Folktales From Around the World
Adventure and heartwarming lessons come to life as writers from across the country bring the magic of tales passed through the centuries from the page to the screen.
Featuring the creative talents of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color writers, actors, composers, and visual artists, this one-of-a-kind multimedia storytelling event is sure to be an exhilarating ride for the whole family.
Folktales include Kai Kai and Treng Treng (Chile) by Justin P. Lopez • The Two Bears (Yaqui/Mexico) by Alicia Mary Retes • The Tragic Romance of Sohni and Mahiwal (Pakistan) by Tazeen Zahida • The Crane Wife (Japan) by Anne Yumi Kobori • Nkpitime Issei (Mami Wata of Issele) (Nigeria) by Chiwuzo Ife Okwumabua • The Sun, The Moon, The Wind, and The Sky (India) by Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan
Directed by Anne Yumi Kobori
Edited by Christian Pizzirani
Music composed by Akaina Ghosh
Visual Art by Paulino Deleal
Digital Offerings
Our Folktales From Around the World and The “Dear Will” Letters digital productions can be rented and enjoyed from anywhere around the world!
Winner of the BroadwayWorld 2021 San Francisco Awards for Best Editing of a Stream (Christian Pizzirani) and Best Supporting Performer In a Streaming Play (Alliana Lili Yang)!
San Francisco Chronicle 2021 Datebook Pick!
The “Dear Will” Letters
Join some of Shakespeare’s famously infatuated characters as they write to our dear Will for advice on their romantic woes.
Written by SVS Resident Dramaturg Doll Piccotto and William Shakespeare himself, The “Dear Will” Letters features real-life couples performing Shakespeare’s most iconic lovelorn personalities. This production was performed live online and also included some pre-recorded scenes that were filmed on location at Silicon Valley Shakespeare’s summer home, Sanborn Park!
Cast includes Tom Gough (William Shakespeare) • James Lucas (Benedick) • Doll Piccotto (Beatrice) • Aaron Weisberg (Petruchio) • Cindy Weisberg (Kate) • Kyle Smith (Baptista) • Drew Benjamin Jones (Malvolio) • Melissa Jones (Olivia) • Valerie Valenzuela (Maria) • Ronnie Misra (Sir Toby) • Jeremy Ryan (Silvius) • Tonya Mara (Phebe) • Laura Domingo (Rosalind) • Stephanie Whigham (Cleopatra) • Annalisa Tkacheff (Portia)
By Doll Piccotto and William Shakespeare
Directed by Angie Higgins and Doll Piccotto
Director of Photography/Editor: Christian Pizzirani
Production Stage Manager: Ellie Schwartz
Rehearsal Stage Manager: Alexandra Maisonneuve Teixeira