LF: "WOW! Great show Sunday on the river! Thanks for delving into a part of Shakespeare few dare to tread, the women! (I promptly went home and watched Stage Beauty!) The stars must have been aligned yesterday. Des Moines joined Toronto and the rest of the world with our own Slut Walk. It seems we've come a long way since the days of the Bard. As women know though, we have a ways to go still. Thanks Iowa Shakespeare for keeping real!"
Bittersweet Moments of 2011:
- We gratefully bid farewell to our longtime choreographer, Karina Barone, as with the close of our season, she prepares to now take leave of Iowa due to her husband's professional transfer. Karina has graced the stages of Andrew Lloyd Webber in London and other stages around the world with the likes of Boy George and Gloria Stephan, and we have been truly lucky to have had her develop our great choreography program here in our early years!
- Thank you also to the Davis Brown Law firm, for stepping up to the plate to not only support the festival's future but to honor our joint memories of founding Board member Al Greffenius while doing so. Your newly named Fellowship program, the A. J. Greffenius Memorial Chair in Music, will support our trademark musical components in a style that will be meaningful to our fans as well as to Al's special memory. We will always be grateful.
TO LOOK BACK ON THIS TERRIFIC SEASON AND ON AN EXTRAORDINARY 2011 YEAR, SCROLL DOWN BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION ON 2011 and to get a flavor of how we do things here at Iowa Shakespeare! You'll find great audience quotes, critical reviews, terrific topical discussions, and much much more!
Also, watch for lots of amazing 2011 show pictures (donated courtesy of Bill Gentsche) to appear! Thanks also to Juice and Metromix for coming out to take their own terrific festival shots and for featuring them in the papers!
Sign up for the newsletter (Right Side Bar) to keep posted on more fun off-season activities, kicking off with our End-of-Summer Cast, Crew, Volunteer and Major Donor Board Party, to be held at the home of our Board President! There, we will celebrate a challenging but highly successful third season, and get a sneak peak at great things to come!
"We're a HIT! A very palpable HIT!" (Hamlet) A winner of fully 13 stringently competitive Awards (and a Triple Iowa Arts Council winner) prior to merely our 3rd Season, we've already far exceeded attendance projections (in our first year alone, by a whopping 66%!) Between our "Shakespeare on Aire" radio shows, street theatre and traveling shows, youth and educational programs and our great live theatre festival, about 25,000 people each year are Shakesperienced! Thank you to City of Des Moines, our Grant Funders, Silver Sponsor Davis Brown, Prairie Meadows, Principal Financial Foundation, Banker's Trust and other Corporate Sponsors, wonderful Donors, and to our Reviewers and our Huge Audiences - much more below!
TO LOCATE INFORMATION: do the "Elizabethan Scroll" to quickly scan down this page for a wide vareity of items of interest - including fun Insider Info and Hot Tips that will make your Festival experience the best ever! For additional information, be sure to visit our extensive Site Menu and our EXCELLENT FAQ page! Also, see full Fest Schedule and much other Festival info in FESTIVAL SECTION of Site Map.
ON THIS PAGE:
- BARD 'N BUZZ: ISE Hot Topics and BREAKING NEWS! (inc. Weather if applicable)
- SNEAK PEEKS: Festival Fan Fare / Quick Festival Info: Shows, Casts & Concerts!
- SCHEDULE: A MINI Version of our detailed Schedule pages
- R U Shakesperienced? Festival Fun Facts
- ONCE MORE ONTO THE BEACH: Rites of Free Will - "TOP TEN" hints to create the "Best Night of Summer" at our Riverside site!
- BARDAPALOOZA: Dem's Da Rules: How to have a Regal Evening!
- OUR SALAD DAYS: Picnic, wine and vendor info
- DEPARTMENT OF ZOUNDS: Awards! Funding! Huzzah! Hooray!
- ISE INSIDERS - Behind the Scenes - -Did you know? Who's who and What's what
- WILL OF THE PEOPLE: Quick "Quotes 'n Notes" from our Fans!
- HORATIO'S CORNER ("more things heaven and earth"!) Today's Feature: Adaptation and Education!
- GOOD WILL AND A DUCAT: Credits and "thanks, thanks and ever thanks!"
- MINI-SCRAPBOOK of PHOTOS AND VIDEO! - More to come!
- MAINSTAGE TICKETS? You don't need any! The Festival is FREE!
BARD 'N BUZZ: ISE Hot Topics/Breaking News!
(IF Weather Concerns are active, a blue Weather Box appears here re our INDOOR RAIN SHOWS. Otherwise, see our Weather Pages on Site Menu.)
