Scranton Shakespeare Festival

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We Will Rock You, 2022

scranton_shakes

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Scranton Shakes has an exciting chapter to announce. Beginning today, we welcome our new Artistic Director, Simone Daniel, a long-time SSF collaborator, educator, and director.

Simone Daniel is a Scranton based writer and director whose theater works have premiered in several cities across the U.S. as well as the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. An enthusiastic believer in Ensemble based work, Simone has supported and nurtured the life of and developed a large body of work for several companies. She is a frequent collaborator of the Scranton Fringe Festival where she serves as youth theater director in their partnership with the Youth Arts Coalition to provide afterschool arts education free to students. She is also a founding member of the New Vintage Ensemble. She has been working with the Scranton Shakespeare festival for over a decade in various capacities including directing their productions of Rent, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and their immersive production of Cabaret. She is a prolific costume designer and has years of experience in various departments of theater, film, and television productions. She is passionate about arts education for learners at all levels and greatly enjoys every opportunity to teach. She is currently earning her MFA in Creative Writing at Wilkes University.

Simone says: “I take on this role, not just as myself, but as a piece of every friend and collaborator I’ve worked with here. We have such an incredible community of truly audacious dreamers who, time and time again, create life changing works of art on very limited resources and near-impossible timelines. And we are going to meet the moment we are in by making work that speaks to our times with clarity, courage, and conviction. And we’re going to have a hell of a lot of fun doing it.”

Welcome! 🎉

Photo credit Mindy Tucker

Scranton Shakes has an exciting chapter to announce. Beginning today, we welcome our new Artistic Director, Simone Daniel, a long-time SSF collaborator, educator, and director.

Simone Daniel is a Scranton based writer and director whose theater works have premiered in several cities across the U.S. as well as the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. An enthusiastic believer in Ensemble based work, Simone has supported and nurtured the life of and developed a large body of work for several companies. She is a frequent collaborator of the Scranton Fringe Festival where she serves as youth theater director in their partnership with the Youth Arts Coalition to provide afterschool arts education free to students. She is also a founding member of the New Vintage Ensemble. She has been working with the Scranton Shakespeare festival for over a decade in various capacities including directing their productions of Rent, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and their immersive production of Cabaret. She is a prolific costume designer and has years of experience in various departments of theater, film, and television productions. She is passionate about arts education for learners at all levels and greatly enjoys every opportunity to teach. She is currently earning her MFA in Creative Writing at Wilkes University.

Simone says: “I take on this role, not just as myself, but as a piece of every friend and collaborator I’ve worked with here. We have such an incredible community of truly audacious dreamers who, time and time again, create life changing works of art on very limited resources and near-impossible timelines. And we are going to meet the moment we are in by making work that speaks to our times with clarity, courage, and conviction. And we’re going to have a hell of a lot of fun doing it.”

Welcome! 🎉

Photo credit Mindy Tucker

We are still reeling from XV, our Birthday Celebration Gala celebrating 15 years of the Scranton Shakespeare Festival! We brought back the stories, characters, iconic costumes, and moments from some of our favorite out of the 65 productions we’ve produced. It was an honor celebrating this year’s company and welcoming back alumni across the past 15 years. It was a night we’ll never forget! ✨

Hosted at @sergeis_scranton, we additionally were able to celebrate champions of the arts in our community, including John Basalyga (@basalygajohn) and Alex Molfetas of Center City Printing Company (@centercityprint). Thank you for all you do to keep Scranton running! 🪗

More to come very soon, including upcoming performances:

🇮🇹 LA FESTA: Saturday, September 5th at 8pm on the main stage

🍁 FALL AT THE FURNCES SEPTEMBER SERENADES: powered by Valley in Motion (@valleyinmotion) Saturday, September 19th

#ssf #scrantonshakes #nepa #discovernepa #scrantonthingstodo

📸: @jacoblaylandphotography

We are still reeling from XV, our Birthday Celebration Gala celebrating 15 years of the Scranton Shakespeare Festival! We brought back the stories, characters, iconic costumes, and moments from some of our favorite out of the 65 productions we’ve produced. It was an honor celebrating this year’s company and welcoming back alumni across the past 15 years. It was a night we’ll never forget! ✨

