Gin Hammond
Program Director, Company Manager and Festival Producer
Gin Hammond received her Masters of Fine Arts from the American Repertory Theatre Institute for Advanced Theatre Training at Harvard University / Moscow Art Theatre School. She has also performed internationally at the Moscow Art Theatre and the Roadside Theatre in Heidelberg, Germany. Additionally, Ms. Hammond is a grant recipient of the Ford Mellon Foundation for her work on a multi-cultural anthology of plays, under the auspices of Ms. Ruby Dee.
Favorite performances include Leafy Lee in Polk County, voted one of the top ten plays of 2002 by the New York Times, the 24 characters of The Syringa Tree, and the highly vulnerable yet Machiavellian character of Wendy/Zena in the remarkable play by Cassandra Medley entitled NoonDay Sun -- one of several plays Ms. Hammond has appeared in portraying the compelling dynamics of racial ambiguity.
Vic Phillipson
Technical Director, Producer and Volunteer Coordinator
Vic Phillipson is a freelance theatrical consultant based in Kristiansand, Norway. His primary gig is chief technical consultant for the United States Army Europe Entertainment Program. As such, he administers the lighting and sound systems in 17 theaters in Germany, England, Belgium and Italy. Additionally, he produces shows for his own production company in England, Ireland, Norway and Germany.
From 1992 until 2000, Vic was the artistic director of the US Army theaters in Giessen and Heidelberg, Germany. In those eight years he produced or directed more than 50 productions. In 1999 and 2000, Vic was on stage as "Der Wirt" in Sigmund Romberg's The Student Prince during the Heidelberger Schlossfestspiele in Heidelberg, Germany...the only "singing Wirt" in the show’s history.
At home in Kristiansand, Vic volunteers at the Kristiansand Cannon Museum, organizes art exhibitions, and most importantly, raises two little boys.
Rik Deskin
Audience Developer and Arts Programmer
Rik Deskin is a professional actor, director, stage manager and stagehand with 25 years of experience in theater, film, TV and radio. He's the founding artistic director of Eclectic Theater Company in Seattle and oversees programming produced at Odd Duck Studio, Center House Theatre and outdoor venues in Kirkland, Bellevue and Auburn year-round. A graduate of Cornish College of the Arts with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting, Mr. Deskin is also a member of the Screen Actors Guild, Actors' Equity and works as a professional stagehand under I.A.T.S.E. (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees). Rik is an advocate for actors and artists and is president-elect for the Screen Actors Guild Seattle Branch Council, a member at large of the AEA Liaison Committee and vice president of the Eastside Arts Coalition.
Recent film projects have been roles in the short films Sausage Fest; Bleed Out; Obsession; Snow Day, Bloody Snow Day and the feature film, The Standard. Recent theater projects have been understudying the role of Sebastian in Twelfth Night; producing 24 Hour Theatre and acting in/stage managing 365 Days/365 Plays Week #18 for Eclectic Theater Company. Some other companies Mr. Deskin has worked with are Book-It Repertory Theatre, Tacoma Actors Guild, Bellevue Civic Theater and Theater Schmeater.