Portland Shakespeare Project

07/21/2025

We thank you for joining us for the production of
The Merchant of Venice
by William Shakespeare
In a Modern Verse Translation by Elise Thoron

https://portlandshakes.org/
Photo: David Kinder

07/19/2025

Only two performances left. 7/19 @ 7:30pm and 7/20 @ 2pm.

The Merchant of Venice
by William Shakespeare
In a Modern Verse Translation by Elise Thoron
Photos: David Kinder

https://portlandshakes.org/

The Merchant of Venice is a comedy/tragedy set in Italy. It is centered around love, money, prejudice, and social injustice.

Shylock asks for a pound of flesh as part of a loan contract; Bassonio agrees to it, and Portia saves the day by disguising her identity and pretending to practice the law.

No one dies, although Shylock loses his money, his property, and his religion.

The Merchant of Venice is a comedy, but it forces us to consider antisemitism and racism then and now.

Performances at Portland Playhouse

07/16/2025

Just like home: A ‘Merchant of Venice’ that feels like here and now: Portland Shakespeare Project’s "Merchant" uses a new modern-verse translation by Elise Thoron to mirror contemporary American othering.
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The Merchant of Venice
by William Shakespeare
In a Modern Verse Translation by Elise Thoron

Final performance July 20, 2025

Portland Shakespeare Project’s "Merchant" uses a new modern-verse translation by Elise Thoron to mirror contemporary American othering.

07/14/2025

The Merchant of Venice
by William Shakespeare
In a Modern Verse Translation by Elise Thoron
Directed by Avital Shira

July 10-20, 2025
portlandshakes.org

photos by: David Kinder

07/12/2025

The Merchant of Venice
by William Shakespeare
In a Modern Verse Translation by Elise Thoron
Directed by Avital Shira

July 10-20, 2025
portlandshakes.org

photos by: David Kinder

Portland Shakespeare Project presents classical theatre and related contemporary works, together with educational programs for actors and theatre-lovers.

07/11/2025

Tonight The Merchant of Venice opened!
Only 7 performances left.
July 10-20, 2025

Get your tickets today! https://portlandshakes.org/
by William Shakespeare
In a Modern Verse Translation by Elise Thoron
Directed by Avital Shira

Photos by: David Kinder

07/09/2025

Take a look behind the curtain with costume designer Anya Jones!

See where the magic begins, then witness how it all comes to life on stage!

The Merchant of Venice
by William Shakespeare
In a Modern Verse Translation by Elise Thoron

https://portlandshakes.org/
https://www.anyajones.com/

07/07/2025

Introducing our talented cast!
July 10 to July 20, 2025 (8 performances)

The role of Shylock will be played by Gavin Hoffman
Gavin has worked in theatre all over the country, including Book-It in Seattle, PCPA in Santa Maria, CA, Tulane Summer Shakespeare Festival in New Orleans, The Shakespeare Theatre in DC, and in various New York City theatres. He is a proud member of Actors’ Equity and SAG-AFTRA. Gavin is a graduate of The Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts and has a BFA in acting from Ithaca College.

The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare
In a Modern Verse Translation by Elise Thoron
portlandshakes.org

07/05/2025

The production team busy bringing the outdoors, indoors!

The Merchant of Venice
by William Shakespeare
In a Modern Verse Translation by Elise Thoron

https://portlandshakes.org/

07/03/2025

Introducing our talented cast!
July 10 to July 20, 2025 (8 performances)

The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare
In a Modern Verse Translation by Elise Thoron
portlandshakes.org

Performances at Portland Playhouse / Portland Shakespeare Project