Bainbridge Performing Arts Welcomes Mark A. Nichols As New Technical Director

Bainbridge Performing Arts is pleased to welcome former board member Mark A. Nichols as the organization's new Technical Director. "Working on staff with BPA is like a homecoming of sorts for me," Mark said when asked about his new role. "I started in theatre and music very young and pursued it in my formal academic training. Although my corporate entertainment career occupied center stage for three decades, I kept performing arts active in the wings. I always intended to return to my roots and also to teach. Now everything has come full circle: I finally get to realize both intentions in an organization close to my heart, with people for whom I have great fondness and respect, and for a community I am pleased to serve. I could not be happier or more honored to be given this opportunity."

After getting his BFA in Drama (USC), Mark served as Performing Arts Director for Spirit Square (Charlotte, NC) promoting and designing hundreds of productions. He later served as Project/Show Producer for Disney, Universal Studios, and others, overseeing all aspects of entertainment projects such as Harry Potter the Exhibition global tour and Reflections of Earth (at Epcot). In 2012, Mark left corporate entertainment, got his Theatre MFA, and moved to Bainbridge Island, where he's enjoyed working with BPA (on the Board and helping with shows) and BARN (serving as their first Executive Director). Most recently at BPA, Mark designed lighting for Building the Wall and scenery for Xanadu.

This summer, Mark expands his role into teaching various forms of stagecraft in BPA Theatre School's new Teen Tech Boot Camp, which runs July 13 - August 11. In this class, students will take the lead behind the scenes, gaining practical and applied learning as well as becoming qualified to pursue leadership roles in the tech program at Bainbridge High School.

Bainbridge Performing Arts (BPA) is a non-profit community performing arts center whose team of theatre professionals works with volunteer cast members from Bainbridge, Kitsap, Seattle, and beyond to produce professional-quality, vigorously-supported, and enthusiastically-attended shows in our 245-seat facility. We produce five Mainstage shows a year, including a summer Shakespeare production at nearby Bloedel Reserve. BPA also houses The Edge Improv, Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra, and BPA Theatre School, which has a longstanding tradition of supporting learners of all ages to build the skills and confidence to perform on stage and in everyday life.

BPA is supported, in part, by Bainbridge Community Foundation, the City of Bainbridge Island, and One Call for All.

Find out more about BPA at www.bainbridgeperformingarts.org, or check us out on Facebook (www.facebook.com/BPAonline and www.facebook.com/BainbridgeSymphonyOrchestra), follow BPA and BSO on LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/in/bpasallyjomartine) and Twitter (@BPAPresents). Check online for the latest on theatre and symphony auditions, complete theatre school and adult class offerings, performance listings, tickets, promos, and more. Go to "About BPA" and click on "Get Our Newsletter" to receive electronic performance announcements and behind-the-scenes news.