Premium

New GPAC leader is immersed in local arts

By , Daily Memphian Updated: June 23, 2025 11:08 AM CT | Published: June 22, 2025 4:00 AM CT

Parke Kennedy’s love for the arts began in Brazil where she spent most of her childhood.

As the new executive director of Germantown Performing Arts Center, she wants to keep the offerings the community has come to expect from the suburban theater. She began her new role earlier this month. However, some aspects of her Brazilian background still contribute to her characteristics.

Kennedy served as GPAC’s development director the past eight years. Many nights, she’d step on stage and welcome guests. Often performances are one night, and so if someone misses a show, they don’t have another opportunity to see it.

This is an excerpt of this story. To read more, please click here and subscribe.

Topics

Germantown Germantown Performing Arts Center GPAC Parke Kennedy Subscriber Only

We’re in the final countdown of 2025. ⌛🪩🎉

Will you make a donation before the ball drops on New Year’s Eve to fuel trustworthy reporting in the new year?

➡️ Make a fully tax-deductible donation or other contribution to The Daily Memphian, a 501(c)3 nonprofit news organization.

We believe an informed Memphis is a better Memphis. If you agree, join our growing list of donors now!

Abigail Warren

Abigail Warren

Abigail Warren is an award-winning reporter and covers Collierville and Germantown for The Daily Memphian. She was raised in the Memphis suburbs, attended Westminster Academy and studied journalism at the University of Memphis. She has been with The Daily Memphian since 2018.


Comments

Want to comment on our stories or respond to others? Join the conversation by subscribing now. Only paid subscribers can add their thoughts or upvote/downvote comments. Our commenting policy can be viewed here