Although it was only formally established in the fall of 2008, Willamette Shakespeare has been years in the making. The company is the vision of husband and wife team Daniel and Sydney Somerfield who saw an opportunity to create a niche in the Willamette Valley art community. Daniel and Sydney have a background in theatre (in fact, they met when cast opposite each other in a Seattle production) but have been pulled into other professional pursuits. They have both always remained close to the theatre community, participating as performers, technical staff, and in any other possible capacity.
Daniel will serve as the company's Artistic Director. He believes that a strong relationship between Willamette Shakespeare and the local wineries and vineyards will benefit both. "A vineyard provides a wonderful location to experience performing arts," Daniel said, "and the performance of classical theatre provides more incentive to people to come out to experience Oregon wine country."
While living in Seattle, Daniel performed with the mobile outdoor Shakespeare company GreenStage which is, in many ways, the model for Willamette Shakespeare. GreenStage's Producing Artistic Director, Ken Holmes, is glad to see his influence spread to across state borders."Daniel has a great vision, and the Valley's residents and visitors are in for a treat next summer when they see what he and his company have put together."
Last year, Daniel asked his friend and fellow Oberlin College alumnus David Baer if he would be interested in helping establish the company. "I jumped at the opportunity," said Baer. "The Willamette Valley community, which is rich in so many creative areas, deserves to have this kind of quality, family-friendly performance in its back yard. I'm excited to be a part of something I hope will become an annual tradition." Currently the Marketing Director for a Seattle-based wine importer and distributor, David spent many years working as an arts administrator including stints on and off Broadway and with regional companies and arts presenters in and around New York City. He will serve as the company's first board president.
Board member and vineyard owner Jim Halliday has a BA in Acting and Directing from San Jose State University. He taught media production and design at DeAnza College in Cupertino, CA where he was involved in video, film and multimedia production. He eventually founded HumanWare, a company that creates products for people who are visually impaired or learning disabled, where he was CEO for 18 years. Since retiring and moving to Oregon with his wife, Karen, to pursue their passion for Pinot Noir, Jim now has time to re-kindle his enthusiasm for the theatre. "The aptly named Willamette Shakespeare is our chance as a community to experience the world's greatest playwright in the grandest of settings. I can't wait!"
Donna Gentry is the most recent addition to the Board. Her impressive resume includes acting, stand-up comedy, national commercial and TV work and production of several one-woman shows in New Orleans and New York. During her 24 years in NYC she worked as director/manager with several international law firms and now works as Senior Consultant with Loeb Consulting Group, a company that delivers training to personnel in law firms and corporations. "Daniel's passion combined with professionalism and the talent of a highly skilled board will create an amazing theater experience for a deserving community. I am so thrilled I am part of this!"
The company will perform its first show, As You Like It, in multiple outdoor spaces around the Willamette Valley in the summer of 2009. Times and dates, as well as audition information will be announced on the company's site at http://www.willametteshakespeare.org.
Although Willamette Shakespeare is not a professional company, actors and technical staff will be paid a stipend for their participation in the company. People interested in finding out more, should contact Daniel Somerfield (daniel@willametteshakespeare.org).
The Willamette Shakespeare mailing list will be keep you informed with the latest updates on the performance schedule, venues and special events. To join, email your full name to list@willametteshakespeare.org.