Shakespeare Walla Walla

Rescue pup lands gig in 'Merchant of Venice'

Breezy the long-haired miniature Chihuahua is available for adoption at the Blue Mountain Humane Society.

WALLA WALLA — The long-haired miniature Chihuahua mix may the perfect purse dog for a modern-day Portia in “The Merchant of Venice.” But she’s also an example of brilliant product placement.

The 2-pound pup making her stage debut at the Gesa Power House Theatre is also a rescue dog that will be available for adoption from the Blue Mountain Humane Society. Breezy came to the Humane Society on July 1 after being abandoned in a Dayton neighborhood, said Sara Archer, the animal shelter’s executive director. The pooch had a “cherry eye,” a common congenital eye disorder that has since been fixed. Now 3 months old, she was just large enough to spay about a week ago, Archer said.

When Shakespeare Walla Walla Executive Director Ron Williams called to see if the shelter had a dog that could be in the show, Breezy was the perfect choice, Archer said. “She is just so sweet,” she said. “She just (lies) there looking adorable. It’s kind of her best trick.”

During this Friday’s performance at the Power House Theatre, Breezy will be joined by a number of other dogs available for adoption. Archer said despite Breezy’s celebrity status, applications will be considered on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The cameo appearances by the mild-mannered dog are just one example of the groundbreaking partnerships established between Shakespeare Walla Walla and local nonprofit organizations throughout the run of the show. From last Thursday’s Pay-What-You-Will preview through the Aug. 18 finale, Shakespeare Walla Walla is working as a vessel of giving at every performance. What’s new this show is that ticket-holders can donate $4 of their full-priced ticket to a nonprofit for that performance.

“It all started with the Pouring Profits program at the Gesa Power House Theatre,” Williams said in a prepared statement. “The proceeds from wine sold at the Power House always go to a local nonprofit. When I stepped into this role and started preparing for the run of ‘The Merchant of Venice,’ I asked our team, ‘How can we do more?’”

They set out to get 100 percent of the wines donated to maximize potential income for the nonprofits. When that was accomplished, they instituted the ticket-share piece. As many as 342 tickets are available for any given performance, which means there’s potential for more than $1,000 to be raised for the nonprofit partners.

For Archer, the role for Breezy helps put rescue dogs in the spotlight. “They do come in glamorous packages,” Archer said. “They come in every shape and size.” She said the partnership with Shakespeare Walla Walla is an opportunity to work together in order to accomplish their individual goals. “The possibilities of that happening in this community and this community being open to that is one of the best things about Walla Walla,” she said.

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Those buying tickets online must use a code to designate the donation from their tickets to the nonprofit of their choosing.

During last week’s debut the wine sales beneficiary was the Lillie Rice Center, with wines provided by Spring Valley Vineyard, Revelry Vintners, Va Piano and College Cellars. Wine sales Tuesday and Wednesday will benefit Planned Parenthood with wines from Charles Smith Wines and DaMa. Thursday’s sales of wines donated by Mark Ryan Winery will benefit Camp Fire. Friday’s wine sales donated by Sweet Valley Wines will benefit Blue Mountain Humane Society. On Saturday, the wine sales from donations by Three Rivers Winery will benefit Amercain Cancer Society Relay for Life.

Shakespeare Walla Walla will be the beneficiary during the two Sunday matinees when wines will be provided by Forgeron Cellars and Amavi Cellars.

Donations from tickets can be designated using the nonprofit codes during checkout: LILLIE for the Lillie Rice Center; PPGIVE for Planned Parenthood; CAMP for Camp Fire; PETS for the Humane Society; and ACSGIVE for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life.

- from the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin. Vicki Hillhouse can be reached at vickihillhouse@wwub.com or 526-8321.

Shakespeare Walla Walla Appoints New Executive Director

Walla Walla Resident Ron Williams takes leadership role

(June 24, 2013, Walla Walla, WA)
Walla Walla, WA resident, Ron Williams, has been appointed the new Executive Director of Shakespeare Walla Walla. Formed in 2007, Shakespeare Walla Walla is the only professional theater company in Eastern Washington. Retiring board of directors members Dennis Ledford and Mark Anderson selected Williams based on his extensive experience in the theater and film industry.

“Ron is a passionate advocate for Walla Walla and for the performing arts,” says Ledford. “His extensive experience producing and acting on the stage and in film combined with his love of the community made him the perfect choice for the Executive Director role.”

Williams relocated to Walla Walla from Seattle initially as a partner in an architectural design and construction management company but was quickly drawn to the wine industry. In 2009 Williams became the retail manager of the new Waterbrook Winery facility where he reestablished his relationship with the arts using the venue to stage art exhibits and music performances.

