35 years ago, Michael Gillespie hired Karen Sheridan to join him and Susan Barrett at Oakland University. She came from Chicago with her carpetbag just off a national tour. What followed was a brilliant succession of students and colleagues, many of whom still “check in.” In 1993, Cloud Nine came to the regional festival, then the Kennedy Center. Since then Karen’s been a respondent, workshop leader, faculty fellow and actor at the MFA Playwrights’ Workshop. The festival has given her students major opportunities. She and they are grateful. Karen’s likes to say she’s trained horses for Carolyn Gillespie, moved drugs for Karen Saari, destroyed the Spanish language with Alan Kopischke, bet on the Wives with Bill Jenkins, shared the Harmonic Convergence with Michael Gillespie, silently wowed New Jersey crowds with Gregg Henry, made Scots of Kelli Crump’s students and is currently throwing the February toga party at Wayne State for Michael Barnes. “I am so lucky to have had a teacher when I was 15, who changed the non-direction of my life. And now you and I—essential workers, are charged to do the same. Let’s keep supporting voices and stirring the storytellers!” Thanks, ACTF.