Woodward Shakespeare Festival
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The Woodward Shakespeare Festival is a theater company that performs three plays each summer in Fresno, CA, United States. The festival performs both Shakespearean and Non-Shakespearean productions from June to September.[1]
Overview
The Woodward Shakespeare Festival is a non-profit organization that has provided free local entertainment for the past seven years in Fresno, CA. The Woodward Shakespeare Festival perform their plays on an outdoor stage at Woodward Park (Fresno). The festival is funded through donations and local sponsorship & patronage.[2]
From 2010, the theater company has produced two Shakespeare plays each summer, until 2011 when the company expanded its season with a third play written by an author besides William Shakespeare. On average, the festival attracts more than 10,000 patrons each year.
In addition to staged performances during the summer. The Woodward Shakespeare Festival has produced other forms of Shakespearean entertainment such as Staged Readings of various plays at the Woodward Park Library. In 2012, The Woodward Shakespeare Festival in the Fresno Rogue Festival, performing a comedy routine based on the bard and his work.[3]
History
In 2005, The Woodward Shakespeare festival began its first season. The theater company was originally conceived by S. Eric Day and Brandon Weis. In 2004, Christian Sweeney joined the company and with Day helmed the productions of the first two seasons. In 2007, the company became an official non-profit organization in the public trust.
Previous Productions
- 2005: Much Ado About Nothing & Romeo and Juliet
- 2006: A Midsummer Night's Dream & Macbeth
- 2007: Othello & The Taming of the Shrew
- 2008: Twelfth Night & Hamlet
- 2009: As You Like It & Richard III
- 2010: The Merchant of Venice & King Lear
- 2011: The Comedy of Errors, All My Sons, & Romeo and Juliet
2012 Season
The upcoming season of the Woodward Shakespeare Festival will feature productions of The Merry Wives of Windsor, directed by Gabriela Lawson, A Streetcar Named Desire, directed by Maggie McClellan, and Henry V directed by Adam Meredith. [4]
Critical Response
Donald Munro, a local reviewer for the Fresno Bee, has often praised the productions put on by the Woodward Shakespeare Festival. In 2007, He declared their production of The Taming of the Shrew to be "Audacious and bold" and added, "it doesn't outlive its welcome. It's daring, fun and perfect for an outdoor summer breeze." [5] In 2011, Munro recently allotted praise for the company's production of All My Sons which was the company's first foray into Non-Shakespearean territory. After viewing a performance, Munro wrote in his review "There's no doubt "All My Sons" still has the power to move audiences. As I left my seat at the conclusion, I walked by three semi-stunned young men still grappling with the intensity of what they had just seen."[6]
References
- ^ "WSF - Woodward Shakespeare Festival". Woodwardshakespeare.org. Retrieved 2012-04-24.
- ^ "Woodward Shakespeare Festival's Page". My.FresnoArts.net. Retrieved 2012-04-24.
- ^ "Rogue Festival 2012 - Almost Shakespeare: WSF Goes Rogue!". Roguefestival.net. Retrieved 2012-04-24.
- ^ http://www.woodwardshakespeare.org/#/season-8/4558461798
- ^ Taylor, Anthony. "Theater review: 'The Taming of the Shrew'". fresnobeehive.com. Retrieved 2012-04-24.
- ^ Ryan, Amelia. "Theater Review: 'All My Sons'". fresnobeehive.com. Retrieved 2012-04-24.