A blithe holiday weekend for many, a somber day for the theater community.

Television, film actor, teacher and mentor to the University of Minnesota Guthrie B.F.A. acting students passed away this Thanksgiving weekend.

He is a father figure that will be greatly missed by U of M students and faculty.

As the director of company development for the Guthrie Theatre, Washington was an instrumental father figure in the U of M/Guthrie B.F.A. acting program. Though he worked primarily with the Junior and Senior classes, he had a role in many students’ lives.

 Through the actor training program, Washington wanted to provide an education that advocated diversity and inclusion at such a pivotal age in an actor’s learning curve.

Washington’s work in the theater community aimed to establish a true and inclusive multi-culturalism.

He achieved bounds with the literary department to develop and nurture relationships with living playwrights at the Guthrie Theater.

His work was well revered throughout the theatre community, nationwide, and will not be forgotten as his programming thrives on.