Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival Flourishes

Oct 3, 2007

Media Contacts

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. (October 3, 2007) - During its 35 year tradition, the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival has grown from a small group's dream to one of Reno-Tahoe's premier cultural attractions.  Over the last three years, the Festival has rolled out exciting programs and venue enhancements including the introduction of the Festival's performances of Shakespeare's greatest dramatic works at its Sand Harbor venue, the addition of a third play to the standard two play rotation and the development of a complete dining and entertainment experience with Shakespeare's Kitchen.  Now the Festival is taking the next step in its evolution by bringing the artistic direction in-house, starting with the hire of a year-round artistic director.

"The artistic profile of the Reno-Tahoe area is changing," said Catherine Atack, executive director of the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival.  "Attendance at our events, as well as others in the region, is growing.  And because of the caliber of works that have been staged locally, audiences are demanding more from our performances.  In order to meet that demand, the Festival is evolving.  By hiring our own artistic director the Festival is taking a lead in the quality of its performances and the ability for us to become a more professional theater company and expand beyond our traditional summer season."

The Festival has hired well-known West Coast Shakespearian Director Jan Powell to lead the new production team in managing, casting and directing each of the Festival's three seasonal plays.  Powell joins the Festival from Portland, Ore., where she is pursuing a Ph.D. while also working as a freelance stage director and theatrical coach. With more than 25 years of experience, Powell was the founding artistic director for Portland's Tygres Heart Shakespeare Company and has directed 23 Shakespearian productions along with 27 other productions ranging from contemporary drama to children's theater.  She has also served as president of the Shakespeare Association of America. Her goals with the Festival include seeking out new talent, fostering local talent, developing new resources and building strong local collaborations.

"Having Jan join the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival team is a tremendous coo for our organization and we're thrilled with the level of expertise she's going to bring to our programming for 2008 and beyond," notes Atack.  "She will not only improve the quality and diversity of our productions, but she also the desire and enthusiasm to make the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival a nationally known and celebrated event. The 2008 season is set to be a phenomenal year with our first ever production of Richard III and the returning audience favorite A Midsummer Night's Dream."

According to Atack, "Our evolution to where we are in the position to hire our own artistic director has been due in part to the successful relationship we've had with the Foothill Theatre Company from Nevada City for the past 11 years.  Our collaboration has provided our audiences with exciting programming and access to wonderful talent.  We're thankful for our partnership with the Foothill Theater Company and their contributions to our Festival's success."

The Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival recently wrapped up their most successful summer season, featuring productions of The Taming of the Shrew, Romeo & Juliet and the off-the-wall comedy Greater Tuna.  Plans for the 36^th season of the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival are currently underway with even more improvements on the horizon. 

For more information about the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival at Sand Harbor, including membership, volunteer and employment opportunities, call 800-74-SHOWS (800-747-4697) or visit http://www.laketahoeshakespeare.com/. 

The Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established for the cultural benefit and enjoyment of all residents and visitors to Lake Tahoe and Reno. The annual Festival advocates the finest cultural events in the area while educating future generations on the importance of the arts, theater and music. 

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