The Canon Shakespeare Company returns with the Bard's epic history of Henry IV.
This two-part historical drama follows the tumultuous reign of Henry IV, an ailing king caught between two very different rebellions: the first, his subjects seeking to overthrow him, and the other, his son refusing to accept the weight of the crown.
While a group of lords, led by the daring Harry "Hotspur" Percy, revolt to oust the King and seize power for themselves, the young heir apparent Prince Hal shirks his duties in favor of partying with the jovial drunkard Falstaff, deep in the underbelly of London.
Featuring a colorful cast of memorable characters, these plays explore the nature of power, honor, and duty, as wars are fought and the young, carefree prince must learn to embrace his destiny as one of England's greatest kings.
Henry IV, parts 1&2 will be performed at Twilight Theater Company (7515 N Brandon Ave, Portland, OR 97217).
Tickets are available here.
Part 1
Thursday, March 28th @ 8pm
Saturday, March 30th @ 3pm
Sunday, March 31st @ 3pm
Thursday, April 4th @ 8pm
Saturday, April 6th @ 3pm
Thursday, April 11 @ 8pm
Saturday, April 13 @ 3pm
Sunday, April 14th @ 1pm
Part 2
Friday, March 29th @ 8pm
Saturday, March 30th @ 8pm
Friday, April 5th @ 8pm
Saturday, April 6th @ 8pm
Sunday, April 7th @ 3pm
Friday, April 12th @ 8pm
Saturday, April 13th @ 8pm
Sunday, April 14th @ 6pm
Cast and Crew
Ryan Pfeiffer
Part 1: King Henry IV
Part 2: King Henry IV, Chief Justice
Ryan Pfeiffer (he/him) is excited to play with The Canon Shakespeare Company for the first time, as well as honored (and nervous) to step into the roles of King Henry IV & Lord Chief Justice. Shakespeare's plays have long been among Ryan's favorite shows, from Don John & Sir Toby Belch in Much Ado About Nothing & Twelfth Night with Montana Shakespeare Company, to Duke Solinus in Comedy of Errors with Experience Theatre Project. Most recently, production wrapped on an independent film of Hamlet where Ryan was cast as King Claudius, as well as writing & producing with his longtime friend, Bryan Ferriter of Interwoven Studios. So many amazing shows with wonderful people that create beautiful memories together, and Ryan is delighted to begin crafting more memories with Canon! My special thanks: To Alec for your direction and this incredible opportunity; it is an honor. To the Canon cast & crew for braving the worst to put on the bestest show; you've truly put your heart & soul into it. To family (Mom & Rod & the Johnsons & the Bests) and friends (Bryan & Cassidy) for coming so far; it means the world.
Rowan Dery
Prince Henry
Rowan Dery (he/they) is a professional theater artist residing full time in Portland, Oregon. They have been performing since they were seven years old but only began working professionally after moving to Oregon and studying Theater Arts at Portland State University. Recent credits include directing The Two Gentlemen of Verona (The Canon Shakespeare Company), stage managing The Pursuit of Happiness (FUSE Theatre Ensemble) and Ronald Reagan Murdered My Mentors (FUSE Theatre Ensemble/ BlaQ OUT), and performing as Claudio in Much Ado About Nothing and Antipholus of Syracuse in Comedy of Errors (The Canon Shakespeare Company). In addition to being the Director of Marketing for The Canon, they are also an ensemble member with FUSE Theatre Ensemble and frequently perform in staged readings with Stomping Grounds Arthouse.
Ira Kortum
Sir John Falstaff
Ira Kortum (he/him) is greatly appreciative for the opportunity to play one of Shakespeare's most beloved characters, the original naughty rogue himself, Falstaff! A charter member of The Canon Shakespeare Company, Ira also serves as the company's Artistic Director. He has studied at several schools for the performing arts over the years, including The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London and Portland State University, where he holds a Master of Science degree in Theatre Arts. Ira has over thirty years of experience as an actor in both film and stage. Some of his more memorable stage roles include that of Claudius in Hamlet, Alfred Packer in Cannibal the Musical, Vince in Buried Child, Macbeth in Macbeth, Uncle Ernie in The Who's Tommy, and Delmont Williams in The Miss Firecracker Contest. He wishes to dedicate his performance to one of his favorite teachers, Geoff Bullen, a fellow lover of Shakespeare and of Old Sir John Oldcastle himself.
