We’re thrilled to announce the addition of five new board members to our volunteer board. Excited about the vision for Cal Shakes’ future. Vivian Keys, Bradley Glover, Rahul Gupta, Mark Logan, and Sam Suttle have joined the board to lend their time and talents to the Cal Shakes leadership team. These new members, and the board as a whole, is helping Cal Shakes expand and diversify our reach while we plan for our 50th anniversary in 2024. Thanks to all our board members!
Please welcome our new Board Members. If you want to see more music, dance, film, comedy and of course theater—At the Bruns, help support these new board members with a donation.
Vivian Keys, Board Treasurer
What is your personal and professional background?
I’m Chinese American and I came to the US after graduating from college in China with an English degree. I have been working in Corporate Finance for various tech companies in Silicon Valley, such as Norton/Symantec, Netflix, Seagate and BEA (now part of Oracle). I was the Treasurer for Silicon Valley Shakespeare and UN Women San Francisco Bay Area.
What is your first experience with theater? What drew you to join a non-profit theater?
I grew up with a strong influence of performing arts from dance to theater. Shakespeare to me is literature and language arts. As an English student in college I translated Shakespeare’s sonnets to Chinese as part of my studies. I joined Silicon Valley Shakespeare after seeing their all female production of Hamlet in 2017.
Cal Shakes, like many regional theaters, has been through a lot of change in the last few years. How do you want the board to lead Cal Shakes through challenges?
We need to focus on rebuilding the business as the go-to outdoor event venue in the community, while continuing to provide a broad range of high quality content that would attract an audience.
How do equality, diversity, and inclusion fit into the Cal Shakes mission?
To be in sync with the demographics of our region, we should reflect the multicultural nature of our community.
How do you want to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Cal Shakes? How do you celebrate the past while still looking forwards towards the next 50 years of Cal Shakes?
If possible we can invite past cast members to reflect on the changes over the years. Going forward, there are many great opportunities to perform traditional western plays with adaptation from other cultures, or plays from other cultures reflecting Shakespearean themes.
Can American regional theater survive? How? Extra points if you solve this one.
The show must go on. Think beyond the region, beyond America, and beyond theater. Bay Area, California, has been the leading force in this country to showcase influences from world cultures, and we should reflect these changes on and off the stage.
A or B.
Cat or Dog? black pug
Sweet or Savory? artisan dark chocolate truffle with sea salt and liquor
Theater or Theatre? my phone thinks it’s “theatre” after my recent trip to London
Rahul Gupta, Board President
Please welcome Rahul Gupta as he assumes the role of Board President at Cal Shakes. Rahul brings the perfect balance of passion and pragmatism required as we undergo this next phase of our evolution. We can’t wait for you to meet him!
What is your personal and professional background?
Since being raised in Santa Clara, I’ve spent large amounts of time living in Berkeley, Los Angeles, Omaha, San Francisco, and now Orinda. I’m a SAG-AFTRA and AEA actor (having had the good fortune to perform locally with Berkeley Rep and Aurora Theatre Company), had a 15-year-long career as an technology entrepreneur, and currently lead Software Engineering Culture at Chime
What is your first experience with theater? What drew you to join a non-profit theater?
My deep love for theater began with the Santa Clara Junior Theatre (now the Roberta Jones Junior Theatre) — first as an audience member, then as a performer from ages 7-17 (first as a Munchkin, and ending as Willie Wonka), and an overlapping 6 years of backstage work (building sets, designing & running lights and sound, and managing the deck crew). So, as you can see, my connection to non-profit theater is a life-long pursuit; I’ve witnessed first-hand the difference theater can make in the lives of the cast, crew, audience, and community.
Cal Shakes, like many regional theaters, has been through a lot of change in the last few years. How do you want the board to lead Cal Shakes through challenges?
As I’m still getting up to speed on the specific challenges facing Cal Shakes and the efforts undertaken to date, I’m uncertain about the board’s immediate leadership role. That said, I expect that we’ll need to work as thought partners with Clive and his team balancing the pragmatics of running a multi-faceted business, joyful experiences for staff, performers, and audience, and keep an eye towards our community impact goals, particularly those around social justice and equity.
How do equality, diversity, and inclusion fit into the Cal Shakes mission?