OTHER HOT TOPICS: Our KEACH EVENT was a HUGE HIT! GOLDEN GLOBE WINNER STACY KEACH SAYS: "What Iowa Shakespeare is doing is great"! [PHOTO: Mayor Cownie, ISE's Lorenzo Sandoval and Stacy Keach chat Shakespeare!] How does ISE top our 2010 local production of the world-class National Players, America’s oldest national traveling Shakespeare troupe? With our 2011 world-class event featuring THE leading Shakespearean Actor in America, Golden-Globe winner Stacy Keach! The evening provided stunning Shakespeare excerpts, insightful anecdotes, and a chance for the Mayor and other top cultural and community leaders to learn of ISE achievements and aims. Several in the crowd noted the evening would go down as one of THE best Metro parties of 2011! With more upcoming ISE visits from Mr. Keach already under informal discussion, a Business Record editorial (see Special News under Site Menu) has quoted Keach as saying: “What the Iowa Shakespeare Experience is doing is great!”. “Shakespeare should be free” he continued. A related interview found Keach emphatically affirming ISE’s trademark techniques and adaptations which open Shakespeare’s work to new audiences. A most humble and hearty thank you to Mr. Keach, to Mr. Suku Radia of Bankers Trust, to Festival-industry legend Karrie Weinhardt, and to the entire event team! See the full Editorial, GREAT PHOTOS, press releases, and a simply terrific"insiders" interview transcript of some of Mr. Keach’s remarks by going to our Site Menu and clicking on ANNOUNCEMENT AND NEWS pages. There is a special Stacy Keach subsection! Don't miss all the great stuff!
MORE HOT TOPICS: FESTIVALS ARE IMPORTANT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TOOL! Your support matters -new national study proves Festivals are of high value to the community! A first-of-its-kind study by the NEA finds festivals are notably strong contributors to the growth of an area arts scene, as well as important creators of jobs and tourism. Our local Shakesperience data backs this up - - we create up to about 50 part-time seasonal arts jobs annually and by only our first year, already showed tourism draw from a minimum of 35 outlying cities in an average 90 mile radius of Des Moines. For more about how ISE boosts the area job market and other community development outcomes, on our NEWS pages, see the Business Record editorial under our Stacy Keach page and also a May 2011 Des Moines Register Editorial by Rekha Basu.
HOT TOPIC: I THINK IOWA SHAKESPEARE SHOULD... (fill in the blank!!) We probably agree with you! We are THRILLED to have captured the interest and input of a wide range of well-wishers, and as a teensy company, at a loss as to how to say a genuine THANKS to everyone who has cared enough to write or call in with excited ideas, suggestions, and feedback! This is SUCH an exciting time for a new non-profit. We really are becoming YOUR community Shakespeare Festival! So, here's the bottom line: We are moving in SO many directions that we think SO many of you will appreciate- please know that the only issue we really have is time (or in some cases, funding) to get it all accomplished! Our key challenge is having ZERO full time staff, so you can imagine! At any rate, with patience, with enthusiasm like what we see out there about all this every day, we will ALL get where we ALL want this wonderful project to go! Hang on to your hats!
HOT TOPIC: COMMUNITY SUPPORTS ISE! ISE cultural contributions rank extremely high in local survey! The 2010 major area Intercept Survey conducted by Bravo Greater Des Moines finds the type of activities ISE produces (such as Shakesperience Festival and our youth programs) to be among THE top approval and “requests” categories of the general Metro public. See the website for Bravo Greater Des Moines, under its cultural planning section.
HOT TOPIC: ALL 2011 ISE MUSICIANS HONORED IN 2011 ARTS FESTIVAL LINE UP! Did you know Shakespeare himself regularly put live music and dance into his shows? Well, just like Shakespeare's own productions, an ISE hallmark is the infusion of live professional music and dance into our great shows. This year, the ISE is thrilled to note that fully 100% of our Mainstage musicians have the high distinction of having been selected not only for our Festival, but also for a featured appearance at the 2011 Des Moines Arts Festival! Quite a testament to the strength of our trademark musical components! The ISE has always enjoyed a strong connection to the Arts Festival and we heartily congratulate our 2011 show musicians. In fact, turn out at the Des Moines Arts Festival on Friday, June 24 and you can catch -in a single day- ALL of our featured show musicans: Rob Lumbard, Dwight Deason and Frank Cebuhar of Hot Club of Des Moines - along with the legendary Tina Haase Findlay of our Regina Melodies preshow concert series - - Tina is (naturally!) the Arts Festival's featured headliner in an appearance of "bella soul"!
