MISSION STATEMENT

Valkyrie Theatre Company aims to provide a creative, nurturing haven through its seven core values and solid foundation of integrity and respect for each other and the craft to create innovative and inspiring work held to the highest standards of theatrical art.

 

VISION STATEMENT

Valkyrie Theatre Company’s vision is to be a valuable and highly-respected asset to its community through premier theatrical-works, a high standard of education, and benefiting the community with empowering, inclusive opportunities. 

 

CORE VALUES

• Courage

• Kindness

• Responsibility

• Altruism

• Respect

• Compassion

• Integrity

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DIVERSITY

Valkyrie aims to be proactively inclusive in all casting and employment. We ensure that diversity is at the heart of our artistic programming. We recognize our responsibility to listen, learn, and take the action required to keep our company inclusive in areas of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, and ability.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DIRECTORS

Jenny Connors - President, Founder, Artistic Director of Women’s Theatre Collective; Executive Director of Valkyrie Theatre Company

Jenny has been performing onstage for over 30 years.  She trained at the Solano Community College Actor Training Program with professional artists.  It was a two-year intensive program that provided classical training in Shakespeare, acting, dramaturgy, stage craft, technical theater, dance, voice, clown, mask, and musical theater.  Jenny began teaching in college at Diablo Valley College’s College for Kids summer program and later taught in Sutter Street Theatre’s Performing and Fine Arts Camps.  She also has teaching experience with English as a Second Language and many subjects as a substitute teacher.  Jenny received her Bachelor of Arts Degree with Highest Honors in Theatre Arts from University of California Santa Barbara where she took a series of courses in playwriting with Naomi Iizuka and focused the rest of her studies on Shakespeare and theatre history from around the world.

After receiving her degree, Jenny worked as Stage Manager at the Northcoast Repretory Theatre.  Jenny also has years of experience as a bookkeeper, grant writer, buyer, and business manager at various companies.   She also started and ran two companies between 2007 and 2013 - Schmeckies Cookies and Sheer Delight Events.  In 2016, Jenny worked as bookkeeper and eventually Business Manager at Sutter Street Theatre.  During her time at Sutter Street Theatre, Jenny wrote grant proposals and brought in over $250,000 in grant funds. Between 2016 and 2022, Jenny performed and directed at multiple theaters around the Sacramento area. Her original play Choices was nominated for an Elly Award.  In 2019, Jenny founded Women’s Theatre Collective.  She wrote, produced, and directed Bloodshed and Bubbly and produced and directed the original one-woman show Out to Pasture, which toured 4 theaters and was featured in the United Solo International Theater Festival in New York City in 2022.  Jenny partnered with Alison Gilbreath to run Sutter Street Theatre.  Now Jenny and Alison are expanding Women’s Theatre Collective to include Valkyrie Theatre Company, which will focus on an inclusive and safe environment, progressive and original shows, and education all done to the highest quality.

 

Alison Gilbreath - Artistic Director of Valkyrie Theatre Company

Alison trained at accredited leading drama Schools in London, Academy of Live and Recorded Arts and Academy of Science of Acting. She received a BA in Theatre Practice from Guildford School of Acting. Alison continued her training with Phillipe Gaulier in Paris and Pierre Byland in Switzerland studying clown techniques based on the pedagogy of Lecoq. She worked for 25 years in London as a Professional Equity Actress with several London based Touring Companies. She held the position of Education Coordinator for SPLATS Entertainment Ltd. She founded Full Face and Profile, a theatre company focused on developing young people’s interest in books and reading, developing theatre literacy and communication skills through productions, community events and workshops. She has performed and produced at Edinburgh, Amsterdam and Moscow Theatre Festivals. She implemented a successful Arts Council funded program to develop theatre and outreach within Hackney, one of London’s most culturally diverse and economically challenged boroughs. She has also developed successful theatre  programs for Blue Elephant Theatre, UK and Family for Early Autism Treatment, USA.   She has experience with diverse communities from working in London’s most culturally diverse and economically challenged neighborhoods, grant writing and creating and implementing educational programs in coordination with school curriculums. 

In the USA she founded  Stage Play USA, which created drama classes, performances and programs for schools. She held the position of Education Manager and Artistic Director at Sutter Street Theatre in Folsom and has taught in many local schools both drama, music, directing theatre productions and helping to implement after school drama clubs. She currently is a Teaching Artist at Sacramento Theatre Company and Folsom Talent Connection.

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