Merely Players
Merely Players is a troupe of young performers and technicians who explore avenues of bringing Shakespeare-inspired art to the Chippewa Valley while also gaining valuable experience and professional mentorship. In our premiere season, the Players will be tasked with three primary objectives: developing and touring an adaptation of Shakespeare for young audiences, producing a “Late Night Shakes” series aimed at young adult audiences, and acting as ambassadors to our local community through pre-show “opening act” and around-town scene performances. The troupe will be facilitated by one or more “artist-mentors,” who will work alongside the young performers and guide them in their self-directed summer experience.
Troupe members will be paid nominal stipends for their work and performance appearances. This is a great opportunity for a summer theatre job for artists who are excited to create with a wide range of artistic liberties.
Interested theatrefolk can fill out this Google Form. Those interested in performing are asked to submit a self-tape in addition to the resume and statement required; if you are interested in tech/production, a self-tape is not required. Self-tapes should be between 60-90 seconds of a Shakespeare monologue with an introduction including your name and the piece you will be performing.
Summer School Programming
In partnership with Eau Claire Area School District (ECASD) and Altoona School District (ASD), Wisconsin Shakespeare Festival is excited to offer a slate of classes for students entering grades 3-12 in Fall of 2023. These programs will allow students to explore topics such as Shakespeare’s works, playwriting, technical theatre, poetry and wordplay and more! Classes are FREE of charge to students but they must be living within ECASD or ASD boundaries to participate in their respective Summer School Programming. Registration opens Saturday, March 11 and classes will fill quickly, so sign up soon!
ECASD Classes Offered Summer 2023:
Entering Grades 3-5:
June 12-16, 9:00 - 11:30 a.m - Intro to Shakespeare: Comedies & Love Stories
June 12-16, 1:00 - 3:30 p.m - Intro to Shakespeare: Tragedies & Histories
June 19-23, 9:00 - 11:30 a.m - Fractured Fairy Tales
June 26-30, 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. - Fractured Fairy Tales
Entering Grades 5-8:
June 12-16, 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. - Backstage Business
June 19-23, 9:00 - 11:30 a.m. - Intro to Shakespeare: Tragedies & Histories
June 19-23, 1:00 - 3:30 p.m - Intro to Shakespeare: Comedies & Love Stories
June 26-30, 9:00 - 11:30 a.m. - Wordplay: Poetry, Creative Writing, & Spoken Word
Entering Grades 9-12:
June 12-16, 9:00 - 11:30 a.m - Backstage Business
June 19-23, 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. - Playwriting
June 26-30, 9:00 - 11:30 a.m. - Shakespeare Scenework: Comedies & Love Stories
June 26-30, 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. - Shakespeare Scenework: Tragedies & Histories
ASD Classes Offered Summer 2023:
Friday, June 16, 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Fractured Fairy Tales (grades 3-5)
Friday, June 23, 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Intro to Shakespeare: Middle School Edition (grades 6-8)
Friday, June 30, 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Intro to Shakespeare: Elementary Edition (grades 3-5)
Friday, July 14, 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Backstage Business (grades 9-12)
Friday, July 21, 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Playwrights & Poets (grades 5-9)
Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild Shakespeare Workshop for Teens
The Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild (CVTG) has been serving the Chippewa and Eau Claire community for more than 40 years. The group encourages, develops, and promotes youth experiences within theatre and continues to challenge participants and audiences. The group grows appreciation for theatre and performing arts within the youth community.
The Wisconsin Shakespeare Festival is proud partner with the CVTG’s teen Shakespeare workshop to present their production of “The Tempest” on our Globe Theatre replica set in the Jamf Theatre. The workshop is for students interested in acting and/or in theatre tech (lights, sound, props, scenery & costumes) and open to entering freshmen through graduating seniors. Students will gain the skills to interpret, design and perform the Shakespeare play, The Tempest. Call 715-832-7529 for more information or if you need another audition time.
Auditions: Tuesday, July 11, 5:30 p.m. at the Grand Theatre (everyone will get a part!)
Rehearsals: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., July 24 - 28, July 31 - August 2 at the Grand Theatre and Pablo Center (Jamf Theatre)
Performances: August 3 and 4, Jamf Theatre
Registration: Families can register beginning Saturday, March 11 at 8 a.m.. CVTG will take registrations over the phone (715-832-7529) and by mail and email (cvtgact@aol.com). Registration materials are on their website (cvtg.org) and Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/cvtgact).
