Shakespeare Walla Walla

Shakespeare Walla Walla is a community effort.  This year we celebrated with the First Annual Walla Walla Summer Shakesphearian Festival covering two weeks on two stages featuring three plays with a total of 21 performances.  This year's plays included Swansong by Patrick Page,  Macbeth and The Comedy of Errors.  All were just excellent.  But it doesn't stop there.  Next up in the Power House Theatre is Marilyn: Forever Bonde starring Sunny Thompson.  Then Truman Capote's A Christmas Memory and The Tempest

.

Next year we are looking forward to a three week festival featuring four plays, plus more plays in the Power House Theatre.

Why is it a community effort?  Well, it is not a government project - although I am sure we would accept grants with no political strings attached.  The community has raised the money and is, in my opinion as an economist and business analyst, spending it wisely.

Rather than establish a resident troupe Walla Walla Shakespeare brings in professionals from established troups.  "Our" Shakespeare plays have been performed by the Seattle Shakespeare Company.  During the performances the actors and staff stay with Walla Walla families.  Great friendships are being formed.  Also, the actors are active in our local schools.  The Walla Walla Shakespeare Education Program worked with 1,600 ninth and seventh graders in 57 local classrooms.  Walla Walla Shakespeare also collaborated with Walla Wall Parks and Recreation to add a Shakespeare Summer Camp for youth.

 The existing outdoor theatre at Fort Walla Walla is used for outdoor plays.  Then the 120 year-old Gas Plant/Powerhouse is in the on-going process of being converted to the Power House Theatre.  Both have been used sucessfully.  For the Power House Theatre the work to-date has been to bring the interior up to standard.  The Power House is very close in dimensions to the Blackfriars Playhouse which William Shakespeare and others purchased in 1608.  Unlike the public open amphitheaters the Blackfriars had a roof and catered to the wealthy.  A ticket cost 2d, double the cost of a ticket at the Globe.  We do not cater to the wealthy - our tickes are reasonably priced.

If you like Shakespeare, and other fine plays, think about Walla Walla.  While here you may want to do some wine tasting and fine dining.  Walla Walla features a number of premium wineries - almost all with tasting rooms.  Then there are the rural country roads where enchanting scenes wait to be caputed by your camera, pen or brush.

Of course if you are a supporter of the arts Walla Walla Shakespeare would be most happy to accept your support.  You may find out more about Shakespeare Walla Walla at www.shakespearewallawalla.org  or direct questions to info@shakespearewallawalla.org