Will on the Hill Archive
What is Will on the Hill?
For over 20 years, STC's annual Will on the Hill (WOTH) benefit has raised critical funding in support of the theatre’s arts education and engagement programs, which reach students and community members at home, at school, online, and at STC theatres. Each year, Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle take to the stage in a performance celebrating the works of Shakespeare. The bipartisan event has become a mainstay in the Washington, D.C. community: several hundred Members of Congress and the Executive Branch have participated in WOTH over the years since its inception, along with prominent political commentators and influencers. Likewise, top Congressional bipartisan leaders have served as Honorary Chairs throughout its history, with hundreds of Congressional staff serving on the WOTH Hill Advisory Committee.
Mission and Purpose
WOTH was conceived in 2002 as a philanthropic community initiative to advance cultural education in the Washington metropolitan area through a partnership between STC and bipartisan Members of the U.S. Congress and other government officials, influencers, and thought leaders in the Washington community.
WOTH provides a lighthearted platform for bipartisanship in service of arts education for Washington area children and young people by putting Members of Congress on stage to try their hand at performing the Bard’s most iconic works. Harnessing the community service interests of Washington‘s large public affairs, legal, and corporate presence, WOTH also represents an opportunity for philanthropy in support of Congressional charitable activity. Designed to meet Congressional ethics standards, the WOTH program is staffed by the STC Development and Learning departments in tandem with a Steering Committee of STC Board volunteers with governmental, political, and Congressional career backgrounds, as well as volunteers from Washington's political, legal, public affairs, and business communities.
Results
Will on the Hill pays tribute to the vibrant and engaged dynamic of our city. Since 2002 WOTH has raised nearly $6.5 million in critical funds for STC arts education programs while exemplifying the values of collegiality and civic engagement.
Will on the Hill 2025
The Will on the Hill cast of 2025 was anchored by D.C. theatre mainstay Holly Twyford (STC’s Guys and Dolls) and Helen Hayes Award winner Renea Brown (Round House Theatre’s Sojourners). The original script bringing together excerpts from Shakespeare’s plays was directed by STC Senior Director of Learning Samantha Wyer Bello. Lawmakers and Washington influencers included:
Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE)
Rep. Gabe Amo (D-RI)
Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR)
Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA)
Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV)
DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson
DC Councilmember Ward 2 Brooke Pinto
DC CAH Executive Director Aaron Myers
Grover Norquist (Americans for Tax Reform)
Olivia Beavers (The Wall Street Journal)
Rich Edson (Fox News Channel)
Steven Clemons (The National Interest)
James Hohmann (The Washington Post)
Marla Allard