“Be govern’d by your knowledge, and proceed”
King Lear (IV.vii)
The Board of Directors:
President: Alex Sandie
Secretary:
Treasurer: Connie Boyd
Executive Director: Mike Auer
Executive Director Student Shakespeare Festival
Membership Chair: Patricia Spira
Publicity: Kim Keeline
Directors-at-large:
Festival Executive Producer: Sandra Buehner
Special Advisor and Writer In Residence:
David Wiener - Winner: “Best Play” 12th Annual New York City 15 Minute Play Festival for An Honest Arrangement. Winner: “Best Play” 15th Annual New York City 15 Minute Play Festival for Feeding Time at the Human House.
Honorary Members:
Craig Noel, Prof. Marianne McDonald, Ph.D., MRIA, Walter Munk, J. Joe Craft, Jonathan McMurtry
Advisors:
Beth Accomando, Anthony Adams, Richard Baird, Martha Barnette, Karen Carpenter, Kandis Chappell, Antonio “TJ” Johnson, Bonnie Johnston, Welton Jones, Pat Launer, Richard Lederer, Ph.D., Steve Lipinsky, William A. Nericcio, PhD., Jenni Prisk, Rosina Reynolds, Diane Sinor, Rev. Dr. Mikel Taxer
Biographies
Professional member: Actors Alliance of San Diego
Retired Commercial banker; founding President of several local Scottish organizations, including San Diego-Edinburgh Sister City Society. Actor in over 40 local productions in local theatres, including Lawrence Welk Resort Theatre.
His contributions to the Arts & Culture in San Diego have been recognized with awards from the City of San Diego; Spirit of Bravissimo Award and from San Diego County Office of Education; Pillar of Leith (Edinburgh) Medal for contributions to Scottish culture in California.
Residence zip code: 92120
Connie Boyd – Treasurer
Taught Drama and English for 28 years at San Pasqual High School. Took students to Fullerton, Thespians, Drama Teachers of California, and ESU Shakespeare competitions. They performed in in-classroom presentations of poetry and short scenes. Directed and acted at Patio Playhouse for 33 years.
Residence zip code: 92026
Mike Auer – Executive Director of Student Shakespeare Festival
Board of the English Speaking Union and helps coordinate its High School Shakespeare Competition.
A retired English and Theatre Teacher and Curriculum Specialist for San Diego Unified School District. He has directed over 75 productions in high school, university, and community theatres. He has won a Dramalogue “Billy” and a KPBS “Patte” for his direction, a SDPAL Star award for his volunteer work, a CATE Award of Merit, and is a member of the San Diego Educational Theatre Association’s Hall of Fame.
Mr. Auer’s “day job” is as founding director of AP by the Sea at the University of San Diego, a summer institute that has trained over 8,000 AP teachers from around the world. He also has written 34 Lit Guides for AP English teachers. He is married with four sons, all of whom are in education or the arts.
Residence zip code: 92111
Kim Keeline – Board Member and Publicity Chair
Ph.D. in English Literature from the University of Southern California (Dissertation title:”Marketing Women: Representations of Working Women in Early Modern London”)
Freelancer: publicity, marketing, communications, editing, writing
You may have seen her work in: San Diego Writers, Ink as their Media and Marketing Coordinator (Jan 2013+), social media for Write Out Loud (Feb 2013+), editing entries for the second edition of the St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture (and writing a dozen new entries on topics from Google to the Lord of the Rings trilogies),etc.
Managing editor for Shakespeare news site The Shakespeare Standard
Steam Locomotive Engineer at the Poway-Midland Railroad, in addition to being a former VP of Administration for the Railroad and their Publicity person
Shadow River Regulators Re-enactment group, helping teach the history of 1880s California through historical reenactments, school tours, and skits,
Has worked in web design, graphic design, marketing/publicity for several organizations in addition to planning several events, conventions, and conferences, ranging from academic symposium to the Tom Swift 100th Anniversary Convention in 2010
SDSS email: publicity@sandiegoshakespearesociety.org
Residence zip code: 92115
Patricia Spira – Chair of Membership Committee
SNAP (Southern California Network of Admission Professionals), (ASAE) American Society of Association Executives, University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee Alumni Association
Retired President/CEO of INTIX (The International Ticketing Association); Volunteer with San Diego Opera and San Diego Performing Arts League
B.A. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; Certification from ASAE (American Society of Association Executives); Recipient of Star Award for Volunteerism.
Residence zip code:92101
William “Bill” Virchis – Board member
A living legend in performing arts education. Recently retired as Director of VAPA at Sweetwater Union High District, and was previously Professor at Southwestern College.
Recipient of numerous State and local awards. Directed numerous productions at theatres across the U.S., including the Old Globe Theatre and The San Diego Rep. Co-founder of Tetra Mascara Magical.
Jack Winans – Board member
AFTRA, Actor’s Alliance
Several acting and directing credits throughout San Diego. Awards include: Atlas Award and nominations and an Easties nomination.
Residence zip code: 92104
