Loli Kantor
Diane Simons, the visionary co-founder of Fort Worth’s beloved Hip Pocket Theatre, passed away on Jan. 6 following a prolonged illness, according to a social media post. She was 80.
Simons, born Mary Diane Rowand in 1944 in Scranton, Pennsylvania, moved to Dallas with her family in her youth. Her parents, Dr. E.C. Rowand and Mary Louise Rowand, were ministers in the Disciples of Christ Church. She and her brother Clem would grow up in the Dallas area, where Simons met her future husband, Johnny Simons, at TCU. The couple’s shared passion for theater led them to Casa Mañana and later the Alley Theatre in Houston, before they relocated to Durham, North Carolina, where they taught at Duke University.
Diane, a brilliant costume designer, was the first living artist to have her work displayed at The Kimbell Art Museum. She and Johnny, along with close friend Douglas Balentine, founded the Hip Pocket Theatre in 1976. A staple of the Fort Worth arts scene, the theater became known for its unconventional performances and stunning, often imaginative costumes, often created by Diane.
She also served as the producer and costume designer at the theater until she retired due to serious health issues. Her work at Hip Pocket Theatre, often described as nothing short of “artful,” left an indelible mark on the local theater community.
Johnny shared a heartfelt tribute to his wife on Facebook, writing, “Diane was a phenomenal artist, creating beautiful costumes out of scraps and unusual materials. This uncommonly gifted woman was a devoted wife, mother, and a superb example of a soulfully, loving human being.”
Diane is survived by daughters Lorca and Lake, both of whom are also theater artists, and her grandchildren River Barley and Cy Dyer.
“Rest well, O queen, as you costume the halls in heaven,” Johnny added.
A private memorial service will be held in the spring, and in lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to Hip Pocket Theatre in Diane's memory.
