Pullman Civic Theatre

The mission of Pullman Civic Theatre is to provide affordable, live entertainment for the community, and creative outlets and educational opportunities for theatre participants of all ages.

Community theatre in Pullman has a long and colorful history dating back to the building of the Pullman Auditorium in the 1890s.  The Auditorium burned to the ground in 1909.

Although there is evidence of community theatre activity in the 1930s, it wasn't until the 1950's that a renaissance occurred under the twenty year leadership of Cal Watson. Ruth Vanderwall took over operations in the early 1970's, focusing primarily on dinner theatre performances for almost thirty years.  In 2000, Pullman Civic Theatre expanded its offerings with children's theatre and musicals.

In 2005 PCT moved one step closer to having our own dedicated space with a generous gift from long-time PCT supporters, Mid and Del Rowland. The Nye Street Theatre was established and has become our venue for the more intimate performances we have become known for.

Pullman Civic Theatre continues our tradition of affordable live theatre with two-act plays, radio plays, classic musicals, and in 2007 we reintroduced dinner theatre back to the Palouse.

Pullman Civic Theatre has memberships with the American Association of Community Theatre, the Washington State Community Theatre Association, the Pullman Chamber of Commerce and the Moscow Chamber of Commerce.

Board of Directors

Kevin Ketchie - President
Kevin is a native to Pullman and returned here after a break for school and other adventures on the West Coast. “My love for the theater comes from my high school days in Pullman, when Helen Reed the instructor at the time encouraged my passion." Kevin has been on the stage in his younger days and really prefers behind the scenes, where he enjoys making the real magic of theater happen. This is Kevin’s second term as President of the Board, and he is committed to seeing PCT reach its potential. “I want to thank all the volunteers, donors and actors whose commitment and dedication are at the heart of our organization, whose passion is inspiring and humbling”.
Gary Thoren - Vice President/Production Manager
Gary has been involved with theatre in one way or another since he was in grade school. For a while he even acted professionally, but the rose colored glasses were finally taken off and now he earns a living in the food service arena. Now he just works long hours at the theatre for the glory and the accolades.

Elinor McCloskey - Treasurer
Elinor has always been  interested in all the creative arts; particularly literature and music. She has also been lucky to live in many places with strong performing arts institutions.  So it is good to return to the Palouse and see the growth of so many creative artistic activities.  She is glad to be with PCT which is making it own strong contributions to the regional performing arts scene.

Tracie Brelsford - Secretary
Tracie is a Pullman resident currently in her 5th year of full-time involvement with Pullman Civic Theatre.  She came to PCT as an actor in 2003 after 22 years away from the stage, and has since played an onstage or backstage role in almost every production, including actor, director, set designer, sound/light operator and all-purpose volunteer.   She joined the Board of Directors in 2005 as vice president alongside President Kevin Ketchie, her "old" drama classmate from PHS.  Outside of theatre, she earned a Ph.D. in psychology and was a practicing neuropsychologist for 8 years before accepting her brother's invitation to come back to Pullman and re-join the family real estate development business as a property manager.  She has lived in Oxford, Mississippi, Charlottesville, Virginia, and Vancouver, British Columbia and loved them all, but is happiest back home in Pullman near four generations of her family and with her two children (her golden retriever Sundance and golden spaniel Simba).  Tracie also volunteers as a foster family for the Whitman County Humane Society.  The best part about PCT for Tracie is the excitement of working with dedicated, theatre-loving volunteers from all around the Palouse region and seeing the pleasure our productions bring to audiences, actors, and crew alike.
 
