About Us
Shakespeare By The Sea Festival Inc., a community-based organization, produces and promotes artistic works with a focus on William Shakespeare. Our organization unites seasoned and developing talent and aspires to excel in all aspects of our work.
The
Shakespeare By The Sea Festival is the longest running outdoor summer theatre event in the St. John's area. Since 1993, the Shakespeare By The Sea Festival has been performing the works of that famous Bard all around the St. John's area – from the cliff-top meadows of Logy Bay to the historic World War Two bunkers at Cape Spear – from the cobblestoned courtyard of the Murray Premises to the lush landscapes of Bowring Park. Since that time, the Festival has grown into a much-anticipated annual event.
Shakespeare By The Sea Festival Inc. is a member of the
Shakespeare Theatre Association of America.
Board of Directors - 2010
(back row) Natalie Falk, Jill Kennedy, Pamela Taylor, Jenn Deon, Carol Ann Tobin, Debbie Robbins
(front row) Dave Walsh, Jamie Skidmore, Chris Panting, Brad Stone, Chris Hibbs (missing - Michael Pickard)
Photo by Chris Hibbs
Jennifer Deon Jennifer has operated as the volunteer Artistic Director of the Festival since 1995 and has directed many productions over the years. She works as a communications professional specializing in event management, media relations and internal communications.
Chris Hibbs Chris is the International Student Recruitment Officer with Memorial University. A long-time on-stage participant with the Festival, Chris is also an avid freelance photographer who has photographed many Festival productions over the years.
Natalie Falk Natalie has a long career in community economic development. She is the former Executive Director of the Association of Heritage Industries and works currently as a consultant with the Jane Heller Group. She is also a trained Strategic Planner with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Community Capacity Building program.
Jill Kennedy Jill is a high school teacher of History, Theatre and English who has mentored and worked with countless students to encourage and develop their love of the dramatic arts. She has a decade of community theatre involvement in many areas including acting, directing, costuming and producing. Jill is also a recent on-stage participant with the Festival.
Chris Panting Chris is an Architectural Technologist with PHB Group Inc. in St. John's who has volunteered as an actor with the Festival on numerous occasions. He is also a member of the City of St. John's Arts Infrastructure Committee.
Michael PickardMichael is a graduate of Memorial University’s Business Faculty. He has spent 15 years in the marketing sector, having worked for two leading Canadian advertising agencies. Michael is currently the Associate Director of Marketing at Memorial University. Along with brother Christopher Pickard, Michael is a former CBC Poet Laureate.
Debbie Robbins Debbie works with the Provincial Government as the Advertising and Marketing Coordinator with the Public Service Commission. Back in the day, Debbie was an enthusiastic backstage volunteer backstage with the Festival and continues as an avid audience member. Debbie is also the founder and director of the St. James United Church Youth Drama Group for ages eight to seventeen, which is currently enjoying its fifth season.
Jamie Skidmore Jamie is a professor in the English Department at Memorial University, specializing in theatre arts. Jamie has been working in the theatre for the past 25 years as a designer, director, technician, and educator.
Brad Stone Brad has been involved with theatre and film for 15 years, receiving a degree from Memorial University in English with a specialization in theatre. He is a Realtor who now also volunteers with the Shakespeare by the Sea board.
Pamela Taylor Pamela is a senior lawyer with Ches Crosbie Barristers who has enjoyed the Festival as an audience member for many years. She is a graduate Memorial University and Osgoode Hall Law School at York University. Pamela is an active member of several law-related groups and is a past member of the Executive of the Canadian Bar Association, NL Branch (CBA-NL). She is also a member of the Board of Directors of Avalon Employment Incorporated.
Carol Ann Tobin Carol Ann received her B. Comm. (Co-op) from Memorial University. For over a decade, she oversaw a staff of 50+ and was responsible for a $1 million+ annual operating budget in her role as Sales Manager with the Historic Sites Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, a non-profit organization. She currently works as the regional Financial Services Agent with Industry Canada.
Dave Walsh Dave is a graduate of Memorial University and has worked and volunteered in many aspects of theatre over the years. He is a former Tour Manager with Rising Tide Theatre and a former Operations Manager with the Resource Centre for the Arts. He is currently a junior high school teacher with the Avalon East School Board.