Alumni Spotlight: Meredith Bullard
As a graduate of Â鶹´«Ă˝â€™s Hospitality & Eco-Tourism program, Meredith Bullard has taken her education and applied it in ways she never expected—most notably in her role as the manager of the historic 7th Street Theatre. From overcoming her fear of math to leading a theater restoration project, her story is deeply connected to the community she serves. She is proud of her accomplishment, being one of the first classes to graduate from the program, and her story serves to remind us that education is never a one-size-fits-all journey.
As a graduate of Â鶹´«Ă˝â€™s Hospitality & Eco-Tourism program, Meredith Bullard has taken her education and applied it in ways she never expected—most notably in her role as the manager of the historic 7th Street Theatre. From overcoming her fear of math to leading a theater restoration project, her story is deeply connected to the community she serves. She is proud of her accomplishment, being one of the first classes to graduate from the program, and her story serves to remind us that education is never a one-size-fits-all journey.Meredith returned to school after decades of being out of academics, and she was hesitant about the challenges ahead, particularly math. “My biggest hang-up on why I didn’t go back sooner was math—it scares me!” she admits. But with the guidance of Taya Do, an instructor who “really calmed me down about the whole math thing,” Meredith conquered her math fears and thrived in her courses.
She especially loved her art class with Nathan Barnes, which left a lasting impact on her. “I got more out of that than I think any other class,” she says. Though much of her coursework was online due to the pandemic, the in-person classes, art and biology, provided unexpected and exciting experiences. “Biology was like a field trip every day,” she recalls, highlighting the outdoor learning opportunities that helped her discover hidden gems on campus, like the Lake Swano trail. As a part of her art class, Meredith was given a list of art exhibitions to choose from, and she chose to visit the Tacoma’s Museum of Glass. She was able to wander around the area, eat lunch, and watch a glass blowing exhibition that was especially memorable. She took many pictures of the various pieces on display and wrote a paper about her experience as a part of her class requirements.
GHC also introduced Meredith to the business side of hospitality, an aspect of the program that has proved invaluable in her current role as the manager of 7th Street Theatre. Group projects, in particular, pushed her out of her comfort zone. “I wasn’t expecting that in-depth of some of the group projects we had,” she notes. These experiences refreshed her prior experience in working with people, prepared her for managing events, and taught her how to manage the logistics of running a business—all of which were essential skills for her career.
After earning her degree, Meredith worked at GHC’s Student Help Desk with Melissa Lenz, following an internship in the marketing department and a position in the Welcome Center. Only 6 months after graduation, she landed her current job at 7th Street Theatre, a beloved historic venue in Hoquiam. Managing the theater turned out to be more than just overseeing performances—it involved caring for the building itself, a challenge that she embraced wholeheartedly.
“I don’t just manage the theater, but the building tenants and back parking space as well,” she explains. The job requires balancing preservation with modernization. “Keeping the building modern but still historic is a challenge,” she says. One such challenge is the theater’s historic organ. “We have a beautiful organ we would like to put up, but we are unable to because we need to follow historic guidelines.” The Theatre also no longer runs 35MM film like they did when they first opened, switching to a more modern digital projector.
For Meredith, the most rewarding part of her job is the building itself. Growing up treasure hunting in antique shops, she has a deep, highly personal appreciation for historic spaces. “I like that I am constantly learning something—everything from electricity to plumbing to stage rigging.” She had no prior stage experience, but that hasn’t stopped her from diving in headfirst. “A few weeks ago, Stagecraft came out and did an inspection of all the rigging, way up in the fly loft. The lights, the million different kinds of lightbulbs, how expensive they are, and how far they have to come—it’s incredible.”
She credits the Theatre’s board, especially President Ray Kahler and Vice President Mickey Thurman, for their support. “I can ask them anything and they are so supportive,” she says. “They help me so much!”
Meredith’s time at GHC shaped her leadership style in unexpected ways. Her internship with the marketing department introduced her to community engagement and historical research, experiences that now inform her work at the theater. “Because I came from kitchens, everything moves so fast and I’m a multitasker. I get things DONE NOW,” she says. However, her internship in the marketing department at GHC taught her to slow down and take a more methodical approach—an essential skill for managing a historic venue.
