A lead actress for the San Francisco Shakespeare Company for two years, Kate Kennedy founded Avalon Players in 1980 and the group is celebrating its 35th season. Ms. Kennedy is the 1999 recipient of the City of Sonoma Treasure Artist of the Year.

Artistic director and founder Kate Kennedy, of Avalon Players is well known to locals for her years of Shakespeare performances at Buena Vista Winery and Gundlach Bundschu Winery.

Kennedy is also a founding member of the Performing Arts Camp for children, where she's shared her love of Shakespeare and Improvisation with over 3,000 children.