Originally published April 2, 2008 at 12:00 AM | Page modified April 2, 2008 at 12:47 PM
Mark Sheppard taught students to love the stage
Obituary: Mark Sheppard, 57, a longtime Seattle-area drama teacher, died March 26 from cancer.
Seattle Times theater critic
Obituary
Vashon Island resident Mark Sheppard was a seasoned professional actor and director, with a long list of local credits. But he was best known as a dedicated, inspired educator and mentor to the many students he taught at Seattle's Lakeside School and Northwest School for more than two decades, a reputation he kept right until his sudden death last week. He was 57 years old.
Mr. Sheppard, who had been fighting cancer since 2002, taught class at Lakeside School on March 25. The next day, he unexpectedly died at his home.
"He was not the 'Barefoot in the Park,' 'Bye Bye Birdie' kind of drama teacher," said his domestic partner of 28 years, writer-editor and former Seattle Times contributor Fred Albert. "He was a passionate Shakespeare scholar, and loved the classics. He even got to London this February to see plays, and managed to get a ticket to a hit production of 'Othello' that was completely sold out."
During a 25-year teaching career in local private schools, Mr. Sheppard directed many student shows, including such classics as "Tartuffe" and "The Winter's Tale," and such modern plays as "The Laramie Project."
"He saw what theater did for his students, how they blossomed and learned to express themselves, the teamwork," recalled Albert. "He taught them that it was never about being a star, it was about enriching your life."
A Tacoma native with a master's degree in drama from the University of Washington, Sheppard also worked onstage and behind the scenes at numerous professional and community theaters.
In recent years he directed frequently at Tacoma Little Theatre, including productions of "The Baker's Wife" and the play "To Kill a Mockingbird." Earlier, he performed at such venues as the Bathhouse Theatre and Empty Space Theatre, and he served as chair of the Washington Alliance for Arts Education and a board member of Vashon Allied Arts.
Mr. Sheppard's immediate survivors include Albert; his parents, Tacoma residents Sally and George Sheppard; his sisters, Christina Artman and Karen Sheppard; his brother Michael Sheppard; and niece Kristi Martin and nephew Marty Martin.
A memorial service is set for 2 p.m. April 13 at the Lakeside School, 14050 First Ave. N.E., Seattle. More details are available at the school Web site (www.lakesideschool.org).
Remembrances may be sent to Vashon Allied Arts: www.vashonalliedarts.org or 206-463-5131.
Misha Berson: mberson@seattletimes.com
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
Review: 'Artifacts of Consequence' is an apocalyptic adventure
Review: Complexions puts on a cluttered, but crowd-pleasing, performance
Review: Hang on to your seats — SSO's 'Carmina Burana' charges full speed ahead
Evergreen stories in family musicals: 'Peter Pan' in Seattle; 'St. Louis' in Issaquah
Raven, the trickster, is the star of Northwest Puppet Theater's new show

Opening day at Crystal Mountain
Skiers crowded the slopes at Crystal Mountain for one of the resort's earliest openings.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- Homeless man, 46, arrested in Greenwood arsons
- KVI talk radio host off the air as of Thursday
- Steve Kelley | ESPN's Bill Simmons gets us: He hates Clay Bennett, too
- Police investigate videotaped arrest
- Seattle U. Men's Hoops | Big recruit goes from Huskies to Redhawks
- Mariners sign Jack Wilson to 2-year contract
- Razor found in muffin an accident, 'mortified' baker says
- Suspect's family shaken by slaying of police officer
- Mountlake Terrace woman reports razor in muffin
- Man says he will protest city's gun ban by carrying gun into community center
- OSU game thread
660 - Police investigate videotaped arrest
635 - Seattle man to pack a pistol into community center to protest mayor's ban
357 - GOP clueless as families struggle with health care
196 - NYC trial for 9/11 suspects poses risks
132 - Band of advocates, activists now McGinn's likely insiders
100 - Wright State game thread
97 - Kent man challenges Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels' gun ban
95 - Licata looks at boosting traffic-ticket revenue
89 - Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19
71
- Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19
- Homeless man, 46, arrested in Greenwood arsons
- Ivar's undersea billboards a hoax devised as marketing ploy
- Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19
- Steve Kelley | ESPN's Bill Simmons gets us: He hates Clay Bennett, too
- An 802.11n upgrade could make a big difference
- KVI talk radio host off the air as of Thursday
- Washington in race for federal education funds
- Police investigate videotaped arrest
- Goodwill's Glitter Sale is Nov. 14-15





