History Connection: Kay Vega performed many roles, not just on stage

And the Lifetime Achievement Drammy award goes to Kay Griffin Vega. She received the Portland Drammy in 2010 for her outstanding work in theater in the Portland area. Portland Drammies are given by an all-volunteer group of 15 critics who attend over 100 local productions yearly then cast their votes. Voting members are all anonymous, even to each other, so as not to be influenced by theatre companies, designers, performers or each other. The award is presented at a formal ceremony in June.

“My career in theater started in 1970 when I volunteered with the Lake Oswego Community Theater (LOCT, predecessor to what is now Lakewood Theater Company). Two years later (1972) LOCT invited me to audition for The Pajama Game. At the time, performances were held in the Methodist Church off North Shore Road on Greenwood Street,” Kay recollects. “My whole family was involved with that show: I was cast in the chorus, my daughter worked backstage moving scenery and my two sons handled the parking, as space was very limited. My brother Kirby Griffin, his wife and their three sons were also involved with LOCT.”

Kay continued auditioning until LOCT President Karen Conway approached her about becoming the first producer for the theater group.

“I know nothing about producing,” Vega protested. To which Conway replied, “I will teach you.”

Kay’s job as executive producer began in 1981 when she transitioned from volunteer to full-time employee. As executive producer, Kay played many different roles. She did a lot of hiring: Andrew Edwards as executive director in 1979, Kurt Herman as technical director (now retired), plus administrative staff and production crew. She worked as production coordinator and producer, assistant director, served two terms on the board and chaired the play selection committee. Not only did Kay work in administrative roles, she also sang, danced, acted (“No, No, Nanette” 1985) and gave piano and organ lessons.

Commenting on her job as executive producer, Kay stated, “It’s good to have plays with an entertaining storyline, but I also wanted the audience to learn something. I would travel to other cities to see performances so I could determine if a certain show would appeal to Lakewood audiences and teach them something.” Collaborating with Breakaway Tours, Kay coordinated many annual theater trips to London and New York City. The role she loved playing the most (tongue in cheek) was the go-to LOPD called when they found an unlocked door at Lakewood Center.

Don Irving, Lakewood board member, remarked, “Kay always seemed to select unusual gems such as ‘Spamalot,’ based on the ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’ comedy. And she spearheaded Lakewood’s Lost Treasures, a series of rarely performed musicals /plays performed in a cabaret-style setting without props and costumes.” Did I mention Kay also had a hand in starting a Reader’s Theater group at Lakewood? And she earned a degree in communication from Marylhurst.

A student of Richard Purvis, well-known organist at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, Kay trained at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She has extensive credits as a professional musician, symphonic choir vocalist and actress. She planned and developed programs for The League of Women Voters, the Girl Scouts of America and served on the board of directors for The School of Opera & Related Arts. In addition to the Drammy, Kay won two OTAS (Oregon Theatrical Award Society) awards: the $100,000 Producer Award for her work from 1973-1979 and best musical director in 1980 for “Something’s Afoot.” Lakewood Theater Company presented Kay with the appreciation award in 1995 and named her producer emerita in 2016 when she retired.

Kay now lives in Ashland, close to her daughter Maureen. Her two sons live on the east coast. She did it all – and probably saw it all and heard it all. “Her legacy will last a lifetime,” says Don Irving. “She was so instrumental in building up Lakewood Center, selecting plays that have made it the quality theater it is today.”

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