Justine Summers
Part 1: Hotspur
Part 2: Rumor, Justice Silence, Earl of Warwick, Travers, Gower, Will
Justine Summers (she/her) is excited to make her Portland area theatre debut, and to return to Shakespeare after a decade-long hiatus. Justine boasts absolutely no relevant training—classically trained as a mezzo soprano, she currently works as an anesthesiologist in the Portland area. Previous favorite rules include Ariel in The Tempest, Marc Antony in The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Nancy in Oliver, and Olympe de Gouges in The Revolutionists. Love to Noah: “whither I go, thither shall you go too…”
Lauren Pickthorn
Part 1: Earl of Worcester
Part 2: Pistol, Lord Bardolph, Coleville, Mouldy
Lauren Pickthorn (she/her) is a Portland area native and lifelong student of theater. What began as a worn out VHS of the 1995 Les Mis Concert played on repeat has turned into a passion for performing arts and arts education. When not on stage you can find Lauren working in youth theater and being a Stage Mom for her two teenagers. You may have seen Lauren thrice before with The Canon, as Horatio in Hamlet, Beatrice in Much Ado, and Speed in Two Gents. Thanks to her men, Ben, Asher, and Phineas, for being her biggest fans. And thanks to you, the audience member. You are a patron of the arts, which is a mighty work.
August Wygal
Part 1: Poins, Prince John, Messenger
Part 2: Poins, Prince John, Snare, Shadow
August Wygal (she/her) is so excited to be working again with the Canon! She recently performed with them as Sylvia in Two Gentlemen of Verona, and is thrilled to be back on stage with all her new best friends. She has also been performing with Kickstand Comedy in their Secret Aardvark shows, and before that with the Twilight Theater as Dale in Five Lesbians Eating a Quiche. August would like to thank her family for their unending support, her partner for being her biggest fan, and her beautiful wonderful cat for being the best boy around.
Paul Breed
Earl of Northumberland, Bardolph
Paul Breed (he/him) is returning to The Canon Shakespeare Company after his appearance last year in As You Like It. Over the past forty years he has appeared in Oregon courts as a trial attorney, now retired. When not otherwise engaged he enjoys performing as a reader of books to children in the Portland Public Schools as part of the SMART reading program.
Owen Webb
Part 1: Earl of Westmoreland, Peto
Part 2: Earl of Westmoreland, Peto, Justice Shallow, Morton
Owen Webb (any) is in their first production with The Canon Shakespeare Company as well as their first show after graduating with their BFA in performance from Southern Oregon University. Owen’s most recent roles include Eric in Absolutely Somewhere at SOU and Freak in Columbinus at College of the Sequoias. They'd like to thank all of their incredible friends and family for supporting them during their journey as a theater artist.
Nate Walker
Part 1: Sir Walter Blunt, Owen Glendower, Francis
Part 2: Lord Hastings, Fang, Francis, Bullcalf, Davy, Harcourt
Nate Walker (he/him) is in his debut performance with The Canon Shakespeare and first production back in Portland after five years of being away. While he was gone, he received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater from Southern Oregon University. Nate could have been seen in such productions as A Midsummer Night's Dream (dir. Jackie Apodaca) And The Thanksgiving Play (dir. Steven Sapp). Nate has also worked with other companies such as Ashland New Plays Festival, Clackamas Repertory Theater, Beaverton Civic Theatre and a performance on Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s Green Show Stage. Nate would like to take this opportunity to thank his family and friends for their support during his reintegration home and dealing with post grad life. It has had its challenges, but he is incredibly grateful.
