A TRIBUTE TO GIL MEAD

On Tuesday May 29, Signature Theatre and the entire Washington community, lost a dear friend — Gilbert Mead.

Gil served on the Board of Directors for Signature Theatre and along with his wife, Jaylee, was a major supporter of our new building, naming the lobby in memory of their son.

Gil loved musical theater, and the Meads were major underwriters for many of our Sondheim productions. He loved hearing the orchestra and was fascinated by how we coordinated the singers to the musicians in our black box spaces. I always loved seeing Gil as he welcomed me with a bright smile on his face, "Well, hello there sir!" At our openings, he usually had a themed tie on celebrating music. He had such love for the theater and music.

At our board meetings, Gil asked thoughtful, insightful questions and had objective viewpoints to offer. And his insights only helped to make Signature stronger.

I'll remember Gil for the passionate and caring person he was. He helped to change the face of theater in Washington through his giving to and enthusiasm for so many arts organizations around town. I know each one of us is proud to have the Mead name as a permanent fixture in our buildings.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Jaylee and the entire Mead family during this time. I know that as we continue to produce musical theater — something Gil loved so much — he'll still be applauding and tapping along.

-ES