2023

  • Catch us on Studio40 Live

    We have been invited to appear for a short segment on Studio40 Live on Thursday, July 20 at noon. Check us out, get your tickets as you’ll surely be inspired by our witches to not miss this show.

    Tickets are going fast, so if you wish to join us as we close this show this weekend, please consider buying in advance. We cannot promise that we will have walk-in capacity at show time.

  • Director’s Notes – Christine

    Macbeth opens July 7 and runs through July 23. Tickets available.

    I love “Macbeth.” Let me just start with that. To me it is the most perfect of Shakespeare’s tragedies (and that is with great apologies to “Hamlet” and “King Lear,” both if which I dearly love). It packs so much into its two hours of playing time, revealing so much about the human psyche. There are those who disagree with me, who think that the structure is weak- that the second half of the play breaks or undermines the momentum of the narrative right about the time most tragedies are nearing the climax of the action. Heck, Shakespeare even inserts three long scenes between characters who are not Macbeth, one that is ten minutes long and that includes no death or mayhem.

    But, to me, that is part of the power of the play. In the first half we see a “good” person seduced by the idea of power and status, and we watch as he justifies his own moral decay along with some incredibly despicable actions to achieve power. In the second half, we see how actions affect others, how one person’s actions and desires can influence and change the lives of others for better, or, in this case, much worse. And then we watch as people of all walks decide to act for the good, even in the face of the same challenges that beset the tyrant. Oh, and there are sword fights.

    This is also the first time I’ve co-directed with someone. Lori-Ann and I have worked together for a long time, as actor/director, director/stage manager/actor/actor, and we work well together. I think that we both complement each other and fill in each other’s gaps. It’s been a wonderful collaboration. It is a fairly well-known theatrical fact that there are usually more women than men who audition for plays – at least two to one. And that Shakespeare, because he wrote in a time that women were not allowed on stage, wrote plays with no more than three women (maybe four, once in a while). We both also wanted to find a way to include as many of the people who auditioned for us (In fact, we were able to cast pretty much everyone who auditioned for us and that has been exciting). So, we looked at a time that could incorporate more women as warriors, and that would also be a time that included the possibilities of witches existing. And we settled on Scotland’s semi-mythical past at the moment they kicked the Vikings out of their country. That way we were able to work with many more women and put together the strongest cast possible. We trust you’ll see why.

    We have twenty-nine people in the cast and a large crew, a veritable town of people to tell the story of Macbeth, who probably lived in Scotland in the 11th century, and also probably should have become king because he was the strongest and most successful warrior. And I, we, sincerely hope that you enjoy your journey with us into the heart of darkness that is the “Tragedy of Macbeth.”

  • Meet the Cast of Macbeth – Part 10

    Macbeth opens July 7 and runs through July 23. Tickets available.

    Holly Nicola (Witch Team 6/King)

    Becoming involved in 2014, after retirement, in theater with Sacramento City College, Holly has since been cast in 12 of its major productions. twice before in its Shakespeare Festival, in The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo. Her first experience in Cannery Row got her hooked! Holly enjoys minor roles and being part of the ensemble. Other productions in which she has been cast include The Great Gatsby, The Music Man, Carrie – the Musical, Miracle on 34th Street and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime and two British pantos, Alice in Wonderland and Snow White. Her involvement has increased her appreciation of theater, due to becoming more aware of all the hard work that goes on not only on the stage, but also behind the scenes.

    Ollie Stokes (Porter/Young Siward)

    Ollie Stokes is a new student at Sac City College, studying theatre. They have previously been in shows such as Carrie the Musical and Much Ado About Nothing at Butte College.

  • Meet the Cast of Macbeth – Part 9

    Macbeth opens July 7 and runs through July 23. Tickets available.
    Joy Gee (Hecate)

    Joy returns to the Sacramento Shakespeare Festival from Michigan, where she spent several years building a children’s community theater program. Performing on stage is a rare experience for Joy, who is usually listed in programs as a stage manager or technician. Joy is also a novelist, journalist, and playwright whose stage and screenplays have won awards locally and internationally.

    Brandon Lancaster (Macbeth)

    Brandon is elated to appear in Sacramento Shakespeare’s production of Macbeth. Brandon is a proud Alumnus of the Acting Apprenticeship Program at Capital Stage, where he appeared in the company’s production of Good People by David Lindsay-Abaire, and various other roles. Previous credits also include The MotherF**cker With The Hat(Big Idea Theatre), Brilliant Traces (Ovation Stage), The Grapes of Wrath, and Julius Caesar(Sacramento Theatre Company). 

