Shotgun is that rare gift - the confluence brilliant directors, actors, playwrights = and profoundly accurate instincts for choosing and developing the best from the best. of the best. Every play they do is unforgettable ... we have been supporters and fans for 12 years, since we saw their outrageous, edgy, funny, violent, heartbreaking Medea in the cavernous UC Berkeley Theatre. Now they have a wonderful space of their own, and are reaching out to work with other theatre and dance companies in the area. I could go on and on about Patrick Dooley's creativity, Joanie MacBrien's community development (including pay what you can previews and work with local schools).... or Jonathon Kreuz, "the box office (genius) that loves you best"... but you must go, do, see for yourself. Start with ASSASSINS! this month. A brilliant adaptation of Sondheim's Tony award winner... you won't believe the set, or the quality of the production, music, acting, etc. I'll shut up now. Just go. Add a Shotgun season to your calendar-- you'll find yourself getting involved, supporting this amazing company, and "joining the family" for years to come. read more

Saw "The Fouth Messenger" here last week. It was amazing! I'm so glad I made it over to Berkeley to see this. The cast us amazing! Definitely a must see! read more

Just saw Assassins and it was a wonderful show. Not a bad seat in the house in the theatre- very tight ensemble, strong pit, and everyone on staff was helpful, friendly, and welcoming. They made me want to perform again- very inspiring! read more

I love this theatre! The most recent show I've seen here was Kill, Move, Paradise. It was all-you-can-pay. A trip in Berkeley is not complete without seeing a show here read more

I purchased tickets to see a show in January 2018. I arrived 5 minutes after official start time and they had resold my tickets to someone else. They did not offer us the seats we'd purchased; they did not offer us other seats for the performance; despite telling me that they would refund my money for the seats that I'd purchased but had resold to someone else, they never did. Beware! Just because you purchase tickets from this theater, there's no guarantee that your purchase will be honored or respected. read more

We love seeing shows at Shotgun. They pick exciting, interesting plays and the acting, sets, lights, etc. are top notch. Even when the show isn't to our taste exactly, we always agree that it's still worth seeing because it gets us talking and thinking for a long time after. read more

We went to see "Vera Wilde" this weekend (directed by the amazing Maya Gurantz--disclaimer: friend). I live in Berkeley, and shame on me!, I haven't been to SP unti now. I really enjoyed Vera Wilde. But the theater itself is great. Very intimate (maybe 100 seats or less). They also have a liquor license. What better way to enjoy your theater than to watch it with some booze! Another plus is that the ticket prices are affordable ($25 for Sat. nite). Berkeley Rep tix go for twice that much on a Saturday night (after you turn 30, say goodbye to the 50% tickets!). Anyway, I'll definitely return to support SP! I'm sorry I missed Beowolf... read more

Shotgun Players just keeps getting better and better. A tiny theatre that started in the basement of La Val's (not that I would know what that's like ahem), Shotgun is now midsize, or so close to midsize they can smell it, and certainly one of the major players in the East Bay. They consistently do interesting, bold, challenging plays that are well worth checking out. Additionally, Shotgun, along with Impact, is one of the few theatres in the Bay Area where you can drink alcohol and watch the play simultaneously, and we all know that beer makes theatre good. read more

In love with this place in every way. This was my first time visiting which is unfortunate since I live so close by, but I'm glad I decided to give it a try. I watched their rendition of Hamlet which was a different but fun interpretation of the Shakespeare classic. The director of the play opened and explained that we were watching a "pre-show" which was special because its a sneak peak before critics start to chew it apart. Throughout the play, the actors made the audience feel involved and pretty much any seat in the house is a good one. That's mostly because theatre was small which for me is huge plus (I don't like huge crowds). The actors are also really great at projecting their voices without any technical equipment which made it truly genuine. The fun twist with this performance was their randomly assigned roles for the play. The audience literally pulled names out of a skull. You have to appreciate how much each actor prepared to potentially be cast as any character. The lead, Hamlet, was played by a woman who took on the role so fully it was beautiful. 20 minutes in I really believed it all. It's like taking the idea of having men play women back in the day and turning it into something that's truly gender neutral or shall I say gender celebratory. Now that's awesome. The show is about 2-3 hours long with a 10 minutes break during the intermission. Because I spent only $7 total on my ticket, I think this experience was very worth the price. Another really cool detail regarding Shotgun is that they are celebrating their 25th anniversary this year! To celebrate they plan on continuing to run all their plays till Jan 2017. Usually there's one play offered every few months, but they will all slowly add up till about 5 plays will be rotating this winter! I have no clue how the actors will pull it off, but I've already put my money on another show playing this summer! A few tips: If you're under 25, Thursdays are great nights to book. You can snag tickets for $5 plus a small service fee bringing your total to ~$7. Book at least a month in advance! Bring your water bottle! They have cold water, but small cups. Avoids having to refill. The play room can get warm even when it's cold outside, so wear layers! Before you walk into the show, fill out a raffle ticket! They are free. I actually won and got a skull shaped stress ball HAHA. They sell food and drink! Beers are cheap at $5, and other drinks are also no more than $7-8. They offer coffee for $2 and Numi tea for $2. Snacks include fancy chips, chocolate bars, and baked goods from Sweet Adeline bakery. I had a chocolate chip cookie and it was great. I saw a few people bring in outside food and they let them eat it on a bench inside before the show started, but plan to have dinner beforehand. read more