BREAKING NEWS: Donations to ISE have always been fully tax deductible thanks to our Fiscal Agents. But in May of 2011, the ISE received FULL independent 501 (c) 3 status -and is now independently a registered tax-deductible organization! In fact, we were granted status dating all the way back to our founding in May of 2008! It is notable that the IRS had ZERO questions for us- our advisors call how smooth the process went for us a very rare occurance - a real testament to our use of Industry Best Practices - -and to our thorough fiscal responsibility from Day One as a new non-profit! Congratulations, ISE!
BREAKING NEWS: 2012 Bravo Grants were announced the last few days of June! Especially in a challenging economy, the ISE says THANK YOU to Bravo Greater Des Moines for your absolutely TERRIFIC ongoing support of Shakesperience Fest!
HOT TOPIC: NEW FEST FEATURE! Rotating Silent Auction to benefit the Festival! Our
amazing Jenny Henderson from The Jenny Store, who coordinates our Art Market on Young Professionals Night, is heading up a FANTASTIC Silent Auction for Fest 2011! Items will be available to bid on July 23rd and 24th of our festival run - with the final bids accepted on the final night! Watch for more info!
2011 FESTIVAL INFO!
PHOTO 2010: Hours and hours of rehearsing go into creating each Festival; Here, Juliet (Amy Burgmaier) and Romeo (Aaron Smith) practise their dance for the Capulet Ball. Catch Amy now in the New York theatre scene, and catch Aaron in films or with his band. but catch Amy's extraordinary ISE song ("Juliet's Night" from Much Ado Wop About Something) by clicking it on the ISE's MP3 Menu on right hand side bar! SNEAK PEEKS: Festival Fan Fare / Quick Festival Info: Shows, Cast and Concerts!
A FANTASTIC SUMMER LINE UP! Whether you prefer romance, comedy, or intrigue … whether you’re a newcomer to the Bard or a major fan, you will find multiple delights this year in our outstanding 2011 Season line up of plays, pre-show concerts, and more!
TWO different romantic comedies with music and lush period costumes grace the Festival this year! Both the Bard of England AND Amercia's own Bard will be center stage! Be sure to see our Festival Schedule pages (Site Menu) for full Festival schedule, including an update on which show plays which night, and what stage we are appearing on. (Mainstage is at Simon Estes Amphitheater, but we occaisionally travel our "Will Call" series to other premiere area parks.)
Meanwhile, here is some bite-sized Fan Fare - including a Show and Cast Overview!:
THE BIG NEWS: BACK TO 2 WEEKENDS AND REPERTORY! Fie on our devastating floods of 2010, a down economy, and the remarkable professional challenges of producing true Repertory! Despite these notable challenges, in 2011, the ISE returns to producing in a style rare for area theatres: we’ll resume our 2009 achievement of producing 2 shows in back-to-back Repertory – Huzzah! AND we’ll return to our 2009 schedule of performing across two full weekends- summer in Des Moines has never looked better!
THE EVEN-BIGGER NEWS: AN ADDITIONAL FEST SERIES! Did we say Fie on floods and the economy? Drum-roll please: due to a rare opportunity, ISE is postponing Romeo and Juliet to 2012 - - and instead (cue the Trumpet), despite the floods and the economy, in 2011 we will race into an even fuller implementation of our mission. Did you know that the great majority (about 70%) of America's Shakespeare Festivals produce the works of other classic authors, in addition to the Bard?
Well, in 2011, following the standards of those premiere Shakespeare Festivals nationwide which showcase multiple classic playwrights along with The Bard, we’ll add a brand-new series to our “Shakespeare Under-the-Stars” line. We’ll kick off a “Classics Along the Cityscape” series of extraordinary timeless treats by NON Shakespearean authors. As always with the ISE, both series are lushly underscored with live music and sizzling dance.
As New York Shakespeare Festival (The Public) Director Barry Edelstein says: “in times like today, when things are turbulent or unsettled ...people want to turn to wise men and women whose stories can shed light on the way we act”. The two 2011 ISE shows will both have tie-ins to turbulent times, especially our Mark Twain show, which catches Mr. Twain during one of the most difficult, financially ruinous periods of his life - showing the pathos as well as the humor it takes to weather such storms!
t2011 DATES: Mark the Last Two Weeks in July! Fridays-Mondays PLUS INDOOR Rain and Traveling Bonus Shows) July 22-July 31. Additional shows as posted, too.
