Around Town: Shakespeare Returns to the Lake With an Absurdist Twist

Summary: John Tomlinson has spent nearly two decades building community theater in Lake County, bringing together volunteers, students and seasoned performers through New Vintage Productions. This summer's free outdoor production of Shakespeare's "Two Gentlemen of Verona" continues that mission, blending classic theater with an absurdist sensibility while creating opportunities for audiences and young performers alike. Supported by Lake County Friends of Mendocino College, the performances reflect Tomlinson's belief that theater fosters connection, creativity and collaboration.

“I am trying to bring both Shakespeare and absurdity into the same place.” — John Tomlinson

CLEARLAKE, Calif. — Bring your blankets or lawn chairs to the gorgeous shores of Clear Lake and get ready for some fun and free outdoor entertainment as you enjoy Shakespeare’s “Two Gentlemen of Verona.” Performances begin at 7 p.m. on July 25 and 26 at Library Park in Lakeport, with two more shows on July 31 and Aug. 1 at Austin Park in Clearlake.

John Tomlinson, who moved to Lake County in 2007, is creative director of New Vintage Productions and instructs theater arts, film and speech at the Mendocino College Lake Center. He also teaches a film class at Woodland College’s Lake County Campus and produces Shakespeare at the Lake. Tomlinson underscored that producing theater events is a team effort that involves the aid of dedicated volunteers, producers, assistant directors, actors and his wife, Barbara Clark, who has stepped in as costume designer, assistant director and more.

Tomlinson, a longtime theater enthusiast, found a love of acting in college. He earned his bachelor’s degree from California State University, Chico, and an MFA from Roosevelt University in Chicago, both in theater performance. While in Santa Barbara he took pleasure in acting in outdoor “Shakespeare in the Park” venues, which first got him hooked into acting. Also important to Tomlinson was a time at Chico State when he played Lenny in Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men,” which captured his imagination.

Tomlinson has acted professionally on stages in California and Chicago, so he understands firsthand the value of the arts and storytelling’s ability to allow us to find connection, break down stereotypes and allow for outside-the-box thinking. He has been gathering like-minded folks together for theater productions since 2007, first with the Lake County Theatre Company.

“Theater groups allow for great connections, gathering wonderful people who all love acting or helping one another put on a good show,” he said.

In 2011 New Vintage Productions began, initially allowing Tomlinson and others to form an entertainment venue, then an events company.

“At the start of New Vintage we did theater productions, including “Romeo and Juliet,” at Lake County’s Soper Reese Theatre, East Lake Grange, Rob Roy Golf Club and Weaver Auditorium at Lower Lake Schoolhouse Museum,” he said. “Ensemble work was both fun and difficult when we had to move a show around the lake.”

Keeping props and lighting in one or two places proves to be a smoother way to perform.

“New Vintage Productions is 15 years old now and is rewarding in many ways,” Tomlinson said. “A main focus now is its Safe Spaces Drama Club that is a youth theater program now in its fourth year.”

Tomlinson and Clark work to gather teams of youth to write and direct holiday plays together.

“It’s a lot of work, but we have fun doing this together, both as husband and wife and with a team of young people,” he said. “These collaborations offer visions of hope as children are encouraged to learn the many skills it takes for an entertaining show to come together. The learning curve is steep for all but fun for the ensemble, with the combination of rehearsals and numerous aspects that make for a great show such as marketing and working on sets.”

Lake County Friends of Mendocino College helps make these innovative and free performances available to the public. They also offer scholarships to the players so that everyone has a level playing field and can participate. The theater is a special place that makes Tomlinson’s job especially rewarding.

“I am trying to bring both Shakespeare and absurdity into the same place,” Tomlinson said.

Library Park in Lakeport is at 200 Park St. Austin Park in Clearlake is at 14077 Lakeshore Drive.

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Kathleen Scavone, M.A., retired educator, is a potter, freelance writer and author of “Anderson Marsh State Historic Park: A Walking History, Prehistory, Flora and Fauna Tour of a California State Park,” “People of the Water” and “Native Americans of Lake County.” She loves hiking, travel, photography and creating her single-panel cartoon, “Rupert.”

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