    Sarah Palmero (Duncan/Messenger)

    Sarah is grateful to be on stage at the Sacramento Shakespeare Festival again. Most recently seen as Mr. Shepherd/Mrs. Croft in BEYOND PERSUASION,  she also enjoyed performances as Horatio in SSF’S production of HAMLET and Gertrude in Sac State’s production of the same.

  • Meet the Cast of Macbeth – Part 8

    Macbeth opens July 7 and runs through July 23. Tickets available.
    Cuautli Quezada-Gardea (Lennox)

    This is Cuautli’s first show with SSF and is excited about the opportunity. Cuautli mostly has been performing with Falcons Eye Theater most notably in 𝘔𝘪𝘥𝘴𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳 𝘕𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵’𝘴 𝘋𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮 where they played Puck and recently 𝘈𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘨𝘰𝘯𝘦 where they were part of the chorus. Cuautli plans to continue studying acting at ARC to work towards becoming a professional actor in the future.

    Dennis Redpath (Siward/Duncan’s Servant)

    Dennis started in theatre taking courses at the University of Hawaii and later the University of Montana. After a long break he returned to performing in his first show with City Theatre, the 2013 production of After Juliet. Since then he has been active with both City Theater and the Sacramento Shakespeare festival productions of Much Ado About Nothing, The Uninvited, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Pride and Prejudice, The Great Gatsby, Henry V, and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time.

    Lauren Graffigna (Witch Team 6/Lady Macduff)

    Lauren is making her Sacramento Shakespeare Festival debut. She is elated to be back at Sacramento City College where she recently performed as Segismundo in Life is a Dream and Rose Red in Snow White: A British Panto. You may have also seen her at the B Street Theatre in the 24 Hour Play Festival’s Norwegian Death Cleaning. Lauren is grateful to be working with Christine and Luther again and with Lori-Ann for the first time- I appreciate your kindness, vision, and leadership. Lauren would also like to thank the Devised Artist Julianna, the Fight Choreographer Dave, the Costume Designer Nicole and her team, and a resounding thank you to our stage managers Hannah and Erika! Above all, Lauren is thankful to her support system of family, friends, and coworkers who make it possible for her to continue to hone her acting skills and pursue her passion for theater arts. 

  • Meet the Cast of Macbeth – Part 7

    Macbeth opens July 7 and runs through July 23. Tickets available.
    McKenna Sennet (Witch 2, Macduff U/S)

    McKenna is thrilled to be a part of yet another Shakespeare production. She graduated from Sacramento State last spring with a BA in Theatre and has long dreamed of finding a career in acting and teaching. After directing the department’s senior production of Spring Awakening (1906), McKenna plans on pursuing directing as well. Favorite performances include Hamlet (Hamlet, Sacramento State), Bev/Kathy (Clybourne Park, Solano College Theatre) Lady Macbeth (Macbeth, Solano College Theatre), and Christopher Boone (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, Solano College Theatre). While theatre is her passion, McKenna has also acted in several short filmsShe hopes you enjoy the witchy business, and does not apologize for spooking you.

    Lauren Ormond (Caithness/Apparition/Cawdor Fighter)

    Lauren Ormond is so excited to be in her second Sacramento Shakespeare Festival production! She has previously been in several City Theatre Productions including Home for the Holidays, Decision Height (Carol Henderson), Romeo and Juliet (Sampson), Life Is A Dream (El Bobo), and Beyond Persuasion (Louisa Musgrove/Mrs. Clay). She would like to thank her family and friends for their unending love and support. 
    Phoebe Olson (Macbeth Servant/Cawdor Fighter/King)

    Phoebe Olson is a second-year student at SCC and in her first production with Sacramento Shakespeare Festival/SCC. Phoebe was previously in Romeo and Juliet and The Crucible at Sacramento Theatre Company, and a Young Professionals Conservatory alum. 
  • Meet the Cast of Macbeth – Part 6

    Macbeth opens July 7 and runs through July 23. Tickets available.
    Petra Tafoya (Angus/Apparition)

    Petra has been acting in plays for a year now. You have seen her in ROMEO AND JULIET, as Head Guard in LIFE IS A DREAM, as Prince Charming in SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DUDES, and as Captain Harville and Charles Hayter in BEYOND PERSUASION. She also house managed for THE ALCHEMIST. 