See Beardo. It's brilliant. I CAN'T BELIEVE WHAT THIS COMPANY DELIVERS TIME AND TIME AGAIN. Sorry to shout at you. I'm starstruck. I just love these artists and the way they take risks and their sheer originality & creative genius. I love them so much I want to fill all of their stockings with presents during the holiday season and bake them cupcakes on their birthdays and sing them to sleep and tell them that their asses do not look fat in those jeans. read more

Had to quit at intermission...the combination of heater humming noise and it sucking oxygen out of air proved unbearable in upper rows. Many patron were also affected by that and fell asleep. Arcadia seem to be interesting play with good actors however the premises proved to be too little for too many, perhaps lower rows had better conditions. I thought, wrongly, that previous reviews of inadequate climate control were overblown. read more

This is a GREAT theater group. "The Forest War" was the first thing I have seen at their new venue near the Ashby BART station and they were fabulous. I also like their new theater-- truly there is not a bad seat in the house. It's a former church, so I was surprised to see that the seats were well angled. It is a very cozy theater, they have a good concession stand and the fact that they let you bring the goodies into the theater makes for a very comfortable evening. Very reasonable too. No "nosebleed" ticket prices! read more

What a pleasant surprise. "Beowulf" was my first venture into far-out theater (I'm hesitant to call it avant garde b/c I'm not sure I'd know avant garde if it were gnawing on my bum). I was worried I'd either be bored, or be bored while also feeling like my clothes were too normal. What a great mix of people there, though! There were older Berkeley folks sitting right next dudes with purple and pink mohawks (I'm seriously not concocting that for effect), and everyone got along famously. The environment at the theater was really positive and not at all stuck up. I felt like anyone would be welcome going there and having an enjoyable evening. As for the performance, it was definitely original and I was not bored (the fact that it was only 2 hrs. helped). But it was kind of one note without character development, which actually would have made it amazing. Also, the sound quality in the mics was a-la-Bottom of the Hill, so it was difficult to understand the garbled lyrics. Oh, another boon is that they let you bring your beer and snacks from the concession area into the theater with you. So the whole place gets an A + for vibe and attitude. I will definitely go back . . . Josh Kornbluth is next on their calendar. :) read more

We saw Macbeth last night and it was phenomenally entertaining, one of the best Shakespeare productions I've seen. The acting was superb, the direction exciting and different. I don't always like the whole "putting Shakespeare in a contemporary setting" thing because while it's a good idea it rarely sheds any new light or relevance on the play...but in this case, the high-flying corporate context fit the play PERFECTLY as did the cinematic feel of the whole production, with the "whoosh" sound that led you in and out of the asides working particularly well. Hats off to a great, fun, production. read more

One of my favorite Bay Area theater companies. Fairly priced for all audiences, innovative performances of new and classic works with all-star casts that give opportunities to lesser-known artists as well. The theater makes great work on a lean budget, but not in a cheap-looking way; they just make smart choices and let the plays/cast speak for themselves without the glitz and glam you see at an SHN production-- not that there's anything wrong with that-- just different. I don't love every Shotgun show (sometimes the newer work gets a bit too esoteric for me) but I can always appreciate the production value and cast. Other pluses: -solar powered theater. One of (or the?) first theaters of its kind in the country! -adapted church space = fun acoustics! -across the street from BART! -bring your concessions to your seat (if anything because the lobby is too small)! Bummers: -Ashby Bart station _is_ across the street, BUT the parking lot is kinda sketchy if you're walking alone at night. It's also not a direct train back to SF, which is rough at the end of longer shows when trains are 20 mins apart and you're just going one stop to transfer :( -Lobby is practically impossibly small. I wish they could set up tables or benches on the sidewalk to encourage people to spread out with their drinks outside. As it is I usually step out and hope no one notices that it's probably not legal to do that :/ -their policy on re-selling unused tickets is really unclear. In the old days, you could just ask someone who was waiting for a ticket to buy yours-- recently I asked the staff if anyone had inquired about tickets so I could sell them the extra seat we had from a friend who fell ill. They told me they don't do that anymore, and that I could donate the ticket and get a tax receipt if it re-sold. Well... it re-sold (the show was very sold out, as they often seem to be), but I never heard anything about a donation receipt or credit of any kind (my name was printed on the ticket, so they should've been able to track me down). $30 lost wasn't a big deal, but I was a little peeved they made double the money on that seat without any followup! All that said, this place is absolutely worth a look-see. Come with an open mind & heart and you just might leave feeling a little better about the world with Shotgun in it. read more

best theater in the bay area. a small box, and do try to get in the front 10 roes ( the front half of the theater ) but I greatly prefer it to anywhere else... act, berkeley rep... ). easy parking in the bart lot. fill bar, although limited selections. read more

