Donor Spotlight: Sean and Kerin Munro

Sean and Kerin Munro have been members of the Bard on the Beach family for over a decade. Their journey with Bard began long before they became donors, with Kerin attending her first performance in 1991. Since then, attending Bard has become a cherished tradition for the Munros, marking the height of their summer each year.

We  had the privilege of speaking with Sean and Kerin about the start of their journey with Bard, their annual traditions, and their thoughts on the evolution of the Festival.

Sean and Kerin Munroe in front of the BMO Mainstage sign.

Let’s start with how you first came to Bard.
Kerin Munro (KM): I first went to Bard in 1991, during the second year of the Festival. It was a performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. My mother grew up in New York City, where she was deeply immersed in the rich culture and arts of the city. It was incredibly important to her that we, her children, had the same opportunities to experience and appreciate the arts as she did. She saw an ad in the North Shore News for Bard’s Salmon BBQ dinner with a fireworks event. She bought tickets for the whole family, and it became a tradition for us every summer. As I got older, I continued to enjoy it and eventually introduced Sean to Bard when we started courting.

Sean Munro (SM): It’s become a tradition for us. We plan our summers around it. We know we’re not going anywhere in August because Bard is a priority. We’ve been attending every year, every [production], and we try to participate in as many Member events as possible.

Since you’ve been attending for so long, is there a particular year or show that stands out to you?
KM: There have been so many great ones. The steampunk A Midsummer Night’s Dream was really unique. I also loved the adaptation of Coriolanus that featured a strong female protagonist.

SM: Richard III with Bob Frazer stands out for me on the Howard Family Stage. [Dean Paul] Gibson’s portrayal of Falstaff was phenomenal. The quality of the production is always world-class, and even though I wouldn’t describe myself as a Shakespeare fan, the talent and vibe of live theatre at Bard are exceptional.

KM: Antony and Cleopatra was another standout, and most recently, Goblin:Macbeth. Anything with Colleen Wheeler or Jennifer Lines is always a must-see for us.

SM: And Andrew [Wheeler], I could watch him forever.

BOTB: What has inspired you to support Bard as donors for the past 12 years?
SM: There are a few reasons. First, Bard is a gem that we can’t take for granted, and we’d hate to see it disappear. It has enriched our lives so much that we want to ensure it continues. Second, the quality of the entertainment is amazing; it feels like we could charge more for tickets than we do given the quality that we get. And third, in a broader sense, supporting the arts is crucial. The arts and sciences are often overlooked in donations and philanthropy, yet they add so much to our culture and society.

KM: I couldn’t have said it better myself.

What do you think sets Bard on the Beach apart from other theatre festivals?
SM: It’s truly a world-class production. We’ve both been lucky to enjoy theatre all around the world. I would put Bard up against productions we’ve seen in London and New York any day. It’s also rooted in the community, which makes it feel like it belongs to everyone.

KM: The community aspect is really special. When you’re at Bard, it feels like you’re part of something bigger, like you’re in the play together with everyone else. The volunteers have been coming back for years, everyone wants to be a part of it and everyone is proud of it and wants to share it.

KM: It’s also innovative.

SM: You don’t know what you’re going to get, and it’s often pretty cool what you get.

You mentioned that Bard has been instrumental in your date night traditions. Could you tell us more about that?
KM: It’s definitely become a tradition for us. When we first started going, there were no pre-seats, so we’d pack a picnic and sit outside. As the Festival evolved and seats were available, we started exploring nearby restaurants. Our latest tradition is that we always go for dinner beforehand, often at AnnaLena or Oddfish. We talk about the show we’re about to see, reminisce about past performances, and the tradition really is to make it a date night. Sometimes our friends join us, and it’s turned into a larger tradition.

SM: Kerin had been going to Bard long before I did, but it quickly became part of our tradition as a couple.

KM: We even talked about possibly asking if we could have our wedding at Bard! We actually talked about if it would be a viable option, and if we would buy tickets for everyone to watch the play afterwards. Maybe a wedding anniversary!

What are your hopes and dreams for Bard in the future and how would you like to see it evolve?
SM: Change can be difficult, but Bard has evolved in positive ways over the years. The wine has gotten better over the years, the bathrooms too. A permanent location could offer new opportunities, like year-round performances, but we’d want to keep that special summer tradition. Whatever happens, we hope the city recognizes the value Bard brings to Vancouver and supports it.

SM: One other thought that comes to mind is that on the education side, I know Bard engages in that way but it’s largely opaque to me. During the COVID years we signed up for Speech of the Week and that was a glimpse into some of the educational elements that most of us maybe don’t know very much about. That’s one element that is maybe on the evolutionary path from a community perspective.

What was your favourite show since the pandemic, amongst the 2022, 2023, and 2024 Seasons?
SM/KM: As You Like It.

What is your go-to concession order?
SM/KM: Water, a cookie, and a glass of wine.

Matinee or evening?
SM/KM: Evening.

Comedy or tragedy?
SM/KM: Both.

Where do you like to sit in the theatre?
SM/KM: Very front row, middle. In the splash zone.

Do you have anything in your home from the Bard Boutique?
SM/KM: Wine goblets and the fleece sweaters.

Thank you so much, Sean and Kerin, for sharing your story and for your continued support of Bard! We really appreciate your time.