    Jim Laferriere (Doctor/Witch Team 6/Porter)

    Jim is jumping back into acting after a decade’s hiatus. This is his 2nd show in 2023, after performing in Clue with Village Stage Productions in Elk Grove. He previously studied theater in high school and college, with roles in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and West Side Story. His impossible dream is to write, direct, and/or perform in a movie that is one day labeled “classic” by film snobs like himself.

    Shelby Saumier (Witch 3)

    Shelby Elizabeth Saumier is overjoyed to be returning to the Sacramento Shakespeare Festival. Previous acting credits include: Anne Elliot in BEYOND PERSUASION (City Theatre), title role in HENRY V (SSF), Florinda in THE ROVER (Big Idea Theatre), Narrator/Engineer/Ensemble in STORIES TO BE TOLD (CSUS), Elinor Dashwood in SENSE AND SENSIBILITY (City Theatre), Phantom in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW (Green Valley Theatre), Jane Bennet in PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (City Theatre), Yvonne Chandel in A FLEA IN HER EAR (ARC), Claudio in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (Wildflower Ensemble), and Sandrine/Glory/Hope in ALMOST, MAINE (CSUS). Shelby proudly attended Sacramento State University, where she received her BA in theatre, her teaching credential, and her MA in teaching. Shelby would not be where she is today without the love and support of her friends, family, and life partner Reilly. 

  • Meet the Cast of Macbeth – Part 4

    Macbeth opens July 7 and runs through July 23. Tickets available.
    Riley J Burke (Bloody Sargeant, Seyton/Murderer 1)

    This is Riley’s debut with the Sacramento Shakespeare Festival and Sacramento City College! Riley was most recently seen as Ismene in the Falcon’s Eye Theatre production of Antigone at Folsom Lake College. RJ has also participated in other productions in the Bay Area such as, Almost Maine (Sandrine), Angel Street (Nancy), Picasso at the Lapin Agile (Suzanne) and As You Like It (Audrey) as well as multiple productions of Eve Ensler’s, The Vagina Monologues. RJ plans to study musical theatre well as continue exploring other theatre avenues such as stage management and directing. Riley would like to thank her friends and family and extend a special thanks to Christine Mani, Sam Frajio and Kevin Richmond for all their love and support! 
    Jake Brooks (Menteith/Second Murderer)

    Macbeth marks Jake’s return to the Sacramento stage after almost a decade away. Previous credits include Robin Hood and Cabaret at CSUS, Toke at the Ooley Theater, Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You at Ovation Stage, and As You Like It with the Sacramento Shakespeare Festival. He also wrote and directed the original one act Secret Origin while at CSUS. He has performed improv for many years with ComedySportz, in both Sacramento and Los Angeles, and currently at Empire Arts Collective. He works in the tasting room of The Lucas Winery in Lodi and lives in Elk Grove with his wife, Dechelle (whom he met doing theater).
    Sinead Kennedy (Hecate Witch/Duncan Servant)

    After a long hiatus from the Sacramento Shakespeare Festival, Sinead is thrilled to be back. Her last show in the Sacramento Shakespeare Festival was Mid Summer’s Night Dream (Oberon Fairy). The previous shows she was in are Sacramento City College, The Alchemist (Gossip), Beyond Persuasion (Servant 1/Servant 2/ Butler), and Snow White: A British Panto (Baloney). For her day job she works for the Office Assistant over at California Department of Veterans Affairs, and she teaches the youth the art of theatre with On Stage Theatre Arts over at Leonardo da Vinci K-8. She would like to thank her family and friends for their support and would like to give a shout-out to the directors, stage managers, fellow cast members, and crew for being awesome. enjoy the show.

  • Meet the Cast of Macbeth – Part 3

    Macbeth opens July 7 and runs through July 23. Tickets available.
    Nicholas Friederich (Witch Team 6/Drummer)

    Nicholas will be performing this year as one of the witches in Shakespeare’s Macbeth and has previously performed as Gregory in Romeo and Juliet and Oliver in Another As You Like It Reunion during last year’s Sacramento Shakespeare Festival. He is also an avid performer of choral music and has recently performed in Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana with the Sacramento Choral Society. Nicholas credits his older sister as his inspiration for pursuing community theater and choir, as she has performed in several plays/musicals across the greater Sacramento area and always encourages him to audition. 

    Matthew Malone (Witch Team 6/Drummer/King/Fighter)

    Matthew has acted with the Sacramento Shakespeare Festival since 2012. He appeared in the festival last summer as Hamlet in ANOTHER AS YOU LIKE IT REUNION. He has also played Sam in SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE, Dr. Pinch in THE COMEDY OF ERRORS, and Flute in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM. He is excited to help bring the magic to MACBETH as one of the witches.