Her years of work in kitchens, coupled with what she learned in her internship experience, provided Meredith with an incredible foundation in management. While working in the kitchen, she developed valuable skills such as multitasking, customer service, and team leadership. Her internship further expanded her knowledge and was a great introduction to office etiquette. She is grateful for her time in the internship, saying, “It helped break me into the office type setting—how to dress, what to wear, how to act, and to watch my mouth! General office etiquette should have been a whole class on its own!” These experiences have translated into her role as the manager of the 7th Street Theatre, where her ability to manage high-pressure situations, maintain smooth operations, and foster a welcoming environment, ensuring a positive experience for all guests.
She also learned the value of networking and mentorship. Though there are many volunteers that aid with the Theatre, Meredith speaks very highly of long-time volunteer, Lane Youmans, her biggest and best resource for anything theater related. “Lane is my go-to—what are the dimensions of the screen? Anything I need to know, small little details like that. He appreciates and loves the theater and grew up in the area. BIG FAN OF LANE.”
Meredith encourages anyone considering a career in hospitality or event management to just dive in. “DO IT,” she says enthusiastically. She particularly valued the eco-tourism courses, which exposed her to parts of the state she hadn’t explored before. “The trips required of us were worth it alone. They encourage you to get out and see places that I hadn’t seen.” Trips to Port Angeles and other high-traffic tourist areas stood out to her, as she learned how to effectively promote tourism and keep people returning while keeping practices sustainable. She also advises students not to let fear hold them back. “Just doing it—taking that final step of starting—was the hardest part for me. Overcoming my fear of math and committing to my degree was a huge personal victory.”
Meredith is currently gearing up for the third and final phase of the 7th Street Theatre’s restoration, set to begin in June. “I’m a little nervous,” she admits, but the project is close to her heart. The goal is to have everything completed in time for the theater’s 100-year anniversary in 2028. Plans include recreating historic photos, silent film screenings accompanied by the high school band, and even a nod to a legendary MGM event. “There was a news report with the MGM lion eating 30 pounds of steak out front of the theater,” she recalls. “We are attempting to tie that into the celebrations.”
Aside from the excitement of the restoration project, Meredith would like to share some exciting events that are coming up at 7th Street Theatre. On April 18th and 19th, there will be a showing of Neverending Story, which will be preceded by a short film by the Mermaid Museum of Westport. She says, “this is going to be fun and different—and you may see mermaids in the building!”
According to Meredith, 7th Street Theatre thrives because of passionate people like Meredith and dedicated volunteers. She encourages GHC students and community members alike to reach out and get involved! Meredith would like to invite anyone who is interested in helping with assisting with events or just being part of a historic landmark’s future; there are plenty of ways to help! The Theatre currently is searching for a projectionist to run their movies, and it only requires a single training session and commitment to a movie every other month or so. The Theatre also needs volunteers for ticket sales, ticket taking, help in the concession stand, popcorn, and the popcorn butter station. Meredith would love to see more teens and young adults visiting the Theatre and considering volunteering—there is a true need!
To stay updated on upcoming events or volunteer opportunities, please visit 7th Street Theatre’s website () or follow them on social media. Whether you’re a lifelong theater enthusiast or someone looking to contribute to the community, Meredith wants everyone to know that there is always a place for you at 7th Street Theatre.
Meredith’s path from working in kitchens to managing 7th Street Theatre is an excellent example of how GHC provides opportunities for growth, no matter where you are in life. As a returning student, she embraced the challenge of balancing her education with real-world experience, gaining skills through her program to bring her where she is today. Her time in the Hospitality & Ecotourism program gave her the time and space to refine her leadership and management abilities, learn how to act in a professional office setting, and build a strong foundation for her career. As a proud GHC graduate, Meredith’s story is a shining example of second chances, proving it is never too late to pursue your dreams and find a career that you love.