Meet Our Founder

Tom Simonetti is the Founder and Producing Artistic Director of Valley Shakespeare Festival (VSF), a professional theatre company he launched in 2013 with a table, a sign, and a show—plus a deep belief that Shakespeare should be for everyone. What began as a single free outdoor performance in Shelton’s Veterans Memorial Park has grown into a thriving organization bringing accessible, actor-driven theatre to parks, libraries, schools, and senior centers across Connecticut.

 

A Shelton native and proud product of the Naugatuck Valley, Tom returned home after completing his MFA at The Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University, determined to make live theatre a vital part of the local landscape. His productions are known for their immediacy, humor, and heart, from The Importance of Being Earnest under the stars to Much Ado About Nothing in intimate venues. Under his leadership, VSF has expanded to include touring shows supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, an annual holiday production of A Christmas Carol, and a podcast that brings audiences behind the curtain with artists and collaborators.

 

In addition to his work with VSF, Tom is a dedicated theatre educator. He has taught acting, directing, and public speaking at institutions such as Western Connecticut State University, Quinnipiac University, and the University of Bridgeport, inspiring the next generation of performers and storytellers with his signature blend of rigor, irreverence, and real-world wisdom.

 

Whether he’s directing on a park stage, teaching in a college classroom, or recording a podcast, Tom is fueled by one clear mission: to connect people through the power of live performance—joyful, accessible, and rooted in community.