The mission of The Jones Classical Theatre, and thus the Viroqua Shakespeare Festival, is to support non-union professional theatre artists, early and late career theatre artists, theatre educators, and avocational artists from local communities.  The Jones Theatre believes that the American theater is enriched and well supported by non-union artists, community theaters, theatre educators, and their supporters. Therefore, each festival production is comprised of a core group of traveling, professional actors and a group of local, avocational artists from each community. The festival intends to be in conversation with each community it travels to and to curate a festival with the community in mind.  

Viroqua and Thoreau College were chosen as the home for the festival because of its rich artistic community, diverse performance spaces, and curious audiences. We have a passion for taking the theatre to the people and for performing Shakespeare in the beautiful Wisconsin outdoors. We hope to see you there!