PLAYA Staff

  Kris Norris

  Executive Director

  Kris has witnessed PLAYA’s programs effect people profoundly. Sometimes the result is a life-        changing decision, sometimes it’s an affirmation that the moment’s chosen path is the right one.    Her job as Executive Director is to preserve the engagement PLAYA fosters between residents        and the fascinating natural world of the Oregon Outback where our campus is located. Leading      PLAYA’s scant and dedicated staff toward sustainable goals that support this relationship with        the natural world motivates and inspires her to carry out our mission of transforming our world      through creative inquiry in science and art.

She lives in Paisley, 17 miles south of PLAYA with her husband, Michael. She brings a skill-set from her diverse background in marketing and PR, development and budget management of non-profit organizations such as the Truckee Donner Land Trust and Truckee Tahoe Youth Theatre, a PreK-12 educator in English Language Arts and Theatre Arts in the U.S and abroad, budget management and instructing horsemanship for a 72-acre equestrian center, housekeeping, culinary and supervisory management in the local high-school dormitory and at PLAYA.

Seh travels everywhere by bicycle; commute, bike-pack, pedal for pleasure. Her competitive side is sated by participating in the Prefontaine Memorial 10k Run in Coos Bay, Oregon each fall, and she reads a gob of murder mysteries and thrillers and has authored several manuscripts in the genre.

Carrie Hardison

Program Director

Carrie comes to Playa with years of education and program management experience. In 2011, she transitioned from working as an arts educator to managing various community education programs including SUN community schools in Portland, residency and workshops programs at the Sitka Center for Art and Ecology, and family communication and connection programs for Planned Parenthood throughout the NW. She is most “at home” when managing programs at the intersection of creativity and community.

She first visited Playa in 2017 for a Cascadia Artist in Residence Network retreat and fell in love with the expansive landscape. The smell of wet sage unearthed fond memories of growing up in the desert in California. She felt immediately connected to Playa and is excited to be working as the Program Manager and dig into developing programs that foster creative reflection of this magical place.

In her spare time Carrie enjoys the outdoors with her dog Rue, nurturing her personal painting and mixed-media practice, experimenting in the kitchen with (mostly) vegetarian recipes and observing and appreciating all forms of wildlife. Her goal is to quickly obtain a pair of binoculars so she can dive into observing the birdlife surrounding Playa. She’s also eager to get the garden ready to plant and experiment with new canning and pickling recipes. 

Shawna Negus

Cuisine and Lodging Manager

I love my job at PLAYA because I love food and making people feel welcome. There’s so much pleasure in imagining and creating delicious entrees, salads, and desserts for the people who come here from all over. I also take pride in readying PLAYA’s cabins for new residents. I grew up in this county but have lived in many beautiful places from Alaska to Arizona. Now I’m fortunate to call this area home again, as it’s my favorite place of all, where I have a wonderful garden, family, and many friends.