After receiving a theater degree from Occidental College, Williams worked at significant theaters in Southern California, including the Mark Taper Forum, Pasadena Civic Auditorium, Conejo Players, and spent three seasons at the Remsen-Bird Amphitheatre, Occidental College Outdoor Summer Repertory Festival.

Disney Special Events Entertainment took Williams to Orlando and later to the Candlewood Playhouse in Connecticut as an assistant producer. Williams then headed to New York where he garnered numerous on-and off-stage credits, most notably in stage management at the Roundabout Theatre. Williams’ growing interest in television and film landed him in Rome, Italy, where he spent seven years working in all aspects of television and film production. After garnering various film and television credits, Williams landed a starring role in “The Boy in the Golden Kimono”. He later became the Executive Producer for what became a cult series of nine episodic films.

Community involvement is at the heart of Williams’ vision. “I am looking to partner with local schools, universities, the symphony, dance companies, and performance groups,” says Williams. “I can foresee wonderful performances in vineyards and wineries as well as in the theater. I’m also looking to expand the program to include theater camp, writers workshops, improvisation workshops, and a lecture series. I look forward to working with anyone who wants to come play with us,” says Williams. “The door is wide open.”

In the short time since Williams took the helm he has already attracted new board members to replace retiring members Dennis Ledford and Mark Anderson, including David Crawford, Tom Drumheller, Chaundra Dominguez, Suzanne Shafer and Tom Maccarone. Original board member Barbara Peterson will continue to serve. Dennis Ledford will continue to serve as a non-voting member of the Education Committee, one of the areas Williams plans to expand.

Shakespeare Walla Walla offers performances throughout the year with the annual summer festival occurring in August. Stephanie Shine has directed the performances which have included The Tempest, Romeo and Juliet, Much Ado About Nothing and more. The actors are from Shakespeare across the US and from Walla Walla. The primary venues for Shakespeare Walla Walla have been the GESA Powerhouse Theatre and The Fort Walla Walla Amphitheater.

Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice plays onstage at the Gesa Power House Theatre Aug 8 – 18, 2013, with performances nightly, includes 7:30 pm evening performances on August 10, 14, 15, 16, and 17, with 3:00 pm matinee performances on August 10, 11, 17 and 18. Doors open one hour prior to show time. Ticket prices are $29 and $25, with special $9 student tickets. For full program details and to buy tickets visit www.PHTWW.com or www.shakespearewallawalla.org

Shakespeare Walla Walla re-launches with clear mission, expands vision

(June 26, 2013, Walla Walla, WA) Under the direction of the professional theatre organization’s new executive director, Ron Williams, Shakespeare Walla Walla is poised to expand its vision and role as a vital festival destination. “We’re expanding our vision in terms of potential performances, workshops, and venues. Shakespeare Walla Walla has the potential to become a major festival destination, to add to the booming wine and culinary draw,” says Williams. “The economic impact that arts festivals provide - Ashland for example – extends exponentially beyond the community. However, we have to start at home. Walla Walla has an incredibly rich cultural history and many talented artists and performers. Let’s explore our own back yard.”

“In addition to theater performances, Shakespeare Walla Walla has made a significant impact in the schools,” Williams says, referring to the 1600 students in the Walla Walla Valley who participated in the spring production of Romeo and Juliet. “But I’m looking to expand beyond the schools with camps, writers’ workshops, playwright workshops, a lecture series…”

This summer Shakespeare Walla Walla expands its education outreach by offering summer theater workshops for kids of all ages. “We’re moving into the YMCA,” says the new SWW Education Director Thomas Beebe, “We’ve got two full days of camp for over 100 kids, July 30 and 31.” SWW is also focusing on bilingual education and taking it on the road. “We have to go out into the community and find the kids where they live,” says Beebe, “We want to bring together all our children in multi-cultural performances, but first we have to get them excited about theater, and that means we have to reach them in their native language.”

“This is a multi-faceted approach,” says Williams. “We start with our youngest kids and play theatre games. We have our high school youth helping with the theater camps, and offer acting workshops, opportunities to work behind-the-scenes in technical areas like lighting and sound, costumes, sets, even front-of-house management, box office, marketing. Interested college students and community volunteers will have the chance to be trained to go out into the schools to conduct classroom education. This is how we create a theater program that can have significant impact locally, regionally, and even nationally.” Shakespeare Walla Walla is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization offering professional Shakespeare productions at the Gesa Power House Theatre. Volunteers make of the vast majority of the workforce, and the organization depends on the support of the community to sustain valuable programming. All are welcome to participate by contacting the organization through info@shakespearewallawalla.org or by calling (509) 520-3223.

For more information please contact Erica Walter at 509-876-1662 or Erica@phtww.com.

