Valley Shakespeare Company

04/23/2024

The audition notice is up! So excited that there will be lots of theatre at WOU this summer!

AUDITION SIGN UP FOR
Ken Ludwig’s Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood

AUDITIONS SATURDAY
May 18th, 2024

Auditions for WOU Summer Theatre’s summer production of Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood will be held on Saturday May 18th, with call backs to be held on Sunday May 19th. Auditions will be held in the Math/Nursing Building (Room 108) on the campus of Western Oregon University.

Each actor will sign up for a 5-Minute slot on the link below and fill in the required audition form. Actors should prepare 1 monologue in the style of the show, and if you have musical talents please share 15-30 seconds of singing, playing etc.

PLEASE SIGN UP BY COMPLETING THIS FORM https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdaqUSB-ZbOpMX-LF6QZQhzsSceIWHJKWbs5Sk7d6JHgcLFcg/viewform?usp=sf_link

Rehearsals will be held Monday – Friday nights from 6 - 10PM beginning Monday, June 24 in the Ted Winters Math and Nursing Building on the campus of Western Oregon University (WOU). Performances will be Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, July 31, August 1, 2, 3In Rice Auditorium on the Campus of WOU. All performances will begin at 6:30PM, there will be a 2:00 preview on July 31.

03/14/2024

Summer Theatre returns!

WOU Theatre is pleased to announce the return of Summer Theatre with a production of Ken Ludwig’s uproarious play Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood, directed by Hannah Fawcett.

Packed with thrills, romance, laughter, and immortal characters like Little John, Friar Tuck, and Maid Marian, Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood tells the enduring story of a hero of the people who takes on the ruthless powers that be. So get ready to duck a quarterstaff or two - you won’t want to miss a moment of the swashbuckling fun!

Rehearsals will begin June 24th, with show dates August 1-3.

Student positions are available: we’re looking for Stage Managers, Assistant Director, shop and run crews are all available. Let faculty know if you’re interested in filling any of these positions.

Keep watch for upcoming info about auditions and other things related to the return of Summer Theatre!

WOU Theatre is pleased to announce the return of Summer Theatre with a production of Ken Ludwig’s uproarious play Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood, directed by Hannah Fawcett.

Packed with thrills, romance, laughter, and immortal characters like Little John, Friar Tuck, and Maid Marian, Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood tells the enduring story of a hero of the people who takes on the ruthless powers that be. So get ready to duck a quarterstaff or two - you won’t want to miss a moment of the swashbuckling fun!

Rehearsals will begin June 24th, with show dates August 1-3.

Student positions are available: we’re looking for Stage Managers, Assistant Director, shop and run crews are all available. Let faculty know if you’re interested in filling any of these positions.

Keep watch for upcoming info about auditions and other things related to the return of Summer Theatre!

08/07/2023

Catch Struts & Frets Theatre Company’s production of

THE WINTER’S TALE
August 16*-19 | 7:00pm | Eola Hills Wine Cellars
*ASL Interpreted performance

This production is directed by Valley Shakespeare Acting Company Member, Hannah Fawcett and stars VS Acting Company Members, Jeff Sanders and Jeff Baer, among many other Valley alums!

Tickets are available on strutsandfretstheatre.org or may be purchased through the link in S&F’s instagram bio,

05/21/2023

Hey VSC Friends:

It is with mixed emotions that I announce that I have taken a new job (effective July 1, 2023) as Chair of the Theatre Department at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

In consultation with the faculty and staff of the WOU theater department, the decision has been made to temporarily suspend VSC operations and take an indefinite hiatus in order to reassess the direction of the company. It is my hope that VSC will continue to pursue its mission to increase Oregon’s cultural visibility through the presentation of unique theatrical works while supporting professional artists and arts education in the region.

It has been a pleasure to bring the stories of Shakespeare and his contemporaries to life for a community that has given back so much in terms of support, inspiration and an unflinching belief in the power of theatre to transform lives and affect change. I feel lucky and blessed.

Special thanks to Scott Grim, Laurel Peterson, Laura Killip, Ted deChatelet, Ryan Wright,
Sharon Stokes Oberst, Julia Fruit, Lucy Paschall and all the students, community and company members who did so much with limited resources to make this massive annual undertaking happen each summer.

Nothing will ever compare to the magical feeling of sitting under the Willamette Valley stars at the end of each VSC show!

With deep gratitude,

David Janowiak
Artistic Director,
Valley Shakespeare Company

09/11/2022

https://wou.edu/valley-shakespeare-company/?fbclid=IwAR0ndc08xOYdHFe9wIow6sagRXVhw-vFejcuQQt4cmEa1ZYK4ayzagXEP-o

08/01/2022

Thanks to ALL who worked on, supported and attended VSC’s 2022 production of “Shakespeare in Love.” Our next season has already been announced and information can be found on our newly revised web site: https://wou.edu/valley-shakespeare-company/?fbclid=IwAR30N51NZyxR0griSj21imUi4u_0Vy7kiV2to8NQWoEUwpXPMRJbiPQEYT0

Special shout out to our Marketing Specialist Laura Killip for creating the new Home Page and Danielle Gauntz for her technical mastery.

See you soon…

07/30/2022

Only ONE more night to see "Shakespeare in Love."

