(above) Peter Burford, Linda Lombardi, and Ken Holmes in The Taming of the Shrew 2002, at Woodland Park. Photo by Charles Ericksen.
A conversation with GreenStage Board Treasurer and long time Managing Director, director, actor, photographer, set designer, graphic designer, and wearer of many other hats: Ken Holmes.
Ken Holmes on GreenStage Board efforts, aspirations & where 38 seasons of free Shakespeare in the parks will take us next.
G.S.: What is the board doing next for GreenStage and its audiences?
K.H.: I believe GreenStage benefits greatly from a strong board focused on specific goals for growing the company. Currently that would include advocating for our long time use of Building 11 at Magnuson or similar space. I don’t know exactly how to navigate that puzzle, but maybe we can make it happen.
Our current GreenStage Board is focused on specific goals like fundraising, legal and financial stability, and growth.
We have a fairly active board, with multiple board members also involved on staff or in the season. Back in the olden times, when our board was also essentially the staff and creative team, everyone was involved in decision making. Now the Board is growing larger and able to use different skills to build foundations to make future seasons successful. We’re still finding the sweet spot.
G.S.: Do you have a favorite GreenStage experience?
K.H.: So many things. The very fact that we’ve made it to 38 years and are still going strong. That we accomplished the goal of producing Shakespeare’s entire canon, which most Shakespeare companies don’t even consider. That we have a strong following that supports us year after year. That our shows and the Seattle Outdoor Theater Festival have become an expected and anticipated part of Seattle’s summer.
G.S.: Ken, what is your dream picnic for watching Shakespeare in the Park?
K.H.: I don’t really do picnics, and it’s really hard for me to just sit and watch one of our plays – as I’m always too focused on the operations side of things. Usually my only chance to watch the shows is from behind my camera…
Raya Tuffaha, Anthony Duckett. Henry VI, parts 2&3, 2024. Photo by Ken Holmes.
