Formed in February 2025, the Town Run Theater Company is a community theater ensemble that makes its home at the Opera House and whose name pays homage to the beloved waterway that flows through historic Shepherdstown.
The Town Run Theater Company’s first production will be “Bleeding Kansas” by Kathryn Walat. The powerful drama is set in the Kansas territory in 1855-56, where George and Kitty Clarke have set out to start a new life as farmers. In 1854, the Kansas-Nebraska Act allowed settlers in the new territory of Kansas to vote to determine if the new state would be slave or free. As voter fraud turned into political violence, the threat of bloodshed became all too real to even those who wanted no part of the issue. Tickets are now on sale for six performances: May 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, and 25.
The Company plans two more plays in 2025, in September and December.
Led by Artistic Director Joe Yates, the Town Run Theater Company draws on the professional-caliber talent pool in our region.
The Founding Members of the Town Run Theater Company are:
Joe Yates – Artistic Director. Joe Yates has been involved in theater virtually his entire life, doing everything from sweeping floors at Olney Theater to singing “Maria” at Gonzaga High School, betraying Jesus at Shepherd “College,” terrorizing Nurse Ratched in Charles Town, getting married at least 10 times despite never divorcing and actually being Catholic, and dying various deaths in more ways than he can count. Joe spent five years in New York City as a founding member of the Mint Theater Company as an actor and as Managing Director, where he worked with and learned from too many awesome folks to name. Locally, he has a stack of scripts about two feet high from roles he understudied at the Contemporary American Theater Festival. He also directed main stage musicals and operas at Shepherd University as an adjunct professor. As a youth minister at his church, Joe has directed, acted and written musicals and plays over the past 10 years or so, and in the community has produced, directed and acted in numerous plays, including most recently reviving the roles of John Brown, Stephen Douglas, and one of his all-time favorite roles, Don in “Rounding Third.” Joe is thrilled and honored to lead the Town Run Theater Company, through which he hopes to maintain strong relationships, make new ones, and challenge and (hopefully) entertain audiences for many years to come.
Emily Wanger – Assistant Artistic Director. Emily Wanger is based in Shepherdstown, WV. Her theatrical career began with The Rivalry and continued with roles in The Anvil and New Home for Liberty. With a strong background in dance, she co-founded and served as artistic director of the Shepherdstown School of Dance from 2003 to 2020. During that time, she also choreographed numerous productions at Shepherd University, including Company, Pirates of Penzance, and Big River, and taught Movement for Singers as an adjunct in the university’s Music Department. Emily currently shares her passion for language and culture as a French teacher at Spring Mills High School.
Homer Speaker. Being on stage is something Homer did not consider until, about 20 years ago, he saw an audition announcement for the play, Twelve Angry Men. Since he was a public defender (now retired) and felony trial attorney, he thought “why not”? He was cast in that play as Juror 6 and the rest is history as they say. His roles have been many and varied, from Shakespearean tragedies to farces, leading actor to a few lines. Venues have ranged from large to very small. What is it about being on stage that keep drawing him back? Homer says it’s “the privilege of trying to create something, the collaboration with other actors and all the unseen “players,” and the relationship of actor with the audience.”
Richard Yates. Richard Yates is an experienced actor and dancer from Shepherdstown, West Virginia. He started his stage career at a young age, dancing with Shepherdstown School of Dance, where he danced in several productions of the Nutcracker, as well as Peter and the Wolf and selections from Don Quixote, Sleeping Beauty, and several other ballets. He has made appearances in several musicals at St. Agnes, including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Joseph), Fiddler on the Roof (Ensemble), and West Side Story (Tony). Richard has also performed with the School of Theatre and Dance at WVU, appearing in Sweet Charity (Men’s Ensemble), and Dance Now. Richard is excited to make his return to the stage in Bleeding Kansas. He’s involved with the Town Run Theater Company because he “hasn’t acted consistently since college, and this is a great opportunity to create real art.”
Sarah Ward. Sarah Ward is a graduate of Washington High School and currently attends Blueridge College. She also works with the Boys and Girls Club, where she has the joy of connecting with some truly amazing kids. One day, she was invited to help create the Town Run Theater Company. Even though she didn’t have much experience with acting, she felt a deep sense of purpose in saying yes. Since then, being part of this group has been a true blessing—filled with growth and meaningful connections. She’s excited to continue learning, growing, and discovering more about herself through the world of acting.
Behind the Curtain
The Town Run Theater Company is all-volunteer and the Shepherdstown Opera House provides the Company no-cost access to rehearsal and performance space as well as promotional and administrative support.
Support us!
- Buy tickets to Town Run Theater Company productions. Ticket revenue is oh-so-important to help pay for costumes, props, and licenses to perform a play – not to mention the boring stuff like insurance, electric, water, internet, ticketing, cleaning, and the myriad other operational expenses we need to cover.
- Advertise in our printed and digital program – Our audiences are thoughtful and engaged community members – the ideal audience for YOUR business or message. Email Contact@OperaHouseLive.com to discuss opportunities.
- Sponsorships – Please let us know your interest in being a named sponsor of an upcoming play. Our sponsorship program (currently being designed) will be crucial to help close the gap between our expenses and ticket and advertisement revenue. Email or call the Opera House at 304-876-3704.
- Volunteer – Want to get involved in a more hands-on way? Email us at TownRun@OperaHouseLive.com.