Rocky Friedman
Rocky owned and operated the Rose Theatre in Port Townsend for over 30 years in Port Townsend, one of the most treasured independent theaters in the country. He graduated from the University of Southern California’s Department of Cinema in 1976. In 1992, he helped restore and reopen the Rose, which had closed its doors in 1958. At the time of its restoration, the theatre was recognized by the Department of Archeology and Historic Preservation as the last surviving nickelodeon in Washington State. Rocky helped launch the Port Townsend Film Festival, brought opera, ballet, theater simulcasts, and silent films accompanied by live music to Port Townsend, and is a co-founder of the School of Athens Lecture Series. He was named Business Leader of the Year in 2016 by the Port Townsend Leader.