PuSh Profiles – Board Members

December 12, 2012

PuSh Profiles is a new series where you can get to know the names and faces of the people that make this festival so great. 

* Who are you and what do you do?

Kent Gallie – Performing Arts Manager for the City of Surrey.

* How long have you been involved with the PuSh Festival?

Since 2008 as an audience member. I was the Interim Managing Director of the Festival from Jan 2010 to May 2011 while Managing Director Minna Schendlinger brought her daughter Casey into the world. I’ve been a Board member since July of 2011.

* How or why did you get involved with PuSh?

I met Norman through a mutual acquaintance when I was living in Edmonton. He told me all about this super cool festival he had founded and was curating. I moved to Vancouver in 2007 and bought a pass for the 2008 Festival. I was hooked from then on.

* What is your favorite memory of PuSh?

Wayyyy too many to pick just one, but if I have to I think probably sitting with Minna Schendlinger at the opening night of “The Show Must Go On” in 2010 and singing along in the dark with the recording of “Imagine”. There was something in that, what with us about to transition her on her way to having her baby and me into the role of managing the Festival for the coming year. I don’t know – just a special moment.

* Which PuSh shows/ experiences have stayed with you?

I guess my year as Managing Director would qualify! That and pretty much everything I’ve seen at PuSh. That’s the thing about the work that’s presented at this Festival – love it or hate it I can almost guarantee you won’t forget it.

* What shows/events are you looking forward to at this year’s festival?

I think the whole Festival is going to be amazing again this year, but I do think Do You See What I Mean? could be life changing.

* Outside of PuSh what do you do with your time?

Well, there’s this lovely woman named Susan that I spend a good deal of time with. Fitness activities, both indoors and outside, are a big part of my life, as is attending theatre and movies, going to galleries. I enjoy watching sports, especially hockey and football. I love to travel. Socializing with my friends – good food, good wine and good friends – great combo!

* What does ‘crossing the line’ mean to you?

Taking a chance on something you’re not sure about – stepping outside of your personal comfort zone to allow for a new experience even though you know it might possibly be not quite right for you, or at least not an experience that you’ve sought out before.