Welcome to Cristina's Fundraising Page!

Since 2011, I’ve had an artistic home as Associate Artistic Director of NY Shakespeare Exchange.  In the nearly eight(!) years since, I’ve been immensely proud of not just the art we’ve brought to life, but of the endlessly renewable resource of imagination that has been the seed of everything we’ve done (and will do).  In just this past year, that imaginative spirit has:

• Put Shakespeare on the bar-tops of pubs throughout NYC (ShakesBEER)
• Put over 130 Sonnets (and counting) on film and on your computer/smartphone (Sonnet Project NYC - US - International)
• Brought together a group of 8 playwrights from varying points of identity and perspective, who each used their own relationship to Shakespeare’s canon as inspiration for exciting new work exploring the meaning and manifestations of heightened language (Diversity Cohort 2018)
• Inspired us to begin a free-admission, wide-ranging series of events in partnership with the NYPL’s 53rd Street branch, which will use Shakespeare as a jumping-off point to encourage community conversations about current issues (Freestyle Labs)

That same spirit guides us as we look ahead:

• To our planned productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Fuente Ovejuna in 2019
• To the launch of our Sonnet Project-based teaching resources, which will give us the chance to empower students around the world to show us how Shakespeare looks through their eyes (and camera-lenses)
• To our INTERSECTIONS initiative, which will bring a fully-immersive experience of all that NYSX has to offer to communities outside of NYC

Finally, on a personal note:

One of the most fulfilling opportunities NYSX has given me is the chance to lead the growth of our casting department.  As Head of Casting, I feel a deep sense of responsibility to make continuing efforts to broaden the depth and breadth of our casting pool, so that our work can properly reflect the diversity of our world (and home city).  This year saw that pool not only deepen its inclusion of actors from a range of ages, races, and ethnicities, but also broadened to include transgender and non-binary performers, and performers with disabilities.  We’ve barely scratched the surface of what true inclusion can look like, but I’m committed to keeping our efforts moving forward, and finding new ways to put the principle of “Shakespeare for Everyone” into practical action.

Exciting as all this is to imagine, we need support of donors like you to make it a reality.  If you believe our work has the power to bring people together and build community and understanding (I hope you do!), please give what you can to support NYSX.

"I can no other answer make but thanks,
And thanks; and ever thanks."

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

Prefer to donate by check?  Drop me an email at cristina@nysx.org and I'll let you know where to send it and how to make it out.