Hosted at @sergeis_scranton, we additionally were able to celebrate champions of the arts in our community, including John Basalyga (@basalygajohn) and Alex Molfetas of Center City Printing Company (@centercityprint). Thank you for all you do to keep Scranton running! 🪗

More to come very soon, including upcoming performances:

🇮🇹 LA FESTA: Saturday, September 5th at 8pm on the main stage

🍁 FALL AT THE FURNCES SEPTEMBER SERENADES: powered by Valley in Motion (@valleyinmotion) Saturday, September 19th

#ssf #scrantonshakes #nepa #discovernepa #scrantonthingstodo

📸: @jacoblaylandphotography

🐇📖ALICE BY HEART 📖🐇

PHOTOGRAPHER @jacoblaylandphotography

DIRECTOR @lizziegumula
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR @bennettmb_10
CHOREOGRAPHER @hannahhsottile
DANCE CAPTAINS @mollyykeeler @maryjane_michaels
MUSIC DIRECTOR @lucashe_re_dia
COSTUME DESIGNER @kianat0mic
LIGHTING DESIGNER @ryan_who_drops
SET DESIGNER @sydney_backstage
PROP DESIGNER @_emily.harris_
SOUND DESIGNER @miranda.sage.rhode
PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER @lj_donovan_
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGERS @say_does_stuff @oliversi.ngh
LEAD TEACHING ARTIST @alison.morgan.ansorg
JUNIOR TEACHING ARTISTS @mchugh.mary @abbyolander
JUNIOR PRODUCER @chloeaconway

ONE CHANCE LEFT TO VISIT WONDERLAND 🍄
7:30 PM
8/2
Shakes @ Shepherd

🎟️ Tickets -> Scrantonshakes.com/tickets

#ssf #nepa #musical #alicebyheart #scranton

🐇📖ALICE BY HEART 📖🐇

PHOTOGRAPHER @jacoblaylandphotography

DIRECTOR @lizziegumula
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR @bennettmb_10
CHOREOGRAPHER @hannahhsottile
DANCE CAPTAINS @mollyykeeler @maryjane_michaels
MUSIC DIRECTOR @lucashe_re_dia
COSTUME DESIGNER @kianat0mic
LIGHTING DESIGNER @ryan_who_drops
SET DESIGNER @sydney_backstage
PROP DESIGNER @_emily.harris_
SOUND DESIGNER @miranda.sage.rhode
PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER @lj_donovan_
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGERS @say_does_stuff @oliversi.ngh
LEAD TEACHING ARTIST @alison.morgan.ansorg
JUNIOR TEACHING ARTISTS @mchugh.mary @abbyolander
JUNIOR PRODUCER @chloeaconway

ONE CHANCE LEFT TO VISIT WONDERLAND 🍄
7:30 PM
8/2
Shakes @ Shepherd

🎟️ Tickets -> Scrantonshakes.com/tickets

#ssf #nepa #musical #alicebyheart #scranton

🐇 Get a sneak peek of Alice by Heart & hear from the SSF Youth Ensemble Cast & Team 🐇

✨OPENING TONIGHT✨

🎟️GET YOUR TICKETS NOW 🎟️
ScrantonShakes.com/tickets

🎭 SHOW DATES
Thursday July 30 @ 7:30 PM
Friday July 31 @ 7:30 PM
Saturday August 1 @ 2:00 PM
Saturday August 1 @ 7:30 PM
Sunday August 2 @ 2:00 PM
Sunday August 2 @ 7:30 PM

📍Shakes @ Shepherd - Church of the Good Shepherd

#scrantonshakes #discovernepa #scranton #alicebyheart #musical

🐇 Get a sneak peek of Alice by Heart & hear from the SSF Youth Ensemble Cast & Team 🐇

✨OPENING TONIGHT✨

🎟️GET YOUR TICKETS NOW 🎟️
ScrantonShakes.com/tickets

🎭 SHOW DATES
Thursday July 30 @ 7:30 PM
Friday July 31 @ 7:30 PM
Saturday August 1 @ 2:00 PM
Saturday August 1 @ 7:30 PM
Sunday August 2 @ 2:00 PM
Sunday August 2 @ 7:30 PM

