Dear Bag&Baggage friends and family,
I have news to share that carries both pride and a touch of bittersweet sadness.
This June, our Producing Artistic Director Nik Whitcomb will leave Bag&Baggage to begin a graduate degree in Urban Planning and to take on Community Engagement work with TriMet, weaving his passion for connection into a broader commitment to community service.
Nik’s time with us was bookended by uncertainty on one side and renewed hope on the other, and he guided us across that divide with grace, imagination, and heart.
Think back to the regional premiere of Red Velvet, when the story of Ira Aldridge echoed through our black box and sparked conversations about who gets to stand center stage. Remember the laughter that rolled across the Civic Center Plaza during last summer’s free production of Tartuffe, and the applause that thundered at the end of every production performed under his guidance.Through every rehearsal, talkback, and late-night set strike, Nik reminded us why live theatre matters.
And because he leaves us stronger, we can walk confidently into what comes next.
Our Board has begun a thorough review of artistic-leadership models, and we will be making an announcement shortly about how we intend to move forward. While that work unfolds, the current season remains on track, and if anything changes you will hear from us right away.
You play an important role at Bag&Baggage, so we hope you'll join us in June and July, when we will hold open conversations at The Vault so patrons, artists, and neighbors can share hopes and ideas for the future. Watch for details in your email and on social media.
If you have questions, suggestions, or simply want to send a note of thanks to Nik, please write to info@bagnbaggage.org. Messages will be sent to Nik so he receives every word of appreciation.
Thank you for the faith you place in us each time you buy a ticket, make a donation, or tell a friend about a show. Together we will write the next act of Bag&Baggage, and I cannot wait to see you in the audience when the lights come up.
With gratitude,
Bianca McCarthy
Board Chair, Bag&Baggage Productions
bianca.mccarthy@bagnbaggage.