In Memory: Philip McCormick Waller, Age 34
Philip McCormick Waller, a vibrant young man whose creativity and passion touched his many friends, teachers, fellow students at Renbrook School, Rye Country Day, and Oberlin College and then in his profession of theatre, passed away on March 11, 2024, in New York City at the age of 34, from an undiagnosed heart condition. Born on July 9, 1989, in Pittsburgh, PA, Philip was the son of Gary Waller and Kathleen McCormick, both professors at Purchase College, SUNY, during much of Philip’s youth.
Philip shared a special bond with his brothers, Michael Waller of Corner Brook, Newfoundland, Canada, and Andrew Waller of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. His extended family includes cousins Katherine Waller of Auckland, New Zealand, Geoffrey Waller of Whangarei, New Zealand, and Steven Waller of Tauranga, New Zealand, along with his nieces, Dahlia Waller of Montreal, Canada, and Kalyna Harasym Waller of Toronto, Canada. In addition to his international family, Philip travelled widely, especially to New Zealand, Canada, Italy – particularly Rome and Florence- and Cambridge, England, where he spent many vacations.
Philip’s journey in the Arts began at Renbrook School, West Hartford, and an early stage experience was as Boy Soprano in the annual Boar’s Head Festival in Hartford, CT. At Rye Country Day School, where he graduated in the class of 2007, he was active in choir, Model UN and Political Forum, as well as the theater program. He played varsity squash and uniquely was invited to play for BOTH the Indian and Pakistani student cricket teams at RCDS. He developed his acting skills for seven years at the Purchase College Summer School, where he returned for two years as a teacher, and the prestigious Stratford Shakespeare Theater Arts Program. His passion for theater led him to Oberlin College, where he earned a BA (Hons) in theater in 2011. During his college years, he was president of the Oberlin Student Theater Organization (OSTA). In 2014, Philip’s entrepreneurial spirit and artistic vision blossomed when he founded the off-off-Broadway Mercury Glass Theater Company in New York City. His work there was marked by innovative and well-reviewed productions of plays by Shakespeare, Marlowe, Lonergan and others. Philip was known for his ability to breathe new life into classic works, making them relevant and accessible to both his actors and audiences. Philip also worked at Curious Theater in Denver from 2017 to 2019, and from 2019-2020 at both the Performing Arts Center at Purchase College and Equity Actors Union. Following the 2020-2022 lockdown years, from 2022 to 2024, he worked at The Tank Theater in NYC.
Funny, articulate, creative, and passionate—these words encapsulate the essence of Philip. Indeed, Philip played many roles in his life, each with the same fervor and commitment that he brought to his theater productions. His absence will be deeply felt by his family, friends, colleagues, and the many lives he touched through his art and his fun-loving and quick-thinking personality.
A Celebration of Philip’s life will be held at Graham Funeral Home in Rye, NY on Saturday March 23, 2024, from 2:00-4:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made to the American Heart Association.
