Curtis Ray Hicks, a character actor who delighted in performing for children, died Saturday of complications from acquired immune deficiency syndrome at his home in the Washington Village area of Southwest Baltimore. He was 31.
Known professionally as Nick Raye, he performed at the Fells Point Corner Theater, the Vagabond Players, Essex Community College and the Children's Theater Association.
"He came to us several years ago when we first produced the play version of 'The Nutcracker' at the Baltimore Museum of Art, where he created the role of Grandfather Drosselmeier," said Kevin Daly, executive director of the Children's Theater Association. He withdrew from a December production of the play because of illness.
He enjoyed working in children's theater and performed in such classics as "Charlotte's Web" and "A Thousand Cranes."
"He brought true dignity and respect to children as members of an audience. He didn't condescend to them and believed they should be treated as intelligent beings. To that end, [he] brought a sense of mystery, magic and subtlety to his roles. He had a way of exciting them," said Mr. Daly.
At the Fells Point Corner Theater he appeared in "The Heart of a Dog" and played Adolf Hitler in English playwright C. P. Taylor's "Good."
"He was wonderful in character roles," said Beverly Sokol, president of the theater's trustees. "He brought to his parts a dimension and depth that was done without fanfare and trumpeting. He was able to internalize the imagery of a character -- and he was also marvelous with make-up -- until he finally became that full-blown person."
Interested in directing, he directed "The Importance of Being Earnest" at the Spotlighter's Theater and was credited with having "a director's vision which came from a deep love of theater and literature," said director Barry Feinstein.
Mr. Hicks was born in Soccoro, N.M., and lived in many places around the world as his career-military father moved from place to place. He was a graduate of the American High School in Vicenzia, Italy, and started acting there as a student.
He attended the University of Maryland College Park and in 1985, left for New York, where he studied acting. After working as a jazz vocalist at the Village Gate and performing with the Gay Lesbian Lavender Light Swing Band, which appeared at Lincoln Center in 1988, he returned to Baltimore.
A memorial service was to be held at 10:30 a.m. today in the theater of the Baltimore Museum of Art, Art Museum Drive.
Survivors include his parents, Bobby Ray Hicks and Jan Carton, both of Laurel; a brother, Michael Lee Hicks; and a sister, Renee Randall, both of Laurel; two grandmothers; two nieces; a nephew; and his companion, Michael T. Schanno.
Memorial donations may be made to the Children's Theater Association, 121 McMechen St., Baltimore 21217.