As Berkeley’s Shotgun Players embarks on a new season of theater, the 34-year-old company reflects on how artists can help give us voice in times of unrest.
“Our world is in the midst of an enormous reckoning. I know many of us, right now, are looking for ways to be accountable to ourselves and our communities,” says Shotgun Players’ Artistic Director Patrick Dooley. “As theater-makers, that means making art with epic themes, bold aesthetics and sweeping emotions. Yes, let’s entertain, but let’s also take huge, joyful, heroic risks!”
Director Kevin Clarke. Courtesy of Shotgun Players
Shotgun Players’ 2026 season starts on March 21 with Edward Albee’s award-winning tale, “The Goat or, Who is Sylvia?”, directed by longtime Shotgun core company member, Kevin Clarke. In this tragic story of love and taboo, Martin has it all — a successful architecture career, a loving wife, and a son — but he is secretly in love… with a goat.
On May 23, Bess Wohl’s “Continuity” opens. The director of Shotgun Players’ 2025 ‘Art,’ Emilie Whelan, returns with this sharp-witted, fast-paced comedy about a movie director. On a Hollywood set for a movie about climate change, the chaotic soundstage mimics the real-world climate crisis. As the crew asks whether they can fix the climate catastrophe with movie magic, the director tries to keep her set — and herself — together.
This summer local legend Michelle Talgarow, who directed Shotgun’s Glickman Award-winning “Thirty-Six,” returns starting July 26. She directs the shattering modern classic, “Iphigenia in Splott” by Gary Owen. Effie — short for Iphigenia — stumbles through life in the nowhere town of Splott, numbing her days with hookups and hangovers. Inspired by the Euripidean “Iphigenia in Aulis,” this epic story is brutally honest, piercing, terrible and tender, sometimes all at the same time.
World-premiering on Sept. 26, “The Fall Show” by Erika Chong Shuch — also serving as choreographer — and Charles Mee explores love in the twilight of life. An elderly couple’s unexpected romance unfolds against a maelstrom of movement and memory in an intimate examination of their relationship.
Erika Chong Shuch talks about “The Fall Show,” which she co-wrote and choreographed. Courtesy of Shotgun Players
Capping the mainstage productions for the year, on Nov. 28 is an exploration of the life and legacy of maverick Russian theater artist Vsevolod Meyerhold. “The Death of Meyerhold” — a show that catapulted Shotgun Players into the local theater spotlight in the early 2000s — was written and directed by Mark Jackson. The story of Meyerhold in the early 20th century is surprisingly like the story unfolding today. A revolution is on the march across our country. We’re told it’s great — while artists and journalists are canceled for telling the truth. We’re told it’s about justice — while people are disappeared in plain sight. Where are we — Soviet Russia? Meyerhold’s fight for freedom in turbulent times is our fight.
The Staged Reading Series
In addition to the productions, Shotgun presents three staged readings. These are world-premiere adaptations of time-honored classics. The actors are given just enough staging and tech to get started, and then talent does the rest. Those who support the series with $50 get a glass of bubbly and a reserved premium seat at each reading.
It starts with “Electra Becomes,” written and directed by Chris Steele, April 20-22. Electra is raging against a system that disenfranchises her gender, against a family that gaslights her pain, against gods that play loud favorites and seem to have forgotten her.
Running June 22-24, is an African-American retelling of Chekhov’s “The Seagull,” called “The Gull,” by Tara Blau Smollen. Set in 1938 at a Black vacation community on Martha’s Vineyard, “The Gull” explores the sacrifices Black artists must make in the pursuit of success.
August 24-26, AeJay Antonis Marquis returns after directing Shotgun Players’ critically acclaimed 2025 production of “The Magnolia Ballet,” to tell another story by Terry Guest. The newly commissioned “House of Jules” is adapted from “Miss Julie” by August Strindberg.
Aejay Antonis Marquis talks about “The House of Jules,” a staged reading at Shotgun Players’ Ashby Stage in August. Courtesy of Shotgun Players
Discussions and seminars
These thought-provoking tales of tragedy, humor, love and loss, alongside classic works that resonate with a modern timbre every night offers a chance to connect with neighbors, friends and fellow theatre lovers.
“Now is the time for big art; bold gestures and adventurous spirits to confront the daily madness that we’re all exposed to,” says Dooley. “It’s also a time for connection and community — the kind that comes from shared ideas and space and laughter.”
In that spirit, Shotgun Players will continue its post-show conversations, giving audiences a chance to unpack the themes of each production with a host. Another series, Let’s Break It Down, offers active ways to engage with each mainstage production, such as a sing-along or dance lesson.
Returning for its second season, “Miriam’s Place” seminars explore the spirit of creativity, offering insights behind the curtain into theater production with industry professionals.
Accessibility
Shotgun Players will continue to offer several accessibility features, including video on demand performances, haptic tours, audio-described performances and ASL-interpreted shows at 2 p.m. Sunday matinee performances.
Tickets and discounts
All previous Shotgun Players subscriptions for multiple shows are back. A new dual subscription — a discount for two tickets — will be available for theater-lovers of all ages. Single tickets are on sale now with Shotgun’s Players’ sliding scale. Regular tickets $40-$90; community tickets (limited), $25-$35; MAD tickets for people 25 and younger, $15; and pay-what-you-can previews continue in the week before opening night. The “Trans POC Watch for Free” initiative also continues, offering access to live theater for any transgender person of color, regardless of income.
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