Shotgun Players - ashby stage, home of shotgun players, is a great intimate space! - Performing Arts Near Me - Berkeley, California

I came here to see Enda Walsh's 2008 play "The New Electric Ballroom" directed by Barbara Damashek and it was an extremely enjoyable and entertaining theater experience. I can see myself returning for future plays. The price and location were just right. read more

Eclectic, innovative theater company, known both for original material and for contemporary takes on the classics. I've seen them do their takes on Chekhov, Shakespeare, Faust -- and in two especially popular turns, a sort of rock opera version of Beowulf and an outdoor hip-hop-influenced take on Animal Farm. Great stuff! Their regular space is a small theater in an old church space, located almost directly across the street from Ashby BART. Very convenient, pleasant space, although it's too bad there aren't more restaurant options within easy walking distance, especially on a Sunday night. read more

Good snacks, good prices, good customer service at box office. The play I saw did not seem to manage the fine line between acting and yelling. Still one of the best performances in the east bay, though. read more

The only thing you can expect when going to a Shotgun show is to have your expectations blown to bits. Always entertaining, ever inventive, and a joyful theatre in which to usher in the uninitiated, Shotgun offers classic and fresh new works at the wonderful Ashby Stage and @ in the great outdoors during the summer. Good people and good times. read more

Shotgun players puts on some great theatre, they are also the first solar powered theater in the US. I loved Three Penny Opera. They also have some of the best and most creative graphic design I have ever seen at a theatre company. read more

I live so close and had never been for the past 3 years, finally just walked over there. I saw a very high quality play for $5! The seats were comfortable compared to some venues in the mission, SF. I got yummy cupcakes, too. I'll definitely be back. read more

Shotgun Players always put on a great show. I first saw them about six years ago now while they were at the Julia Morgan theater, performing "The Death of Mierhold" absolutely astounding, and since then I have tried to see them as much as possible and I am always satisfied. The shows are thoughtful and daring. The current show "This World in a Woman's Hands" is phenomenal- great music, casting, story and stage. If you have a chance to see them, do it. Also, the opening weekend of any show is "pay what you can" a great way to get those who love theater, but can't always afford the tickets, to see great shows. Make sure to get there early, or reserve a space on the phone, because tickets go fast. read more

Saw Kill The Debbie Downers! Actually, saw it twice. I caught the first preview, and then came back and saw it again after opening. This production is the best piece of postdramatic theater I have seen on the West Coast. The script is smart and timely. The acting (including movement and singing) is very strong. The direction is clear, tight, and well-structured. Your appreciation of the production will be greatly increased if you are very familiar with Chekhov's play. Really, really good work! read more

Great seating; great productions; great acoustics and staging.

I've been a Shotgunner (?) for more than 5 years when I saw God's Plot and knew I had to be a regular audience member. Shotgun Players makes incredibly innovative, thought provoking and highly creative productions for all of us to enjoy. While not 100% of the productions are home runs, all of them generate a lot of discussion in my household because there's always something that resonates; the incredible creativity in set design, sound and lighting, the BIG life questions that are posed, the many talented people who share their craft with us. The productions have been getting more and more refined and I'm looking forward to seeing Mousetrap next month. I don't want to forget to note that the theatre itself is an intimate space and that the front of the house staff are always kind and professional. And, did I mention that parking and transit options are easy? read more

I'm a season subscriber and a big fan of Shotgun. They chose plays that make me think and make me feel. I find some of their plays unsettling, many of them delightful, but they are never empty fluff. Great acting, amazing sets -- who needs the slick glitz and high ticket prices of the bigger theaters? I get my dramatic magic from Shotgun Players at the Ashby Stage. read more

If you like edgy - Good plays, AWESOME musicals. Acting is first rate. Costumes are fun and full of character. Great use of space and interpretations of sets. Friendly staff and tasty concessions. My partner and I loved getting the special drinks of the night that were always related to the show. Furthermore, it was very accessible for a variety of reasons: good website, easy to get through on the phone, and SO CHEAP for really quality productions. $7 for pay what you can and $17 otherwise. Plus a chinook book coupon and we got ourselves a date. Really helped as a poor grad student. Wish we still lived down the street from the Ashby Stage... Our favorite seats in the house: front and center. The stage is practically level with you so you feel immersed. read more

