Michael Nehring

Orange County's oldest professional Shakespeare company (originally founded as The Grove Shakespeare Festival by Thomas F. Bradac 40 years ago), moves from the Garden Grove Amphitheater onto the SAC campus, and continues its community-driven mission under Artistic Director John Walcutt in three theaters at SAC.

 A mystery of hidden pasts, lost loves and false identities in a world where living things cannot grow. Members of the Geer family star in a revival ofThe Chalk Garden by Enid Bagnold, a unique comedy that blends witty humor with insightful truths. Susan Angelo directs Bagnold's captivating psychological chamber piece for a June 30 opening at Theatricum Botanicum's outdoor amphitheater in Topanga.

This week has been a lot of schoolwork and rehearsals (the usual). So, I decided to interview one of my favorite humans who happens to also be in the theatre. LeeAnn Dowd was the first Chapman person I met; it was during the summer before my freshman year in NYC while she was interning. We instantly hit it off and she even came to one of our shows! During my freshman year I looked at LeeAnn, a senior at the time, as a role model; she started Cross the Line with another senior, Sierra Stenzel, the club that I'm leading now. Our outlook on theatre was very similar. We also went on to do ASTEP's Artist as Citizen Conference together, which was an incredible experience for us to share. Even though LeeAnn has graduated and moved to San Francisco, we still keep in touch and she graciously let me interview her for the blog. Hope you enjoy getting to know a recent post-grad perspective!

Happy New Year and welcome back Shakespeare lovers! 2016 marks the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's death (April 23, 1564 - April 23, 1616) and that means it's another big year ahead honoring one of the greatest writers of all time. Here's a look at what's coming so get out your calendars and make note.

As an attempt to increase its cultural relevance, involve the community, and expand its audience base, Shakespeare Orange County's ROMEO & JULIET is an admirable venture. Directors Mike Peebler and John Walcutt have integrated several hometown groups to appeal to its neighboring communities: the Vietnamese American Arts and Letters Association, the 40-year-old folklorico group Relampago del Cielo from Santa Ana, the Korean Social Club of Orange County, and students from the Orange County School of the Arts.

Orange County, Calif.—March 6, 2015—The world's most brilliant playwright—William Shakespeare—is reimagined in unexpected ways when Pacific Symphony partners with Chapman University to present “Shakespeare Reimagined,” a festival that explores how The Bard's plays have inspired not only other playwrights and directors, but also composers, choreographers and filmmakers. The festival, which runs through April 19, began last month with “The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark” at Chapman University, and continues on March 13 with a semi-staged version of Mendelssohn's “A Midsummer Night's Dream,” performed by The Chapman Orchestra, Women's Choir and Department of Theatre students. The festival culminates April 16-19 with four Pacific Symphony concerts featuring Prokofiev's “Romeo and Juliet.” The ballet is presented with actors and dancers who help reinstate the composer's original happy ending, which was banned by Joseph Stalin. For a complete listing of events, which include classical concerts, discussions, film screenings, dance, lectures, theater, master classes and a symposium on interpreting Shakespeare, please see the calendar below, or visit http://www.chapman.edu/events/shakespeare-reimagined/event-calendar.aspx.

Pacific Symphony Music Director Carl St.Clair has spent 25 years championing music in the community, and it shows in Pacific Symphony's commitment to access, willingness to experiment and openness to sharing the stage. The Symphony celebrates Maestro St.Clair's 25th anniversary at the helm by sending its musicians out into the community to perform chamber and full-orchestra concerts throughout Orange County, with the majority of events taking place between February and June. These free or low-cost concerts are collectively called, “Freshly Squeezed Music: Pacific Symphony in Your Orange County Neighborhood.” Concerts highlight Pacific Symphony's extensive and varied reach into the community, and include new partnerships with local community-based arts organizations, as well as highlight artists and students currently involved in Pacific Symphony's education and community engagement programs.

Portland Shakespeare Project (PSP) announces Lisa Harrow will direct the summer mainstage production of Twelfth Night, along with an expanded 2015 season. The company's fifth season will include three additional shows in 2015. On March 9, PSP will hold a fundraising performance featuring Oregon Shakespeare Festival's Robin Nordli's one-person show Virgins to Villains. In repertory with Twelfth Night, a yet-to-be announced staged reading will accompany the mainstage summer production. In October, PSP will present Jeffrey Hatcher's adaptation of Henry James's The Turn of the Screw, October 15 through November 1.Tickets for all four shows will go on sale January 5, 2015.

