Julius Caesar - photo by James Waters
The cast of Julius Caesar in Julius Caesar. Photo by James Waters.

Seattle Shakespeare Company and Wooden O

Wooden O History

 

Now celebrating its 15th Anniversary, Wooden O has built a reputation for producing some of the best free outdoor Shakespeare in the Seattle area as well as for attracting some of the region’s leading theatrical talent.

 

Founded in 1994 by Artistic Director George Mount, Wooden O started its annual Summer Shakespeare performances at Mercer Island's Luther Burbank Amphitheater and quickly grew in order to tour its productions throughout the King County Parks. Wooden O’s engaging, lively productions of Shakespeare's great plays entertain and delight thousands of enthusiastic audience members each summer in communities from Lynnwood to Auburn.

 

Wooden O productions appeal to a wide range of people because its innovative approach that also remains true to the classic, poetic nature of the text. Audiences at the summer shows can picnic with their friends and family while enjoying some of the greatest drama history offers in a way that is exciting, immediate, and relevant.

 

For the 1999 season, Wooden O added a second production to its summer schedule. One show, All’s Well That Ends Well, performed at the main stage on Mercer Island, while the second show, Cymbeline, began Wooden O’s successful regional touring program. That year, Cymbeline was recognized with a Seattle Times Footlight Award for outstanding local Shakespeare.

 

In 2001 Wooden O no longer made the distinction between main stage and touring productions. The plays that year, The Tempest and As You Like It, both toured to area parks and had extended runs on Mercer Island. Wooden O also participated in the inaugural Seattle Outdoor Theatre Festival. This two day event at Volunteer Park brought together for the first time in one place the combined talents of the Seattle area's finest outdoor theatres: GreenStage, Theater Schmeater, and Wooden O Theatre. Three Plays, Two Days, One Place!

 

Wooden O's 2002 season broke previous attendance records and saw the company’s return to the Seattle Outdoor Theatre Festival showcasing the theatre’s production of The Two Gentlemen of Verona. That show and its production of The Winter's Tale both received glowing audience and press reviews. The Seattle Times recognized The Winter's Tale as runner-up for best local Shakespeare in their "Footlight Awards."

 

2003 marked a significant milestone for Wooden O: ten summers of free Shakespeare in the parks. The company revisited its first production, Much Ado About Nothing, and tackled its namesake play, Henry V. The season was a huge success with more than 7,000 people enjoying Wooden O’s unique approach to outdoor performance.

 

In the ensuing years, Wooden O’s tradition of presenting outstanding Shakespeare continued to expand with additional park venues along with critically successful audience favorites. In the summer of 2007 Wooden O premiered an original musical version of The Merry Wives of Windsor and The Merchant of Venice.

 

In spring of 2008 Wooden O merged with Seattle Shakespeare Company. The premier outdoor Shakespeare theatre in the region and the premier indoor Shakespeare theatre in the region combined to become the premiere Shakespeare theatre in the state of Washington.

 

Wooden O Theatre has flourished through the hard work of dedicated individual artists, administrators and board members. As we move forward in our exciting merger with Seattle Shakespeare Company, I wish to recognize the efforts of some outstanding people who brought the company this far.

 

First and foremost the actors, designers and managers who have participated in Wooden O productions for the last 14 seasons. Theatre is a collective art of individuals. Wooden O IS the people who've worked for and with us through the years.

 

In particular: Vanessa Miller, Scott Douglas, Caitlin Finne, Amy Allsopp, Rebecca Olson, Greggarrr Anderson, Carisa Bush, Lee Ann Hittenberger, Craig Wollam, Nir Sadovnik, Dan Tierney, Susanna Wilson, Marleigh Driscoll, Yvette Waters, Carl Janz, Lyssa Browne, Amy Thone, Brian Culver and Stephen Grenley. Perhaps more equal among equals.

 

 

Thank you,

George Mount

Founding and Current Artistic Director