📍Shakes @ Shepherd - Church of the Good Shepherd

#scrantonshakes #discovernepa #scranton #alicebyheart #musical

MEET THE🐇 ALICE BY HEART 🐇CREATIVE TEAM

LIZZIE NEWCOMB GUMULA (ASSOCIATE PRODUCER, DIRECTOR/MUCH ADO & ALICE BY HEART) (she/her) is a Scranton-born director, educator, classical pianist, and producer who has worked with Scranton Shakes since 2016. Her proudest directing credit is Spring Awakening, which she produced/directed with the Alumni of the Youth Ensemble at SSF. She also produced Spring Awakening at Relic Theatre Company, directed by Original Broadway Cast member Robi Hager. Directing credits: Sweeney Todd, Spring Awakening (SSF Alumni), Romeo & Juliet, Little Shop of Horrors, Into the Woods, The Tempest, Twelfth Night, The Lightning Thief, Heathers, Peter & the Starcatcher (SSF Youth Ensemble); tick, tick...BOOM! (Ridley Performing Arts); Sunday in the Park... (University of Pennsylvania); Bonnie & Clyde (Haddonfield); Shakespeare’s R&J, Much Ado (Lafayette College), assisting/teaching at The Media Theatre and Yes...And!. Lizzie finishes her works as the Development Associate at the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia this summer before moving to New York to pursue her MFA in Theatre Direction from Columbia University. Establishing the Youth Ensemble program & the Kay and Art White Scholarship Fund are what she considers her most fulfilling achievements. BA Lafayette College. Thank you Kay, Jeff Coon, Hazel, & the whole Youth Ensemble team! lizzienewcombgumula.com @lizziegumula

HANNAH SOTTILE (CHOREOGRAPHER/MUCH ADO & ALICE BY HEART, ENSEMBLE/CAROUSEL)
Hannah is so excited to be joining the creative team and cast of Scranton Shakes season 15! She is a rising senior at Syracuse University, studying Political Science, Political Philosophy, and Dance. Hannah would like to thank her family and friends for always supporting her creative endeavors, she would not be able to do it without you.

🎟️GET YOUR TICKETS NOW 🎟️
ScrantonShakes.com/tickets

🎭 SHOW DATES
Thursday July 30 @ 7:30 PM
Friday July 31 @ 7:30 PM
Saturday August 1 @ 2:00 PM
Saturday August 1 @ 7:30 PM
Sunday August 2 @ 2:00 PM
Sunday August 2 @ 7:30 PM

📍Shakes @ Shepherd

#AliceByHeart #SSF #musical #NEPA #theatre

MEET THE🐇 ALICE BY HEART 🐇CREATIVE TEAM

LIZZIE NEWCOMB GUMULA (ASSOCIATE PRODUCER, DIRECTOR/MUCH ADO & ALICE BY HEART) (she/her) is a Scranton-born director, educator, classical pianist, and producer who has worked with Scranton Shakes since 2016. Her proudest directing credit is Spring Awakening, which she produced/directed with the Alumni of the Youth Ensemble at SSF. She also produced Spring Awakening at Relic Theatre Company, directed by Original Broadway Cast member Robi Hager. Directing credits: Sweeney Todd, Spring Awakening (SSF Alumni), Romeo & Juliet, Little Shop of Horrors, Into the Woods, The Tempest, Twelfth Night, The Lightning Thief, Heathers, Peter & the Starcatcher (SSF Youth Ensemble); tick, tick...BOOM! (Ridley Performing Arts); Sunday in the Park... (University of Pennsylvania); Bonnie & Clyde (Haddonfield); Shakespeare’s R&J, Much Ado (Lafayette College), assisting/teaching at The Media Theatre and Yes...And!. Lizzie finishes her works as the Development Associate at the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia this summer before moving to New York to pursue her MFA in Theatre Direction from Columbia University. Establishing the Youth Ensemble program & the Kay and Art White Scholarship Fund are what she considers her most fulfilling achievements. BA Lafayette College. Thank you Kay, Jeff Coon, Hazel, & the whole Youth Ensemble team! lizzienewcombgumula.com @lizziegumula

HANNAH SOTTILE (CHOREOGRAPHER/MUCH ADO & ALICE BY HEART, ENSEMBLE/CAROUSEL)
Hannah is so excited to be joining the creative team and cast of Scranton Shakes season 15! She is a rising senior at Syracuse University, studying Political Science, Political Philosophy, and Dance. Hannah would like to thank her family and friends for always supporting her creative endeavors, she would not be able to do it without you.