We just saw (7/16/14) one of the best hands down performances of Twelfth Night with this company. Wow, nee, WOW! The performance was unique, vibrant, and solid. Neither of us had been to this venue before and were pleasantly surprised on all fronts. Shakespeare performed in the same vein as Jesus Christ Superstar, awesome. Shakespearean purists may find it an abomination but this Anglophile found it to be a refreshing twist. We enjoyed it so much we would go back and see it again!!! We look forward to more performances by this company, truly an excellent find! read more

Shotgun is very well known for brave creative successful theatrical endeavors. They have raised the bar higher than any local theatre and continue to have success after success! Voyage, part of Tom Stoppard's The Coast of Utopia is another success! The actors one and all were outstanding! The Shotgun 'favorites' and the new folks worked together with great chemistry. The Costumes seemed more than just the standard period pieces on display yet again! The director's vision made this a great night of theatre! Seats were packed! If it has not yet sold out, get your tickets while you can! read more

I just saw the most amazing production at this theater. I'm amazed I've lived in the East Bay for so long and this is my first time here, given that the quality of the production was so spectacular. I saw Twelth Night, Shakespeare with a rock-n-roll twist. The music itself was so good that I looked in the prgram, thinking it had to be from a well known composer. But no! This troupe also composed the amazing music as well. I will definately return and encourage anyone who is wondering whether to attend, GO! You will be amazed. read more

The Shotgun Players have earned their missing star. I just received word that the theater stopped selling bottled water. Woo hoo! Do not fret, you will not go thirsty during the show. Instead of bottled water they offer filtered water that you can pour into a paper cup (it sure would be cool if the offered reusable cups, but I don't know if they have the capability to wash that many cups) or better yet bring you own refillable container. read more

GO SOON! We drove up from LA to see Woyzeck here last week. This group delivers absolutely (and consistently) some of the best theatre we see. This is the Tom Waits/Kathleen Brennan piece, using music we know from his Blood Money album. Makes Brecht look childish and dull. Amazing sets, live music with intriguing instrumentation (file cabinets!), excellent singing AND acting. Intense, funny, thought provoking. What more could we want? (Plus they always have such amazing, cool programs and graphics...how do they do it?) We'll we back driving back up for the entire next season too. read more

Firstly, I love the Shotgun Players, I have attended a numbers of their shows thoroughly enjoyed all, except tonight's premiere of Brownsville Song. As a black man I found the writers portrayal of this black family as poorly educated and cliche (judging by her ridiculously chosen choice of a mixture of Southern/Midwest/East Coast dialogue "fusion" where no one in the family with the exception of the gang banging best friend could distinguish between "I be" and I am") insulting and reminiscent of the old Amos and Andy characters, "I sho did!" The saddest part of the story is ithe writer is a black woman who actually sat behind me in the theater and seemingly was pleased with herself and the show. I give the actors an insane amount of credit, they did a great job with the material that they had to work with and as always the theater and staff were amazing. But, Brownsville Somgs writer... I'll pass. read more

Fantastic, affordable, original theater. Just saw "The Care of Trees" tonight. The performances by Patrick Russell and Liz Sklar were incredible. Both showed great range and depth. read more

Love, love, love this excellent version of the "Phaedra" story! Do yourself a favor and see it ASAP. We really enjoy and admire the Shotgun Players and are so glad we decided to subscribe this year. The little theater is solar powered, the actors are extraordinarily talented, friendly, and do double duty at the door or behind the bar. And the bar features delicious snacks and special themed drinks. It's like enjoying theater with a bunch of good friends (if they could design great sets, create beautiful costumes, and act your pants off). read more

Saw the play Our Town here. Very friendly staff and a very intimate theater. I would recommend this play and theater to friends. Also would return again. Only problem is that the showing I went to had a lot of high school classes coming to see the play as well and they were loud during intermission and very rude when going in and out of the theater. Other than that, great experience and very entertaining. read more

I have now been to three performances there. Professional, on time, and excellent shows. I plan to add Ashby Stage to my list of places I frequent. read more

I love live theater and feel like a complete ass that I have lived a stones throw from Shotgun Players for fifteen years and have just now seen a production. I've been to plays in London, Broadway, Ashland, and Los Angeles, but I feel this is one of the best venues and companies I've experienced. The venue is intimate, the productions original, edgy and crisp. If you love live theater don't wait fifteen years to go! read more

Saw the Shotgun Players performance of Woyzeck. My wife and I could not have enjoyed it more. Very talented actors, nice theater (not a bad view in the house), reasonablly priced, and friendly staff. read more