With William Shakespeare's farewell masterpiece, The Tempest, Portland Shakespeare Project will entertain summer audiences with some of the world's most glorious poetry in this production directed by Michael Mendelson. A staged reading of The Admirable Crichton by J.M. Barrie will serve as a delightful three-day theatrical complement, directed by Jon Kretzu. Both shows will be performed on the Alder Stage at Artists Repertory Theatre. Tickets are on sale through Artists Rep's Box Office. Performances of The Tempest are Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2pm. Performances of The Admirable Crichton are Tuesday, July 22 and 29 at 7:30pm and Sunday, August 3 at 7:30pm. Full schedule, tickets link and more information at www.portlandshakes.org.

The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle has announced the winners and special awards for excellence in Los Angeles and Orange County theatre for the year 2013. The 45th Annual Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards ceremony took place Monday, March 17 at the Colony Theatre in Burbank, and was hosted by Nicole Parker.

The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle has announced its 2013 nominations and special awards for excellence in Los Angeles, Orange County and Ventura County theatre. The 45th Annual Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards ceremony will take place on Monday, March 17, 2014 at The Colony Theatre, located at 555 N. Third Street in Burbank.

With one of Shakespeare's most beloved, romantic comedies, Portland Shakespeare Project will delight summer audiences with a rich and comedic production of THE TAMING OF THE SHREW directed by Michael Mendelson. A fascinating theatrical complement of John Fletcher's THE TAMER TAMED (staged reading) will begin in rotating repertory on July 24. Both shows will be performed on the Alder Stage at Artists Repertory Theatre.

With one of Shakespeare's most beloved, romantic comedies, Portland Shakespeare Project will delight summer audiences with a rich and comedic production of THE TAMING OF THE SHREW directed by Michael Mendelson. A fascinating theatrical complement of John Fletcher's THE TAMER TAMED (staged reading) will begin in rotating repertory on July 24. Both shows will be performed on the Alder Stage at Artists Repertory Theatre.

Award-winning theatre company, Son of Semele Ensemble (SOSE), announces the final extension of the west coast premiere of Our Class, by Polish playwright Tadeusz S'obodzianek, in an English version by Ryan Craig. Directed by Matthew McCray, the critically- acclaimed production of Our Class will continue its run at the Atwater Village Theatre.

Award-winning theatre company, Son of Semele Ensemble (SOSE), has extended the west coast premiere of Our Class, by Polish playwright Tadeusz S?obodzianek, in an English version by Ryan Craig. Directed by Matthew McCray, the critically-acclaimed production of Our Class will continue its run at the Atwater Village Theatre, with performances resuming May 24.

Award-winning theatre company, Son of Semele Ensemble (SOSE), will present the west coast premiere of Our Class, by Polish playwright Tadeusz S?obodzianek, in an English version by Ryan Craig. Directed by Matthew McCray, Our Class opens April 6th at the Atwater Village Theatre.

Award-winning theatre company, Son of Semele Ensemble (SOSE), will present the west coast premiere of Our Class, by Polish playwright Tadeusz S?obodzianek, in an English version by Ryan Craig. Directed by Matthew McCray, Our Class opens April 6th at the Atwater Village Theatre.

Portland Shakespeare Project announces that its third season will include William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew and John Fletcher's The Tamer Tamed (staged reading) running in rotating repertory, July 10 though August 4, 2013. Both shows will be performed on the Alder Stage at Artists Repertory Theatre. Tickets are on sale now at the Artists Rep Box Office. Plays run in rep Wednesday through Friday at 7:30pm, Saturday at 2pm and 7:30pm, Sunday at 2pm. Full schedule and more information at www.portlandshakes.org.

Those who missed the wildly successful 3-week run of Shakespeare Orange County's production of Much Ado About Nothing this past August will get one more chance when Phantom Projects brings back the original creative team to re-mount their production of William Shakespeare's MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. The one-day-only performance features a 10AM and 7pm performance tonight, November 8th at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.