I Take Your Hand In Mine - By Carol Rocamora, a play based on the love letters of Anton Chekhov and Olga Knipper, Directed by Benedicta Bertau Photo by Dan Region  RegionsPhotos.com

Founded in Australia in 1997 by two Americans and two Australians, and incorporated later that year as a not-for-profit organization in the United States, the company thrived for several years as a professional touring ensemble, performing and giving workshops over three continents, before landing in Columbia County and deciding to make a home here.

Walking the dog Theater (WTD) established itself by creating avant-garde theater performances which incorporated movement and live, original music, and through successful children’s productions employing the same style. The touring ensemble gave performances and workshops in venues as varied as festival theaters, universities, schools, and prisons. In 1999, under John McManus’ leadership, the company inaugurated Shakespeare Alive!, an intensive summer theater workshop experience for youth, which evolved into its own organization, eventually offering a yearlong college-accredited actor’s training as well as its annual summer productions.

In 2004 WTD developed its Shakespeare in Schools program. Since its inception this program has created over 30 productions and a Midwest Shakespeare Festival with young people. In addition to its ongoing workshops for youth and adults, its in-school, after school, and summer intensive programs, the professional company produces original, new, modern, and classical plays, with a special passion for Shakespeare.

WTD creates theater events that seek to inspire as well as entertain. In 2006 the company presented 11 youth and 5 professional productions, which included Lanford Wilson’s BURN THIS, the U.S. premiere of THE STORM (a new comedy adapted from Plautus), and BLUE ARCHES, an original one-woman play by Melania Levitsky, a long-time member of Walking the dog Theater. 

In 2007 professional productions included THE GOSPEL OF JOHN, CYRANO, the collaborative production of HAMLET (with Shakespeare Alive! and The Actors’ Ensemble), DAEMONS, THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, and A CHRISTMAS CAROL.  The company also presented 9 productions with youth.
In 2008 professional productions included I MIGHT BE EDGAR ALLAN POE (with The Actors’ Ensemble), RED CARNATIONS (in collaboration with Diamond Opera Theater), THE OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT, and UNDER MILK WOOD (in collaboration with PS21).  A CHRISTMAS CAROL and THE GOSPEL OF JOHN, now annual traditions for the company, also returned.

As the company deepens its roots in Columbia County, it continues to welcome collaborations with local artists and the opportunity to discover new possibilities and directions for meaningful theater. WTD’s professional productions and educational programs focus on freeing the creativity of the artist, developing ensemble theater, and invoking the spirit of a play so that audiences can become enlivened by the theater event.

The company has given over 700 performances and over 200 workshops throughout three continents. Walking the dog Theater’s work has reached over 70,000 people thus far.

 Walking the dog Theater, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that exists for the purposes of researching the art of performance and enlivening communities through the arts.

 Even at over 70 (dog years) of age, this old dog wants to learn new tricks.
WTD Mission Statement: Walking the dog Theater exists for the purpose of creating theater events that inspire, entertain, and build community. Vital aspects of this purpose include: engaging children, youth, and adults in their own creative potential, stimulating artistic life in underserved areas, supporting the work and growth of professional artists, and staging William Shakespeare's plays.

THE NUMBERS

 2007

Number of students participating in workshop productions: 145

Number of artists involved: 30

Number of people attending performances: over 6000

Number of performances: over 100

Number of productions: 6 professional, 9 student

Average number of people attending each performance: 65

2006

Number of students participating in workshop productions: 166

Number of people attending performances: over 5,400

Number of artists involved: 24

Number of performances: 70

Number of productions: 5 professional, 11 student

Average number of people attending each performance: 52

Our EDUCATION AND OUTREACH work has six components:

• The STATELINE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL, directing productions in public high schools in Wisconsin and Illinois
• Directing 4-6 productions a yea