(574) 850-2931
Who We Are
SSCo was founded by a husband and wife team—Chester and Katy Shepherd—who share a love of theatre and performing for audiences of all ages. Both experienced theatre artists and educators, they have acted, directed, and taught all across the country and have been fortunate to work extensively with Children’s Theatre of Charlotte and Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte. Having lived in Charlotte for almost a decade, they feel fortunate to have put down strong roots in the Queen City. Now they want to bring their love of Shakespeare to as many people and places as possible. With a strong passion for children and education, they strive to bring Shakespeare to areas where it might not normally be available.
CHESTER SHEPHERD
Cofounder
Chester Shepherd has acted in everything from children’s theatre to Samuel Beckett, but his truest love is Shakespeare. While earning a BA in English and Theatre Arts, he spent a summer as a member of the Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival Young Company (appearing in Cymbeline and The Taming of the Shrew). He holds an MFA in Acting from Western Illinois University, where he studied Shakespeare performance (Mercutio/Friar/Lady Capulet in Romeo and Juliet) and analysis and learned the Unrehearsed Shakespeare technique from Bill Kincaid. Since moving to Charlotte, Chester has taught and directed Shakespeare at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, acted in Paperhouse Theatre’s Much Ado About Nothing (Benedick), and led Unrehearsed productions of Twelfth Night, As You Like It, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. He directed the inaugural performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream for Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte’s summer Shakespeare festival. He is also an active performer at Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, Hand to God, and Stupid F*cking Bird, among others) and Children’s Theatre of Charlotte (The Ghost of Splinter Cove, Jackie and Me, and The Cat in the Hat, among others).
KATY SHEPHERD
Cofounder
Katy Shepherd has acted and taught theatre across the country, from Texas to Iowa to West Virginia in her almost 20 year career. She’s performed in operas, theme parks, world premieres, children’s theatre, and more. Katy has a huge passion and heart for education and has taught and directed ages 3-18 in creative drama, acting, music, and dance. She’s been a teaching artist at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, Greenbrier Valley Theatre, and South Bend Civic Theatre. She created, developed, and taught the summer camp program for Two Roads Educational Arts and Theatre in Fairfield, IA. Katy holds a BA in Theatre Arts. Her professional acting credits include Actors Theatre of Charlotte (Lizzie Borden in Lizzie the Musical, Regina in Rock of Ages, Riff Raff in Rocky Horror Show, Angela in Stage Kiss, and others) and Children’s Theatre of Charlotte (Wicked Witch & Gingy in Shrek The Musical, Lilly in Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, Cadpig in 101 Dalmatians, Mullins in Peter Pan, Connie in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, among others). Favorite roles at various other regional theatres include Nellie Collins in Floyd Collins, Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar, Kit Kat Girl in Cabaret, and Toad in Wind in the Willows. Her favorite role to date though is that of Mom to a wild and wonderful 3 year old, Perry Alan.