Joseph DuciBella
Joseph R. DuciBella, A.S.I.D.
Joe was an interior designer, founding member of the Theatre Historical Society of America (1969), author, and noted architectural historian.
Born and raised on the West Side of Chicago, his interest in theatres began as he wathced the demolition of the Paradise Theatre. This allowed him to observe how large theatres were constructed and led to his desire to be an architect. Later he studied under the noted architect Mies Van Der Rohe at the Illinois Institute of Technology. Eventually decided to pursue interior design instead of architecture. He graduated from the Chicago Academy of Fine Art with degrees in Interior Design. He went on to become an interior designer (residential, commercial, and theatrical) and had his own design firm for more than a 25 years.
He was widely known as an important American theatre historian and published several books both here and in Europe. His Theatres of Chicago (1973) is still a base reference in many libraries. His final book, The Theatres of Chicago: The Complete Illustrated History, is due to be published in 2008 and is the history of nearly all the theatres that ever existed in Chicago from the 1840's to the present day.
He was a member of many organizations, including the American Theatre Organ Society, The Organ Historical Society, Chicago Area Theatre Organ Enthusiasts, and many more. He received honors, commendations and awards from in the Interior Design and Theatre History fields. He also was one of Chicago's most respected architectural historians and led many city tours of Chicago's legendary architecture and was a leading figure in the preservation. He fought to save such important buildings as the Chicago Theatre, the Congress Theatre, and many others. He also worked to have the Chicago Wicker Park neighborhood designated a Chicago Landmark District.
He died peacefully at home following a long fight with cancer on June 29, 2007.