Pollox Geissinger as Ned Allen, Andres Avila and Burbage and Hannah Fawcett as Viola De Lesseps

Directed by David Janowiak
Scenic Design by Nic Willson
Costume Design by Laurel Peterson

Valley Shakespeare Company at Western Oregon University will perform Shakespeare in Love for a live audience on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, July 21, 22, 23 & Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July 28, 29 & 30, on the Leinwand outdoor stage outside of Rice Auditorium on the campus of Western Oregon University.

The show will feature lawn seating. First-come-first-served seating. Just show up and bring low lawn chairs and blankets, food and drink. All performances will begin at 7:30PM and are free to the public (SUGGESTED DONATION $12 per person). The running time of the show is approximately 2 hours and thirty minutes with one intermission.

Both Friday night performances will be ASL interpreted.

07/28/2022

"And now for my contemporary piece..."

Re-opening tonight! Only THREE chances left to see "Shakespeare in Love."

Jesse Greenblatt as Frees
Photo Credit: Scott Grim
Directed by David Janowiak
Scenic Design by Nic Willson
Costume Design by Laurel Peterson

Valley Shakespeare Company at Western Oregon University will perform Shakespeare in Love for a live audience on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, July 21, 22, 23 & Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July 28, 29 & 30, on the Leinwand outdoor stage outside of Rice Auditorium on the campus of Western Oregon University.

The show will feature lawn seating. First-come-first-served seating. Just show up and bring low lawn chairs and blankets, food and drink. All performances will begin at 7:30PM and are free to the public (SUGGESTED DONATION $12 per person). The running time of the show is approximately 2 hours and thirty minutes with one intermission.

Both Friday night performances will be ASL interpreted.

VSC’s mission is to present the plays of William Shakespeare and his contemporaries in an outdoor setting on the campus of Western Oregon University.

07/27/2022

"I would stay alseep my whole life if I could dream mysellf into a company of players"

Only one weekened left!

Hannah Fawcett as Viola De Lesseps and Emily Balck as the Nurse

Photo Credit: Scott Grim
Directed by David Janowiak
Scenic Design by Nic Willson
Costume Design by Laurel Peterson

Valley Shakespeare Company at Western Oregon University will perform Shakespeare in Love for a live audience on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, July 21, 22, 23 & Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July 28, 29 & 30, on the Leinwand outdoor stage outside of Rice Auditorium on the campus of Western Oregon University.

The show will feature lawn seating. First-come-first-served seating. Just show up and bring low lawn chairs and blankets, food and drink. All performances will begin at 7:30PM and are free to the public (SUGGESTED DONATION $12 per person). The running time of the show is approximately 2 hours and thirty minutes with one intermission.

Both Friday night performances will be ASL interpreted. See

07/26/2022

What's all the buzz about? You will have to come to Valley Shakespeare Company this weekend to find out. Only ONE more chances to see this fun-filled show!

Photo Credit: Scott Grim
Directed by David Janowiak
Scenic Design by Nic Willson
Costume Design by Laurel Peterson

Valley Shakespeare Company at Western Oregon University will perform Shakespeare in Love for a live audience on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, July 21, 22, 23 & Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July 28, 29 & 30, on the Leinwand outdoor stage outside of Rice Auditorium on the campus of Western Oregon University.

The show will feature lawn seating. First-come-first-served seating. Just show up and bring low lawn chairs and blankets, food and drink. All performances will begin at 7:30PM and are free to the public (SUGGESTED DONATION $12 per person). The running time of the show is approximately 2 hours and thirty minutes with one intermission.

Both Friday night performances will be ASL interpreted.

07/23/2022

Don't get too excited! You stiill have four more chances to see "Shakespeare in Love" at VSC.

Brandon Williams as Sam/Juliet, Cole Richardson as Will Shakespeare and Jeff Baer as Hesnlowe

Photo Credit: Blair Cromwell
Directed by David Janowiak
Scenic Design by Nic Willson
Costume Design by Laurel Peterson

Valley Shakespeare Company at Western Oregon University will perform Shakespeare in Love for a live audience on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, July 21, 22, 23 & Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July 28, 29 & 30, on the Leinwand outdoor stage outside of Rice Auditorium on the campus of Western Oregon University.

The show will feature lawn seating. First-come-first-served seating. Just show up and bring low lawn chairs and blankets, food and drink. All performances will begin at 7:30PM and are free to the public (SUGGESTED DONATION $12 per person). The running time of the show is approximately 2 hours and thirty minutes with one intermission.

Both Friday night performances will be ASL interprete

07/22/2022

“A hit, a palpable hit!”
--From “Shakespeare in Love” by way of Hamlet

Thanks to all who came to the opening night of VSC's “Shakespeare in Love.” It was a robust, rousing and enthusiastic opening!! Only five more chances to see this extraordinary show...

From L to R: Ally Chancellor, Andi Moring, Lexy Bolsinger, Ed. Schoaps and Shea White-Toney

Directed by David Janowiak
Scenic Design by Nic Willson
Costume Design by Laurel Peterson

Valley Shakespeare Company at Western Oregon University will perform Shakespeare in Love for a live audience on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, July 21, 22, 23 & Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July 28, 29 & 30, on the Leinwand outdoor stage outside of Rice Auditorium on the campus of Western Oregon University.

The show will feature lawn seating. First-come-first-served seating. Just show up and bring low lawn chairs and blankets, food and drink. All performances will begin at 7:30PM and are free to the public (SUGGESTED DONATION $12 per person). The running time of the show is approximately 2 hours and thirty minutes with one intermission.

Both Friday night performances will be ASL interpreted.