Walla Walla can feel like a small town, especially when it comes to arts such as theater and music. However, there are three venues in Walla Walla that offer theater performances for the community.

This year marks the 62nd season of the Little Theater of Walla Walla. Located at 1130 Sumach, The Little Theater puts on many shows during their season. Performances of “Harvey,” the first show of the season, opened on Sept. 22. The second show put on by the Little Theater was a musical/comedy called the “1940’s Radio Hour.” “The Cemetery Club” served as the third show of the season.

“Charlotte’s Web,” the last show of the season is currently showing at the Little Theater. Based on the story by E.B. White featuring the characters Fern, Wilbur, Charlotte, and Templeton, the show is advertised as “a show for all ages.”

“I play Fern, the little girl, and there are three Whitman employees in it,” said Rosie Brownlow, sophomore theater major.
Performances will take place on May 4, 5, 6, 11 and 12.

Walla Walla Community College also offers the community theatrical entertainment. The Community College’s season included “The Foreigner,” “Love Letter,” “A Piece of My Heart,” and “The Glass Menagerie.” Most recently, Whitman professor Chris Petit directed “The Glass Menagerie” at the Community College. Auditions were open to everyone and many Whitman students auditioned and were cast.
“A bunch of Whitman students showed up. I chose the best people for the play and was encouraged to do so by Jon Stratton [professor at the community college] in his desire to make the play a real community event,” said Chris Petit.

Dru Johnston, a senior theater major, played the role of Tom Wingfield; sophomore Sarah Hatheway played Laura Wingfield; and Keagan Buchanan, senior politics major, played Jim, the Gentleman Caller. The show closed on April 21.
Whitman College also contributes a lot to the theater scene in Walla Walla. There are two theaters on campus, the main stage theater and the black box theater. Whitman’s season this year included: “Mr. Marmalade,” “Arsenic and Old Lace,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “Ivona, Princess of Burgundia,” The Student One-Act Play Contest, “Tartuffe,” “Electra” and the musical, “It’s a Grand Night for Singing.” Students have also put on numerous shows outside of the main stage shows.

“It’s a Grand Night for Singing” is the last show of the season and opens on Thursday, May 3. Tickets are available at the box office from 10-12 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

In addition to official Harper Joy Theater shows, lunchbox performances take place during the lunch hour throughout the year and are a good place for students to showcase works they are inspired to share. Students often take advantage of these opportunities to present plays or readings.