Holly Cooper
Part 1: Mistress Quickly, Edmund Mortimer
Part 2: Mistress Quickly, Archbishop of York, Feeble, Prince Humphrey
Holly Cooper (she/her) is so excited to join this incredible company! It has been ten years since she last tackled Shakespeare and she couldn’t have asked for a more supportive group of people to jump back in with. Thank you for supporting live theater and enjoy the show!
Genevieve Larson
Part 1: Lady Percy, Sir Richard Vernon
Part 2: Lady Percy, Doll Tearsheet, Prince Thomas, Wart, Servant
Genevieve Larson (she/her) has been involved with theatre in the Portland area for 10 years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts from Portland State University with a focus on performance and stage managing. She is the Company Manager and one of the co-founders of The Canon Shakespeare Company, the Box Office Manager for Twilight Theater Company, and resident Stage Manager for Portland Columbia Symphony Orchestra. You may have seen her perform in The Canon's Comedy of Errors and Much Ado About Nothing, and Twilight's Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story and Five Women Wearing the Same Dress. She feels incredibly lucky to be a part of a company with some of the most creative and hardworking people she knows and is grateful for the new friends she's made during this process. She hopes you will enjoy the show, well...shows!
Sawyer Jackson
Fight Director
Part 1: Earl of Douglas, Sheriff
Part 2: Page, Lord Mowbray
Sawyer Jackson (they/them) is an actor, director, and fight choreographer from the Portland area who discovered their love for the stage after more than a decade of sword-based athletics and martial arts. They are excited to be the one on stage fighting for a change, and couldn't be happier that they also get to do Shakespeare.
Alec Henneberger
Director
Alec Henneberger (he/him) is an actor, director, and jack-of-all-trades from Fairfax, Virginia, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from George Mason University. A founding member of The Canon, he directed the company's inaugural production of Hamlet (also playing the eponymous role), Titus Andarnicus, a Sock Puppet Play (also playing Saturninus, Bassianus, and Aaron), The Comedy of Errors (also designing audiovisuals), and As You Like It. He recently performed as Proteus in The Two Gentlemen of Verona, and as Jess in The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged). For the foreseeable future, he will continue dedicating his work to making the Bard for everyone, and to creating theater that brings communities closer together.
Chloe Lovelady
Stage Manager, Sound Designer, Props Master
Chloe Lovelady (she/her) is incredibly excited to start her stage management journey with Henry IV. Previously, she has been a sound designer for The Curious Incident of the Dog and the Nighttime, BIPOC Play Festival, QWIT Festival, and Peter and the Starcatcher. Her most recent acting credits include Chloe in Sitcom, Kaliope in She Kills Monsters, Cassandra in Cassandra and Lady Macbeth in Unsex Me Here, Shakespeare.
Emilie Weidlich
Costume Designer
Emilie Weidlich (she/her) is a multifaceted theatre artist dipping her toes into the costume design world for the first time! This is Emilie's first collaboration with The Canon Shakespeare. She has worked as a director, actor, and playwright, in Portland for the past 11 years. Past companies she has worked with include Speculative Drama, Theatre Vertigo, Enlightened Theatrics, The Experience Theatre Project, Portland Actors Ensemble, Profile Theatre, Portland Playhouse, The Working Theatre Collective and more. Emilie co-wrote the book to the musical "Matthew McConaughey vs. The Devil" which was an award nominated participant of the 2017 New York Musical Festival. Her favorite continuous project has been participating in Bike Play, a cult favorite Pedalpalooza ride that is also a show. Last year she directed Bike Play's 14th show, "Jurassic Bike". She'd like to thank her husband, Scott and her dog, Little Mac for being the best boys.
Caitlin Steinmann
Lighting Designer
Caitlin Steinmann (they/them) is a lighting designer and electrician, as well as a freelance dramaturg and writer. Prior to their move to Portland a year ago, they spent a decade making theater in the SF Bay Area. When not plugging things in or poring over texts, they like to spend time playing with their giant baby cat, immersing in water of various temperatures, and exploring their beautiful new home in the PNW with friends and comrades.
Special Thanks
Twilight Theater Company
Kenton Church
John Armour
Scott Weidlich
Paul Roder
Caitlin Cowan
Bobbi Kaye Kupfner