SPOTLIGHT: Karter Deane, Merc Playhouse Technical Director

“I’m so impressed that a community this size has thriving live theater. I never dreamed I could follow my passion without living in a big city.” 
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The Merc Theater’s new Technical Director Karter Deane is thrilled to practice her craft right here in the Methow Valley. She expected she would have to live in a big city for that dream to come true. She’s not the only one who is thrilled. The Merc lucked out to have such a qualified person living locally to fill the position. 

Karter attended college in Colorado and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts with a focus in Technical Theater. Her training and experience includes all aspects of live theater from set design, lighting, acting and directing.  “Collaborating with people in different roles is what makes the work interesting”, she said.  She performed in several productions in high school including, Little Shop of Horrors, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and MIdsummer Night’s Dream to mention a few. In college her focus shifted toward the tech side of theater.

Karter’s life experiences have given her exposure to a wide range of people and rich adventures. She worked seven seasons on an Alaskan fishing boat where she met her husband Elliott Layfield (who graduated from Liberty Bell High School). They moved from Anacortes to the Methow Valley to raise their young family which includes their two-year old son Ridge and eight-month old daughter Ryett. Along with being a wife and mother, Karter has a diverse work history in the service industry, construction trades, painting and recently working for a CPA during tax season. She still finds time to sing karaoke and make music a big part of her children’s life. 

Karter is looking forward to more community involvement.  She is especially excited to work with Liberty Bell High School drama students to help grow the program and to teach students the tech side of theater.  “Theater is a cool way to bring all types of people together to work on one project to create something”, she said.

Next time you are sitting in the darkened theater and the performance is enhanced with a sound effect or special lighting, think about Karter.  She is an important part of creating the magic that is live theater!!

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