Navigating Our Future is paying tribute to long-time residents Helen Machin-Smith and Daniel Mayes, founders of Island Stage Left. Helen and Dan have blessed islanders and visitors for 26 years with the experience of great theatre, regardless of their income or social status. They took many of their productions to islands including San Juan, Lopez, Orcas, Waldron, and Shaw.

When we formed Navigating Our Future’s project, San Juan Islands Community Network (SJICN), in 2020, I had the privilege of asking Dan and Helen to share their story. The attached videos are meant to honor them for the gifts they have offered to us for the last couple of decades and wish them well as they move to England.

I would also like to thank my SJICN team members Heather Nicholson, who edited these videos, David Geist, Zach Milkis and Mark Kyle.

The interviews can be watched on YouTube.

Part 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAsXxA50f8A

Part 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cv3qq3lqYAU

Larry Greene

San Juan Island