About Shakespeare Walla Walla
Shakespeare Walla Walla originally performed at the Fort Walla Walla amphitheater. In 2011 the Gesa Power House Theatre building was transformed into a state-of-the-art playhouse for live performance. The interior design was inspired by Shakespeare’s own intimate Blackfriars Theatre in London, England. The Gesa Power House Theatre is owned by Power House Theater LLC, a for-profit limited partnership. Shakespeare Walla Walla enjoys performing at the historic theater and operates as its own 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization.

For more marketing and media information, interviews, hi-res images, or video footage contact:

Erica Walter
Director of Marketing & Sales
Erica@phtww.com
509-876-1662

Shakespeare Walla Walla Presents: The Merchant of Venice

Shakespeare’s compelling comedy runs August 8-18

(June 26, 2013, Walla Walla, WA) Shakespeare Walla Walla (SWW) is proud to announce their summer production of The Merchant of Venice, with twelve performances at the Gesa Power House Theatre (GPHT) running from August 8 to August 18. SWW Artistic Director Stephanie Shine has assembled a cast and crew of professional actors and artists locally and from around the country. To direct, Shine brings Los Angeles' Action! Theatre Company Artistic Director Tiger Reel on board.

William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice shines the spotlight on themes of prejudice and mercy that are timely and relevant even four hundred years after the work was written. Shakespeare Walla Walla’s production of The Merchant of Venice will be performed in modern dress, examining our well-moneyed, celebrity-crazed Hollywood culture with Shakespeare’s beautiful language.

“What sets this production of The Merchant of Venice apart is the breathtaking swiftness of the storytelling,” says Artistic Director Stephanie Shine. “It’s a thriller. People will be on the edge of their seats.” And while the play does grapple with heavy themes, it also has uplifting elements of both comedy and romance. Shine continues. “Shakespeare has this delightful way of using unexpected characters to show us absolute truth, making us all feel capable of greatness.”

The production stars Jack Young as Shylock (appearing courtesy of Actors Equity Association). Mr. Young and director Tiger Reel are co-adaptors of this urgently-paced edition, which played to critical acclaim and sold-out houses last year in Los Angeles. Jack Young is the head of the University of Houston Professional Actor Training Program and Houston Shakespeare Festival Associate Artistic Director. Portia is played by Amelia Fischer, who will be remembered by Shakespeare Walla Walla audiences for her magical portrayal of Miranda in last year’s spring co-production of The Tempest. Joining them on stage are notable local actors Kevin Loomer, starring also in the upcoming production of The Music Man at the Fort Walla Walla Walla amphitheater, and recent WW High School graduate Cougar Henderson. Mr. Loomer runs the drama program at the WW Community College and is beloved by local audiences for his work on- and off-stage.

In addition to the twelve performances on stage, newly appointed SWW Executive Director Ron Williams has planned several educational programs to coincide with the run of The Merchant of Venice. “Involving local children in the performing arts is central to our mission for Shakespeare Walla Walla. Since I’ve come on board it has been a key focus for this summer’s program,” says Williams. “Whitman College and Walla Walla University will be helping with a number of projects including pre-show discussions about The Merchant of Venice, and outreach to community-based advocacy organizations. We are also piloting a summer theater camp for kids at the YMCA this year.” For more information on these programs please visit ShakespeareWallaWalla.org

The Merchant of Venice will preview at the Gesa Power House Theatre at 7:30 pm on Thursday, August 8, with a special “Pay-What-You-Will” performance. Opening Night follows on Friday, August 9 at 7:30 pm and includes a celebratory post-show reception with the actors. The run then includes 7:30 pm evening performances on August 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17, with 3:00 pm matinee performances on August 10, 11, 17 and 18. Doors open one hour prior to show time. Ticket prices range from $9 to $29 for reserved seating with special pricing available through FLEX ticket packages. Shakespeare Walla Walla is currently seeking show sponsors and ticket sponsors who will subsidize student ticket prices to allow as many young people as possible the opportunity to experience live theater. For full program details and to buy tickets, visit www.PHTWW.com or ShakespeareWallaWalla.org.

About Shakespeare Walla Walla
Shakespeare Walla Walla originally performed at the Fort Walla Walla amphitheater. In 2011 the Gesa Power House Theatre building was transformed into a state-of-the-art playhouse for live performance. The interior design was inspired by Shakespeare’s own intimate Blackfriars Theatre in London, England. The Gesa Power House Theatre is owned by Power House Theater LLC, a for-profit limited partnership. Shakespeare Walla Walla enjoys performing at the historic theater and operates as its own 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. The Merchant of Venice production marks SWW’s seventh annual summer festival.

For more marketing and media information, interviews, hi-res images, or video footage contact:

Erica Walter
Director of Marketing & Sales
erica@phtww.com
509-876-1662

Group Sales or playbill advertising contact:

Stacy Buchanan
Sales and Marketing
StacyB.pht@gmail.com
509-540-4420