In Memoriam

Terry Teachout

Terry Teachout was one of the American Theater’s great enthusiasts. He brought to the job of the cultural critic the joy of someone whose vocation is also their passion.

Terry loved to laugh (his distinctive guffaw is legendary). He revered actors of great courage and physicality. And because he was also a playwright, he understood deeply the unique two-way energy that animates a great performance. Taken together, these things meant that Terry approached the job of the theatre critic with a special kind of openhearted wonder and delight. And day after day, week after week, he was able to convey that feeling to his readers through his writing. “Passion, I see, is catching.” Rest in Peace, Terry. You will be greatly missed by your friends at the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival.

“Passion, I see, is catching.” —Julius Caesar, Act III, Sc 1.

Lars Kulleseid

Lars Kulleseid was a friend to HVSF since our earliest performances, as his wife of more than 60 years, Marti Kulleseid, served as HVSF’s founding Board Chair in 1987.

Lars and Marit moved to Garrison in 1964 and became deeply involved in local community organizations. Our local schools, environmental non-profits, and cultural institutions all owe them a debt of gratitude. In addition to being essential to the founding of HVSF, he was instrumental in building the Hudson Highlands Land Trust into a dynamic force for conservation in the Hudson Highlands. Additionally, Lars is remembered in Philipstown as a husband, father, patent attorney and athlete. All of us at HVSF will remember Lars and his family’s impact on making the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival what we are today.

“We know what we are, but know not what we may be.” —Hamlet, Act IV, Sc 5.