We have a pretty clear statement around EDI in our mission statement. I think the question we’ll need to ask ourselves as we pursue this work is how can we continue to build and deepen trust with the communities we hope to include? This will take work. It will require us to show up, listen, and hold ourselves accountable to our commitments and our mistakes.
Can American regional theater survive? How? Extra points if you solve this one.
Of course it can. It will look different — clearly we are currently in a time of contraction and collaboration— but as our creative communities regroup and then rebuild, this essential form of expression and how it is delivered will evolve to meet our human need. Who better to imagine and create what could be than artists?
A or B.
Cat or Dog? Dog
Mustard or Ketchup? Mustard
Soccer or Football? Soccer
Bangs or Fringe? Fringe
Giants or A’s? A’s
Sweet or Savory? Savory
Theater or Theatre? Theatre
Bradley Glover, Board Vice President
Please welcome Bradley to the Board. Bradley brings his lifelong love of the performing arts and his keen business acumen to his new role as Vice President of the Board.
What is your personal and professional background?
I am a long time Bay Area resident and reside in Lafayette with my wife and 4 children. I have spent most of my career in biotech and have held executive-level roles at both private and public companies.
What is your first experience with theater? What drew you to join a non-profit theater?
Attending community and local performances as a young child began my love for theater and the arts. Over time, my family and I have enjoyed many non- and for-profit performances throughout the United States and Europe. Non-profit theater provides a truly unique platform to expose as many people as possible to the arts.
Cal Shakes, like many regional theaters, has been through a lot of change in the last few years. How do you want the board to lead Cal Shakes through challenges?
Collaboratively support high-level strategy, oversight and accountability to ensure the Bruns and Cal Shakes effectively evolve to support local arts and culture.
How do equality, diversity, and inclusion fit into the Cal Shakes mission?
These are essential components for the organization and should be integral to any mission, strategy and operational plan.
How do you want to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Cal Shakes? How do you celebrate the past while still looking forwards towards the next 50 years of Cal Shakes?
Celebrate historical highlights and call-out the unique context that makes them special. As we contemplate the drivers of change going forward, it will be important to develop innovative frameworks and content to deliver on our mission.
Can American regional theater survive? How? Extra points if you solve this one.
Yes, American regional theater can survive but it must accommodate changes in audience preferences, rising costs in infrastructure, changes in donor and philanthropic priorities and embrace a diverse and inclusive mission.
A or B.
Cat or Dog? Dog
Mustard or Ketchup? Mustard
Soccer or Football? Football
Bangs or Fringe? Fringe
Giants or A’s? Giants
Sweet or Savory? Sweet
Theater or Theatre? Theatre
Mark Logan
Please welcome Mark to the Board. Mark brings his enthusiasm and his love of making genuine connections with the people he meets to his new role as Board Member.
What is your personal and professional background?
Born in San Jose and grew up in San Mateo (mostly). As a struggling actor in LA I ‘fell into’ the restaurant business. I know, I know, that’s never happened before….I was with CPK and then became a VP/Market Partner for PF Changs in the North East. Moved back to the bay area and became a Partner with The Counter. Most importantly….I just retired! Actually most, most important – I have been married to my bride for 35 years… 😊
What is your first experience with theater? What drew you to join a non-profit theater?
I don’t remember my first experience, but I know I always loved it. I have always supported local theatre and spent many nights on Broadway.
Cal Shakes, like many regional theaters, has been through a lot of change in the last few years. How do you want the board to lead Cal Shakes through challenges?
To boldly go where no board has gone before…well seriously, I think we are at a crossroads and can/must make some bold moves to keep the theatre alive and moving forward. I don’t think anything should be taken off the table. Break all white elephants!
How do equality, diversity, and inclusion fit into the Cal Shakes mission?
Is this a trick question? 😊 How do they Not fit? I think it’s a no brainer and clearly something that all members need to have ‘top of mind’ when making decisions
How do you want to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Cal Shakes? How do you celebrate the past while still looking forwards towards the next 50 years of Cal Shakes?
Produce a top notch production! Do a classic, an edgy comedy and a kids thing…diversity. Of course, also summer sessions for the kids too….
Can American regional theater survive? How? Extra points if you solve this one.
I believe it can but it will have to metamorphose into a new and different animal…something smaller and more nimble. Something very diverse so that it attracts a wide demographic.
A or B.
