Our story begins with a vision to transform the century-old Walla Walla Gas Plant near 6th and Rose into a Shakespearean theater for live performances. In 2009, the founders incorporated as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization – “Shakespeare Uncork’d of Walla Walla.”
By 2014, it became apparent that the building and the non-profit organization needed to separate in order for Shakespeare Uncork’d of Walla Walla to protect its nonprofit status. The founders continue to operate the building as the Gesa Power House Theatre.
After separating the two entities, a small core of board members and staff started rebuilding the nonprofit organization, now operating as “Shakespeare Walla Walla.” In 2016, with additional board members and staff, Shakespeare Walla Walla focused on its strategic plan with the goal of inspiring our community, exploring our diversity, and igniting our imaginations through live performances and education.
This is how community grows and thrives. Shakespeare Walla Walla harnesses the imagination of playwrights to open the world to audiences through the experience of live theater. But that’s not all we do. Shakespeare Walla Walla takes that imagination to classrooms in school districts throughout our region.
The current focus of Shakespeare Walla Walla is education. 2018 marks the 10th year of our in-school residency program “Living with Shakespeare,” which works alongside state-mandated high school curricula, introducing freshman students to the language and history of William Shakespeare.
We are currently preparing to revive our successful Anti-Bullying Curriculum which is based on a fast, funny, and pointed performance of “Twelfth Night” and accompanying workshops in local middle schools.
Also in the works is the return of our popular Summer Camps for youth and adults, live performances of Shakespeare’s plays, and the annual Dia de los Muertos Festival.
We’re excited about our vision for Walla Walla as a Washington destination, a city where education and Shakespearean and other performances merge in a week-long Shakespeare festival.