🎟️GET YOUR TICKETS NOW 🎟️
ScrantonShakes.com/tickets

🎭 SHOW DATES
Thursday July 30 @ 7:30 PM
Friday July 31 @ 7:30 PM
Saturday August 1 @ 2:00 PM
Saturday August 1 @ 7:30 PM
Sunday August 2 @ 2:00 PM
Sunday August 2 @ 7:30 PM

📍Shakes @ Shepherd

#AliceByHeart #SSF #musical #NEPA #theatre

✨🪩Gala XV🪩✨ is TONIGHT!! Hear From SSF Alumni ✨Sam Morales✨
& celebrate why you love SSF

Celebrate our 15th Anniversary of the Scranton Shakespeare Festival July 26th at Sergei’s

With Live Performances By Scranton Shakes Alumni 🎶🎵🎶

Specialty SSF Themed Cocktails / Cash Bar 🍸🍹

Silent Action with help from Local Business across Scranton, PA

Raffle - $2,000 One Usage of the Luxury Box at the Walnut Street Theatre In Philadelphia for the 2026-2027 Season, including 10 Private Box Seats, Drinks & Snacks 🎭

TICKETS ON SALE NOW
🎟️General Ticket - $30

🎟️ General Ticket + Food - $45

🎟️VIP Tickets - $60
• Fast Pass Entrees for Red Carpet & Bar Access
• Seating Access
• Complimentary Hor D’oeuvres
• One Complimentary Wine/Beer/Soft Drinks

We’re so excited to honor John Basalyga & Alex Molfetas for their steadfast support of Scranton Shakes over the past 15 years

#ScrantonShakespeareFestival #Season15 #GalaXV #SSF #theatre

✨🪩Gala XV🪩✨ is TONIGHT!! Hear From SSF Alumni ✨Sam Morales✨
& celebrate why you love SSF

Celebrate our 15th Anniversary of the Scranton Shakespeare Festival July 26th at Sergei’s

With Live Performances By Scranton Shakes Alumni 🎶🎵🎶

Specialty SSF Themed Cocktails / Cash Bar 🍸🍹

Silent Action with help from Local Business across Scranton, PA

Raffle - $2,000 One Usage of the Luxury Box at the Walnut Street Theatre In Philadelphia for the 2026-2027 Season, including 10 Private Box Seats, Drinks & Snacks 🎭

TICKETS ON SALE NOW
🎟️General Ticket - $30

🎟️ General Ticket + Food - $45

🎟️VIP Tickets - $60
• Fast Pass Entrees for Red Carpet & Bar Access
• Seating Access
• Complimentary Hor D’oeuvres
• One Complimentary Wine/Beer/Soft Drinks

We’re so excited to honor John Basalyga & Alex Molfetas for their steadfast support of Scranton Shakes over the past 15 years

#ScrantonShakespeareFestival #Season15 #GalaXV #SSF #theatre

From now to 5p get your pre-rep weekends caffeine fix at Goodness Bowls! 15% of all proceeds going to SSF!

Thank you for supporting Season 15 and shoutout to our own @hannahhsottile for helping coordinate! ☀️☕️

From now to 5p get your pre-rep weekends caffeine fix at Goodness Bowls! 15% of all proceeds going to SSF!

Thank you for supporting Season 15 and shoutout to our own @hannahhsottile for helping coordinate! ☀️☕️

Hear From SSF Alumni ✨Emma Rosa Went✨ & celebrate your favorite SSF memories at
✨🪩Gala XV🪩✨

Celebrate our 15th Anniversary of the Scranton Shakespeare Festival July 26th at Sergei’s Live

With Live Performances By Scranton Shakes Alumni 🎶🎵🎶

Specialty SSF Themed Cocktails / Cash Bar 🍸🍹

Silent Action with help from Local Business across Scranton, PA

Raffle - $2,000 One Usage of the Luxury Box at the Walnut Street Theatre In Philadelphia for the 2026-2027 Season, including 10 Private Box Seats, Drinks & Snacks 🎭