Mark Feichtner - Member at Large 
Mark has been involved with theatre and music for most of his life. He began working with Pullman Civic Theatre in 2005 as the Business Manager but has taken on many other behind-the-scenes roles as well. Currently Mark resides in Spokane but remains active on the Board of Directors.
Tom Harris - Business Manager
Tom Harris, an escapee from the San Francisco Bay Area, joined PCT as the Business Manager in 2007, and the Board of Directors in 2008.  Tom retired from Chevron Corporation after a 25 year career in accounting, finance and information systems, and from the hectic California life after wearying of traffic, smog, disappearing open space and varying levels of stupidity.  The siren call of Pullman beckoned with its open space, small town feel, intelligent population and four real seasons, as well as a great university for his college bound daughter, who is now a freshman at WSU.  The entire family took to Pullman like cougars to raw meat, and quickly found a welcome home in the Pullman Civic Theatre.  (The wife, Jeri, is the costume mistress, and the daughter, Jessie, is the props gal and actress.  His three dogs have not shown much interest in acting, yet.)  The family would like to thank Pullman for accepting them so eagerly.  They also volunteer with the Whitman County Humane Society, the WSU drama department, and the Lentil Festival.    
Kate Innes - Publicity & Promotions 
 I grew up in South Dakota and graduated from Western Illinois University with a degree in English and History. I've had the pleasure to call Wyoming, Alaska, Iowa and California "home" at various times but have lived in Eastern Washington since 1993. Before entering the real estate profession, I worked in interior design (owned my own design studio) and tourism (owned my own travel agency). I love helping people achieve their goals and dreams, so the transition from interior design and travel to real estate was a natural one! Putting my skills and experience to work for my clients, meeting their needs and getting the job done to their complete satisfaction is my highest priority! Commitment and service to my community and profession are also important to me. I am active in the Pullman Chamber of Commerce (Lentil Festival, Fourth of July Celebration, Government Affairs Committee, Artesians), Whitman County Association of Realtors (Immediate Past President and 2006 Realtor of the Year), and American Cancer Society Relay For Life (committee member since 2002 and chair of the Pullman event 2004-06).  My husband is an engineer at WSU and our daughter is a Coug, class of '99. We share our 1939 brick home in Pullman with our schnauzer, Fritz. Reading, walking and traveling are favorite pastimes. Winston Churchill once said, "We make a living by what we do, but we make a life by what we give." I endorse that philosophy wholeheartedly and look forward to the opportunity to serve Pullman Civic Theatre.
Tyana Kelley - Volunteer Coordinator
Tyana moved to Pullman in August 2007 and participated in her first PCT show in the spring of 2008.  She was excited to be cast as “Wilma” the maid in Agatha Christie Made Me Do It.  After hearing that there was a need for a Volunteer Coordinator, Tyana jumped at the chance to increase her involvement with PCT. While attending Spokane Community College, Tyana was Secretary, Vice-President, and President of the Drama Club.  She either acted in or worked backstage on every production while she was there.  She was also instrumental in starting the “Reader’s Theatre.”  She graduated in 2002 from Whitworth University with a B.A. in English.  She is the first person in her family to graduate from college.
Mike Long - Production Manager 
Mike discovered the stage in first grade as an actor and in second grade as a musician. He bought his first theatre make-up book in fifth grade and began writing stories and plays, and playing the clarinet, in sixth grade. When he came to college in the early 80s, he discovered Living Faith Fellowship and since that time has been involved in stage managing, acting, dancing, writing, directing, specialty actor make-up, choreography, orchestra, sound, costumes, props, and production management, at various times and in almost every major LFF production, as well as countless small ones. Frequently he has taken more than one position as he did his first PCT production, The Homecoming, in 2006, as both stage manager and “Sheriff Ep Bridges”. For the last two years, Mike has also stage-managed for Pullman’s Jr Miss. Mike enjoys any and every opportunity to be involved with theatre, especially with his wife of 18 years, JoAnn Long. By day Mike is administrative support for Washington State University’s Center for Distance and Professional Education’s dean and directors. The Longs are also active in square and round dancing, as well as hosts for a card and board game group in their home.
  
Kate Martinson - Member at Large
Bio in progress.
  

Board meetings are held at our Nye Street Theatre, 1220 NW Nye St., Pullman, Washington at 7:00 p.m. the first Thursday of each month.

Changes to the Board meeting times will be posted on our website calendar.