MIRIAM’S PLACE
Playing Now Through December 4, 2026
TICKETS

A seminar series hosted by Patrick Dooley

Miriam’s Place

Miriam Schiffman was a life-long learner with an insatiable curiosity and passion for bringing people together. She also loved theater. With the generous support of her beloved husband, Stan, we have dedicated space at our studios to host gatherings for the exploration of live theater and the promotion of fellowship around shared interests and perspectives. There’ll be coffee and tea at every session.

First Fridays · 10:30 AM – 12 PM

Shotgun Spotlight

Join us for coffee and cookies on the first Friday of every month from 10:30 AM to 12 PM as we meet some of the most influential theater makers in the Bay Area. Each session will begin with an interview about their history and artistic endeavors, followed by an opportunity to ask questions and a group discussion.

Tickets are pay-what-you-can.

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Megan Trout

Friday, November 6

Megan Trout

Shotgun Studios @ 1201 University Ave.

Michael Torres

Friday, December 4

Michael Torres

Shotgun Studios @ 1201 University Ave.

Megan Trout

Megan is a former gymnast and has a hard time slowing down. Shotgun productions include: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Grand Concourse, The Village Bike, Hamlet, The Mousetrap, Eurydice, Bonnie & Clyde, and The Coast of Utopia. Other Bay Area credits with Aurora Theatre Company, Marin Theatre Company, Central Works, Just Theater, The O’Neill Foundation, Boxcar Theatre, Symmetry Theatre, and 11th Hour Ensemble. Movement direction credits include: Our Town (West Valley College), Eurydice (Palo Alto Players). Training includes a B.A. in performance from SF State and two programs completed through the Moscow Art Theatre (Cambridge and Moscow). megantrout.com

Michael Torres

In 96, he co-founded Campo Santo, where he originated roles for Dave Eggers, Denis Johnson, Jose Rivera, Jessica Hagedorn, Octavio Solis, and more. An award-winning actor, Michael has played at The Aurora Theatre, The Shotgun Players, Crowded Fire, Word for Word, Berkeley Repertory, Teatro Campesino, California Shakespeare, The Magic, and TheatreFirst, among others.

Michael is Chair of the Laney College Theatre Arts Department, where he founded The Fusion Theatre Project. Michael holds a BA from San Francisco State and an MFA from the University of California at San Diego.

An insider’s perspective

The World of a Play

Get an insider’s perspective on what goes into creating a play from the first read of a script, through design discussions, into the rehearsal rooms, and finally to full production. Shotgun Players’ artistic director Patrick Dooley and other collaborating artists will lead this exploration through the experience of producing the premiere show of our 2027 season. This seminar involves six gatherings on Mondays from 10:30am – 12pm, and four other events, including a read-through with the cast, a rehearsal in our studios, a technical rehearsal, and a preview performance at the theater.

Coming Spring 2027

Stay tuned for dates, times, and more information. When seminar spots go on sale, you’ll be able to sign up here.

Limit 20 participants per seminar

A View from the Bridge by Arthur Miller
A performer at a microphone on the Shotgun Players stage

Now streaming

Shotgun Players – The Podcast

The motivation for this podcast is personal. While I’ve loved every minute of my 30+ years as Shotgun’s artistic director, the all-consuming nature of the work hasn’t left much time to get to know other theater makers. The best way to change that was to make meeting other theater makers part of my job! My hope with these interviews is to learn a little bit about what motivates and inspires, and to shine a light on their current or upcoming projects.Patrick Dooley, Artistic Director

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Shotgun Spotlight · Sep 24 Jennifer King Jennifer King is on a mission!
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Shotgun Spotlight · Aug 11 Michelle Talgarow Michelle Talgarow has been a creative engine and arts leader of the small- to mid-sized Bay Area theatre community for nearly 30 years.
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Discussion · Jul 12 Alicia Mason from Iphigenia in Splott Patrick Dooley and Alicia Mason speak about the parallels between the Greek myth and Gary Owen’s modern Iphigenia.
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Shotgun Spotlight · Jun 16 Regina Morones Regina Morones is one of my favorite Bay Area actors.
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