TICKETS ON SALE NOW
🎟️General Ticket - $30

🎟️ General Ticket + Food - $45

🎟️VIP Tickets - $60
• Fast Pass Entrees for Red Carpet & Bar Access
• Seating Access
• Complimentary Hor D’oeuvres
• One Complimentary Wine/Beer/Soft Drinks

We’re so excited to honor John Basalyga & Alex Molfetas for their steadfast support of Scranton Shakes over the past 15 years

#ScrantonShakespeareFestival #Season15 #GalaXV #SSF #theatre

Hear From SSF Alumni ✨Emma Rosa Went✨ & celebrate your favorite SSF memories at
✨🪩Gala XV🪩✨

Celebrate our 15th Anniversary of the Scranton Shakespeare Festival July 26th at Sergei’s Live

With Live Performances By Scranton Shakes Alumni 🎶🎵🎶

Specialty SSF Themed Cocktails / Cash Bar 🍸🍹

Silent Action with help from Local Business across Scranton, PA

Raffle - $2,000 One Usage of the Luxury Box at the Walnut Street Theatre In Philadelphia for the 2026-2027 Season, including 10 Private Box Seats, Drinks & Snacks 🎭

TICKETS ON SALE NOW
🎟️General Ticket - $30

🎟️ General Ticket + Food - $45

🎟️VIP Tickets - $60
• Fast Pass Entrees for Red Carpet & Bar Access
• Seating Access
• Complimentary Hor D’oeuvres
• One Complimentary Wine/Beer/Soft Drinks

We’re so excited to honor John Basalyga & Alex Molfetas for their steadfast support of Scranton Shakes over the past 15 years

#ScrantonShakespeareFestival #Season15 #GalaXV #SSF #theatre

Hear From SSF Alumni ✨Quinn Hemphill✨
& Get Ready for Event of the Year
✨🪩Gala XV🪩✨
Celebrate our 15th Anniversary of the Scranton Shakespeare Festival July 26th at Sergei’s Live

With Live Performances By Scranton Shakes Alumni 🎶🎵🎶

Specialty SSF Themed Cocktails / Cash Bar 🍸🍹

Silent Action with help from Local Business across Scranton, PA

Raffle - $2,000 One Usage of the Luxury Box at the Walnut Street Theatre In Philadelphia for the 2026-2027 Season, including 10 Private Box Seats, Drinks & Snacks 🎭

TICKETS ON SALE NOW
🎟️General Ticket - $30

🎟️ General Ticket + Food - $45

🎟️VIP Tickets - $60
• Fast Pass Entrees for Red Carpet & Bar Access
• Seating Access
• Complimentary Hor D’oeuvres
• One Complimentary Wine/Beer/Soft Drinks

We’re so excited to honor John Basalyga & Alex Molfetas for their steadfast support of Scranton Shakes over the past 15 years

#ScrantonShakespeareFestival #Season15 #GalaXV #SSF #theatre

Hear From SSF Alumni ✨Quinn Hemphill✨
& Get Ready for Event of the Year
✨🪩Gala XV🪩✨
Celebrate our 15th Anniversary of the Scranton Shakespeare Festival July 26th at Sergei’s Live

With Live Performances By Scranton Shakes Alumni 🎶🎵🎶

Specialty SSF Themed Cocktails / Cash Bar 🍸🍹

Silent Action with help from Local Business across Scranton, PA

Raffle - $2,000 One Usage of the Luxury Box at the Walnut Street Theatre In Philadelphia for the 2026-2027 Season, including 10 Private Box Seats, Drinks & Snacks 🎭

TICKETS ON SALE NOW
🎟️General Ticket - $30

🎟️ General Ticket + Food - $45

🎟️VIP Tickets - $60
• Fast Pass Entrees for Red Carpet & Bar Access
• Seating Access
• Complimentary Hor D’oeuvres
• One Complimentary Wine/Beer/Soft Drinks

We’re so excited to honor John Basalyga & Alex Molfetas for their steadfast support of Scranton Shakes over the past 15 years

#ScrantonShakespeareFestival #Season15 #GalaXV #SSF #theatre

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The Lightning Thief, 2023

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