    Jackie Martin (Lady Macbeth)

    Jackie was previously seen at the Sacramento Shakespeare Festival as Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing. She is a company member with Big Idea Theatre and has been seen with the company as Olivia in Twelfth Night, Bianca in Othello, Mrs. Marchmont in An Ideal Husband, Orangutan in Water by the Spoonful, and Valeria in Coriolanus.

  • What is a director?

    Macbeth opens July 7 and runs through July 23. Tickets available.

    by Christine Nicholson

    I love directing. I love being at the helm of the huge collaboration that comes together to create a theatrical production. I love working with others to bring to life the ever-continuing stories of humans – comedies, tragedies, farces, political thrillers, musicals, pantos – all the genres of storytelling that have been developed over the millennia.  I love the challenge of bringing into life words that began as thoughts and images in the mind or minds of a person or persons, of working with others (in the case of this year’s Macbeth, over 40 others) to create order out of chaos, and to share that story with others. And what I love about theatre, and what is unique to it, is that it is a shared art form: those who are making the art do not exist without those who witness it in a shared moment in time. This is the essence of storytelling – whether that be ghost stories around a fire, small intimate theatres, big Broadway venues, or 5,000 people watching a huge musical extravaganza at an old Roman Arena.

    But I especially love telling Shakespeare’s stories. I am always amazed how words written over four hundred years ago can still capture, beautifully capture, what I think of as the stories of humanity. Yes, he wrote about people from another time, who lived, and thought differently in many ways than we do today. And yes, he was a product of his time, with the blinders that come with it, as they do with all moments in time. But we still wrestle with how to find love and how to keep it strong, how to find and keep a healthy society, and how to harness our desires for power and status. And that is why plays like “Romeo and Juliet,” A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “Twelfth Night,” Hamlet,” and yes, “Macbeth,” continue to be produced, reimagined, and relevant. And it is absolutely fascinating to me how his plays re-emerge and resonate at different times in history. “Macbeth’s” dive into the heart of the desire for power, and the pull that power has on the human psyche seems to be more profound than ever.

    This year, as the theatre continues to recover from near annihilation during the covid pandemic (how can something exist when it is, by definition, a place where humanity gathers and the very act of gathering together was life-threatening), the Shakespeare Festival like many others, facing a budget shortfall, decided to produce only one production, rather than our usual two. We wanted to keep both of our summer directors employed, so we thought it was an excellent opportunity to try co-directing (I had recently performed in a production of Twelfth Night at Big idea Theatre where we had co-directors, Kevin Adamski and Leah Daugherty, whose collaboration showed how two minds can achieve so much more than one). We also decided that as we rebuild our audience, maybe we could create an opportunity to produce in our more intimate performance space, and what better vehicle than “Macbeth.”

    Working in the intimacy of a thrust theatre is always a wonderful challenge. When we produced both outside in the park and in the 600-seat proscenium theatre, we had to stage our shows more like a moving painting – Actors need to face the audience for most of the staging, more two-dimensionally.  But in a thrust theatre, with the audience on three sides of the stage, it is more like a moving sculpture, three-dimensional. And we need to be able to choreograph the movement so that audiences will see most of the action all the time. If we stage it conventionally, like a painting, like a proscenium production, only those in front of the actors will see the action. It’s much more of a dance. And that’s its appeal to a director. We need to keep the story activated, and with co-directors, we can view the staging from two sides simultaneously and see where we can improve the storytelling with staging.

    So, both Lori Ann and I jumped at the opportunity to work together. We’ve worked together for almost twenty years in many capacities, but this was our first opportunity to collaborate as directors. We each bring complementary skills to the table and celebrate each other’s skills. We wanted to find a time where this story could exist, where witches or connections to the supernatural or natural forces were honored, where women could exist as warriors, and where ambition and desire for power could take hold and corrupt. We also wanted to appeal to a large population of actors and audiences. We had more actors audition than we’ve seen in five years. And we have a cast of thirty and a crew of around ten. And hopefully, this production will appeal to a large audience.

    We’ve been working for five weeks now. Lori Ann has gathered all of the sound we are using, all of the weapons, worked with our Movement Coordinator with our witches (all 12 of them), our stage managers have been recording everything, staging, prop lists, costume changes, back-stage traffic patterns, while I have worked with our fight choreographer and with staging on a stage with audience on three sides. We put all that together last week, and this week we are adding lights and costumes. Three more rehearsals. Then we add the last piece of the collaboration, the audience. We can’t wait.