The Unseam'd Shakespeare Company is a professional theatre company dedicated to rediscovering and reinventing classic and classically inspired plays for modern audiences and presenting these plays in artistically ambitious and innovative productions. The company provides tremendous opportunities for professional and developing artists, especially those from the Pittsburgh region, to create artistically ambitious work. The Company works to develop audiences who appreciate the power of original, thoughtful and visceral drama as well as the excitement of live theatre

Two Houses

Jeremy Garret and Leila Ghaznavi in Two Houses

Jay O'Berski and Laurie Klatscher in 2003 season Women Beware Women

While our mission statement is the singular embodiment of our vision, we are always finding new ways to take mad risks with old plays. We often produce large cast classical plays each summer with a mix of equity and non-equity actors and other, predominately local artists. At the core of our aesthetic is a dedication to tight, fiscally sound, and imaginative ways of producing highly sophisticated interpretations of well known or rarely produced and obscure classical drama (We pride ourselves in creating maximum effects from minimal means). Artists flock to work with Unseam’d for the experience of working on challenging, highly collaborative and diverse productions. We place a high value on creative risk-taking, and judge our success on the passionate engagement of artists & audiences. We don't shrink from the demands of the work we produce

Bryn Jameson in As You Like It

Dennis Palko & Mark Snyder in As You Like It

• In 2005 Nina Variations among Top 10 Best (# 6 Chris Rawson, #5 Richard Rauh).

• In 2005, Unseam’d garners Best Actress Robin Walsh and Best Director, Marci Woodruff for Nina Variations.

• In 2005 Unseam’d received the award for best supporting actor, Vincent E. Ventura and a nomination for Diana Ifft (supporting actress) in Indiscriminant Avocados at the Pittsburgh New Works Festival.

• In 2004 The Company produced Sophie for the National Performing Arts Conference, which coincided with the Three Rivers Arts Festival, the regions largest, longest-running and most diverse arts festival.

• Working in partnership with the Three Rivers Arts Festival, in June 2004, the Company produced the U.S. premiere of the internationally successful Sophie, playing to full houses throughout its run.

• In 2003 Erica Cuenca won Best Actress for her role in the Unseam’d production of Fin & Euba at the New Works Festival.

• Annual partnerships with other local arts organizations (Chatham Baroque, Pittsburgh Chamber Music Society, others) to develop shows for young audiences - branded by signature aesthetic of unseaming.

• In 2002 Unseam’d became a member of the Shakespeare Theatre Association of America (STAA).

• In 2001 Unseam’d responded to requests from educators and other local companies who wished to develop collaborations and launched an educational outreach effort.

• Unseam’d Shakespeare has supported local theatrical talent by hiring and compensating local artists and technical personnel. In 2001, the company secured a special presentation contract with Actor’s Equity Association, the union for theatre professionals.

• 2001, director Kevin Ewert’s Winter's Tale was named in "Best of Theater 2001” by Post-Gazette Theatre critic Chris Rawson

• New Works Festival prizes for Best Director (Elena Passarello) & Best Supporting Actress (Karen Baum).

• 2000, director Kevin Ewert’s production of The Libertine was named one of the top ten shows by Pittsburgh Post-Gazette critic Anna Rosenstein.

• Cheapside produced in collaboration with City Theatre Partner Projects.

• 2000 New Works Festival prizes Best Actress (Elena Passarello) & Best Director (Wendy Taylor)

• 1997, Unseam’d Shakespeare’s production of John Ford’s The Broken Heart appeared for three weeks at the Edinburgh International Fringe Festival.

• 1997, the Company received Pittsburgh Magazine’s Harry Schwalb Excellence in the Arts award for theatre, Unseam’d, “…refreshing—even liberating—to find a company eager to plumb the entire world theatrical canon for new ideas and interpretations.”

• The Chamber Plays co-produced with University of Pittsburgh Theatre Arts Department, first joined New Works Festival as a production company.

• 1995, David Pellegrini’s production of John Ford’s ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore was named the “Best Show in Pittsburgh” by Ted Hoover, theatre critic for In Pittsburgh.

• 1994, Unseam’d Shakespeare’s debut season was applauded by Post-Gazette theatre critic Chris Rawson, when he identified us as “One of the best new companies”

Nina Variations starring Karen Baum, Corey Reiger, Robin Walsh & Chris Josephs

Lars Tatom & Laura Smiley in Antony & Cleopatra

The Unseam'd Shakespeare Company is incorporated as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.