollmar twice received a Peterborough Civic Award for cultural betterment, first in 2008 and then, along with Geoff Hewitson, in 2015.
In 2016, he received an Ontario Volunteer Service Award for over 30 years of service with the Peterborough Theatre Guild and, in 2017, was inducted into the Peterborough and District Pathway of Fame in the dramatic arts category.
“(We) will miss Chuck,” reads the Peterborough Theatre Guild’s email. “When he was in the audience, his contagious laugh could be heard throughout the theatre. His quick wit, beautifully kind nature, and amazing talent will be missed by all.”
“In a nutshell, Chuck was a beautiful human being and wonderful friend.”
kawarthaNOW will update this story when funeral arrangements are announced.
