Alumni News

KIRK THATCHER ’77 is an Emmy award winning writer/producer, an award winning television, commercial and viral video director, as well as a creature maker and designer for both films and television.

Kirk was one of the three regular judges on the Syfy channel series,“Jim Henson’s Creature Shop Challenge”. In 2018 he created and Executive Produced a series for Netflix entitled, “The Curious Creations of Christine McConnell” with Christine McConnell and the Jim Henson company. He also co-wrote and co-directed the hit Muppet Live Shows that played at the Hollywood bowl and in London’s O2 stadium.

Kirk was an associate producer on Star Trek IV, in which he had a memorable cameo as the Punk on the Bus, rocking out to the punk anthem he both wrote and sang, called, “I Hate You.” Hard to believe he once suffered from severe stage fright. Kirk credits teachers Cindy Linke and Hal Hoerner, from his time at Berkeley Hall with understanding his potential, getting him out of himself, casting him in two plays. He had such a good time performing, he lost all sense of embarrassment, and the rest is history.

DANIEL MALAKHOV ’01 “BHS made a significant impact on me and I’m forever grateful for my time there”. Daniel moved to San Francisco in 2015 and is currently working as a Manager of Brand Marketing for Blend, a financial technology startup. In March 2019 he married his long-time partner Joshua Brost, Director of Marketing at Microsoft. ALLEN RUBINCHUK ‘13 after being away for a full year in the Army, came back to Berkeley Hall to surprise his brother Milan in Kindergarten! He shared, “Seeing my brother for the first time in a year made me so happy. He always looks up to me, and now that he’s at Berkeley Hall, I feel he will follow in my footsteps and work hard to be successful. Berkeley Hall taught me how to strive for success in life, my teachers prepared me educationally and I learned how to achieve goals I never thought I could accomplish. Being mentally prepared for high school was a big advantage because I knew how to better myself in life, as I pursued becoming a doctor, and as I took my first steps into adulthood by joining the army. I’m thankful that my brother is getting the same preparation for life, it has served me well.

Gifts of cash are tax deductible within the guidelines established by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Credit card gifts can be completed securely online at www.berkeleyhall.org/give. Please make checks payable Giving a gift of real estate, such as a personal home,

to Berkeley Hall and mail them to our Business Office.

We encourage pledges to the Annual Fund, so that participation can be counted early in the year. All pledge supplies, equipment, artwork and furniture.

commitments should be fulfilled by June 30, in order to count for the current fiscal year. You can make a pledge to the Annual Fund online at www.berkeleyhall.org/give.

Berkeley Hall provides the opportunity to give recurring gifts. If you are interested in giving a recurring gift, please visit our website at www.berkeleyhall.org/give.

Many corporations will match an employee’s gift to a gift. Please ask your employer for a matching gift form.

Should you wish to donate stocks or bonds to BHS, please contact the Advancement Office.

If you wish to support Berkeley Hall as well as receive an income stream, a charitable gift annuity is a great option. Please contact the Advancement Office for more details.

vacation home, undeveloped property, or a farm, can be a highly effective philanthropic and financial strategy.

We welcome non-cash gifts of goods or services. Examples of gifts-in-kind include, but are not limited to books,

Remembering Berkeley Hall in your will or charitable trust, or as a beneficiary to a retirement plan offers the charitable institution such as BHS, effectively doubling your

lives for years to come.

If you would like assistance planning your contribution, please contact Sonya Nuñez at snunez@berkeleyhall.org or at 6421, ext. 259.

BERKELEY HALL 16000 Mulholland Drive Los Angeles, CA 90049 310-476-6421 www.berkeleyhall.org