Kathryn Lamkey, Remembered
Season of Concern is sending loving thoughts to the family of Kathryn V. Lamkey, longtime Central Regional Director of the Actors’ Equity Association’s Chicago office. After a long illness, and surrounded by family, Ms. Lamkey passed away on October. 9, 2024.
Before beginning her work with Actors’ Equity, Kathy was an Equity Stage Manager for theatrical and dance productions, a lighting designer and a schoolteacher. In her fourteen years as a social studies teacher in Elmwood Park, she also directed theater and negotiated for the teachers’ union—both experiences which would serve her well when she made the move to Actors’ Equity. In 1986, she saw an ad for a position with Equity and decided to apply, and ten years later became the Central Regional Director, overseeing contract administration for sixteen states. She was also integral to the purchase and renovation of Actors’ Equity’s Chicago home.
Her twenty-five years of work with Chicagoland Theatres (and with theatres in the Central Region) was instrumental in bringing national attention to Chicago Theatre. Kathy’s dedication to Actors’ Equity, and to the importance of Unions, helped increase Actors’ Equity Membership, Equity Theatres, and helped increase diversity throughout Chicago and the Central Region.
Kathy, along with Actors’ Equity, was a key player with Season of Concern from its’ beginning. Season of Concern is grateful to Ms. Lamkey, and we remember her with love and appreciation.
“Kathy’s love of fairness, people, theatre, Producers, Actors, and the arts was amazing! She guided her Equity staff members with patience, understanding, and kindness. It was a truly an honor to work for her and with her. Chicago, and Professional Theatre, has lost a great friend.”
-Luther Goins – Season of Concern Board Member and President (2004-2024)
2011 Spirit, A Celebration of Diversity at Court Theatre.
L-R Kathryn V. Lamkey; Actor, Cheryl Lynn Bruce; and Season of Concern Board Member, Mark David Kaplan.