Thomas Frank Somerville

He was born May 28, 1942, in Springfield, Massachusetts. After graduating from Grinnell College in 1964 with a BA in Art/Theater, he received an MA in Theater from the University of South Dakota School of Theater. Tom also received an MFA in Directing and pursued further graduate work at the Florida State University School of Theater. He then taught for a number of years as a tenured professor at the University of Puget Sound.

Upon leaving academia, Tom had a long and successful career as a theater director. He worked throughout the United States and directed more than 160 productions. As Director of Theater at the Inside Theater in Tacoma, Washington, he directed over 50 shows, including projects with Tony Award–winner, Dan Sullivan. He also directed shows at some of the nation’s most prestigious regional theaters, including the Seattle Repertory Theater and the Long Wharf Theater in New Haven, Connecticut.

From 1985 to 1990, Tom served as Director of the Burt Reynolds Institute for Theater Training in Jupiter, Florida, where he directed many plays, including the highly-acclaimed pair Laundry & Bourbon and Lone Star. As Director of the Institute, Tom trained six cohorts of apprentice actors, many of whom have gone on to distinguished careers on the stage and in television and film productions.

As Managing/Artistic Director of the Sunset Playhouse in Milwaukee from 1990 to 1994, Tom directed over 25 productions, including Shirley Valentine with Barbara Kerr, and Rumors with Kris Johnson. Other highlights of his long career in theater included directing I Do! I Do! at Theater Memphis with Ann Sharp; Smoke & Mirrors in Milwaukee with William Clifford; as well as The Wizard of Oz, The Emperor’s New Clothes, and The Odd Couple with William Christopher, all at the Jupiter Theater.

Upon retiring from the theater, Tom moved to Tequesta, Florida, with his wife and best friend, Kathy. They enjoyed many adventures together that included travel, grandchildren, and their beloved dogs, Reilly and Cruze.

Tom was a warm and engaging person whose greatest joy was sharing a glass of wine with friends. In addition to Tom and Kathy’s wide circle of friends in Florida, he was a mentor and became lifelong friends with a number of the apprentices from his time at the Jupiter Theater. He delighted in their accomplishments both in and out of the theater.

In retirement, Tom focused his creative energy and set design skills on various projects to benefit and delight his family members, including everything from building decks and picnic tables to a wooden advent calendar in the form of a lighthouse. A great raconteur, he entertained family, friends, and most importantly, grandchildren, with fabulous stories about his travels and time in the theater.

Tom is survived by his wife of 32 years, Kathy Somerville; their five children: Hope Barkley (Doug); Scott Somerville; Sandy Seymour; Gordon Seymour (Cynthia); and Kristi Seymour; as well as five grandchildren: Grace, Joe, and Violet Barkley; and Sam and Annie Seymour.

The family plans to hold a celebration of Tom’s life at a later date.