As a teenager in a small, Eastern Washington town (Manson on Lake Chelan), I saw one professional arts performance in 6 years: Seattle Repertory Theatre toured the Western states with Seven Keys of Baldpate. More than four decades later, I still remember walking into the Wenatchee High School gym (they bused us in from all over North Central Washington) and there was the set. The lights went to black and came back up. Actors were on stage. They began speaking. It was another world, a story brought to life.
It was magic.
A few years later, during summer break at UW, friends – Tom, Bob, Rich – invited me on their annual excursion to Oregon Shakespeare Festival. We camped at Rogue River Park and drove in each day for a matinee and an evening show in Ashland. I had never seen Shakespeare performed. I specifically remember them raving about this one actor (Dennis Arndt) who was in this play called Coriolanus. I hadn’t heard of it and had no idea what to expect. I was a little unsure…and the play began…and Arndt was transcendent, incredible as was the whole cast…again… magic.
Decades after watching those productions, I still find myself filled in awe over the alchemy that is created on stages and in classrooms. At Seattle Shakespeare, we are here to create that same sense of wonder that I experienced so many years ago – that same magic on our stages, in parks, at performing arts centers, in classrooms, here and across the state. After 16 years as managing director Seattle Shakes, I continue to be so proud of the work of our brilliant artists and technicians on, off, and behind our stages; our passionate teaching artists; our ever supportive board, volunteers, and donors; our respected community partners; our committed audiences; our brave students and teachers; our simply amazing staff who make every day a joy to work here.
I hope you’ll join us in creating magic by being part of the Bash!
Seattle Shakespeare is a professional, all-classical, year-round theatre company that reaches across barriers of income, geography, and education to bring classical theatre to life for everyone in Washington State. Whether you're in a seat at the Center Theatre or on the grass at Luther Burbank Park or in a school auditorium in Wenatchee, you are part of Seattle Shakespeare.
Bill's Bash is Seattle Shakespeare Company's annual fundraiser, happening online for the very first time! Help me welcome new audiences, new students, new artists into this work by making a gift today, and by spreading the word. You'll keep these classic works alive in schools, communities, and on stage, for today and for the future!