Deb Fialkow as Rosalind, Photo by Ken Holmes
As You Like It - Dedication to Todd Jamieson
This past April, Todd Jamieson, a close friend and colleague of many of us at Seattle Shakespeare Company, passed away after an extended battle with cancer. Diagnosed with bladder cancer in 1998, Todd had been given a clean bill of health, only to have the cancer return in 2002, metastasized throughout his body.
For Seattle Shakespeare Company, Todd and his family were, and are, very much part of our family. Todd was with us at the very beginning of the company, playing Buckingham in our inaugural production of Richard III in 1991. Todd then joined us in multiple roles for a tour of A Midsummer Night’s Dream (which included his wife, Julie, in the cast). His Claudius in our 2000-2001 Hamlet was powerful and forceful. Behind-the-scenes, Todd directed an all-female staged reading of Henry IV, Part I in 1993 (with now Artistic Director Stephanie Shine as Hotspur) and Measure for Measure for that same season. He served as a fight choreographer and outreach teacher, as well as a member of Seattle Shakespeare Company’s Artistic Committee in 1993. Along with Todd’s experiences with us, both Julie and their son Harry have played roles on our stage: most recently Julie performed in Henry V (2000) and Harry acted in our 2001 Macbeth.
More than a colleague and partner, we have lost a dear and great friend. Todd was someone who appreciated laughter and life, was brave and giving, and could be counted on for insights and strength. Quietly, he and Julie, along with their children – Amanda, Harry, and Georgia – were (and are) girders to our community, in theatre and very much beyond. At Todd’s memorial service and celebration, five hundred people turned out to pay their respects.
Todd was a blessing as a friend and will always be missed. We at Seattle Shakespeare Company dedicate this production of As You Like It to Todd and his family, with much love and respect.
– John Bradshaw, Managing Director