t2011 SHOWS: 2 Great Romantic Comedies in true Repertory:
tSHOW A: Shakespeare Under-the-Stars: The Regina Monologues; The Royal Queens and Kings of Shakespeare! July 23, 25 and 31 at 8:15 pm on the Mainstage. Bubble…bubble… and magical Trouble! Its quite the Midsummer’s eve when those famous witches from Macbeth conjure up a real royal Mystery! Two royal Regents who figured greatly in Shakespeare’s life, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Cleopatra, are spirited right into our midst to share wit, wisdom and the War between the Sexes... while ferreting out the witches' deepest secret. They and a surprise cast of famed historical legends will relish, explore and illuminate the Bard’s greatest romantic and comedic tales - just as you remember them! And, just as the Bard himself did, we'll make our shows come bursting to life with terrific live music and scintillating dance! Lush Elizabethan and other Period Costumes and special effects. Comedy, Tragedy and Romance all in one night. Replete with rich, “secret” insider treats for Bard lovers --while a simply perfect introduction for newcomers! Professional sound and lighting creates a wide array of simply magical moods - from completely traditional Shakespeare vignettes to cutting edge "world-class" treatments - - all presented in the context of a full original play -- an exciting "all-in-one" package completely FREE to enjoy while relaxing by the riverside -under the summer moon. FEATURING SCENES FROM: As You Like It, Antony and Cleopatra, Hamlet, The Merchant of Venice, The Winter's Tale, and more!
n CHECK OUT WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY:
aNEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY 2011: "Original music (is) a key feature of many New York Shakespeare Festival productions and scores (have been) commissioned from an eclectic mix of composers, who straddled the worlds of serious and popular music. (New York Shakespeare) also (has) sponsored many productions that updated (and put)...a contemporary spin on classic works"
aWilliam Lowry, M.Lit; re a Des Moines 2008 production of Regina Monologues: "This is exactly the kind of show we always loved and routinely saw in New York- and have been missing in Des Moines. Sophisticated and intriguing fresh fun instead of a tired hackney cliche of the Bard. I am thrilled to see work of this caliber now appearing here in Des Moines. Who says Des Moines is hidebound! Can't wait to bring our out-of-town friends to this amazing play."
tSHOW B: Classics Along-the-Cityscape: Mark TWAIN-ment Tonite! July 22 & 24 on the Mainstage. Traveling shows July 29 & 30. 8:15 pm. No doubt about it- as the New York Times says, that rascal Twain is just flat-out cool, cool, COOL. AND ALSO a HOT cultural topic just now. But this is that Funster Rogue as you’ve never before seen him– you’ll find new twists on old favorites plus a chance to relish VERY RARE Twain romantic works. This is also a very timely story- Mark Twain survived periods of near-total financial ruin and deep personal tragedy (the death of two of his three beloved daughters.) So he is no stranger to our current hard times, but brings the wit and wisdom we all need to overcome them. We’re reprising this hit original play (first produced at Terrace Hill) that captivates everyone from families to the intellectual intelligentsia. BE THERE when America’s own Bard makes this lively, insightful appearance on our own Riverbank --in an unusual line-up complete with Twain's lovely wife, beautiful daughters, erudite publisher friend ...and a terrific musical entourage! An unforgettable summer night of timeless wit that sails across the entire extravagant spectrum of human endeavor and desires! --- FEATURING SCENES FROM: A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, The Prince and the Pauper, Extracts from Adam's Diary, Eve's Diary, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, and Mark Twain letters and essays.
n CHECK OUT WHAT THE CRITICS SAY:
aThe New York Times 6/19/10: Mark Twain “ was cool, let’s face it”… “A smash hit on bestseller lists!” “One of our greatest writers.” “Mark Twain just makes you feel good!”
aMike Morrain, Des Moines Register 6/17/08: “The original script (about a wise guy) is the result of more than a year of research by local playwright Lorenzo Sandoval, another wise guy, who pulled together scenes from Twain’s short stories, essays and novels. …The kind of show that makes you wish your life involved more picnics with linen napkins… Even the one-liners are polished.”
A STAR-STUDDED CAST! True to our aim to feature an intriguing, ALWAYS-FRESH mix of fan favorites plus tantalizing newcomers, 2011 fairly bursts with a terrific lineup of talent! [PHOTO 2010: See 'em at ISE first- here, John Spinks has already moved onto New York, while Heather MacLennan continues to win many awards!] As usual, we’ve drawn shimmering local favorite leads to a whirl on the Shakesperience stage. This year, the Metro's inimitable songstress stage star Preshia Paulding and one of the area’s most intelligent and witty interpreters of character, Mike Davenport, make their inaugural Festival appearances. They will join ISE’s beloved John Zickefoose, formerly of New York where his one-man show ran for many years. John returns to Heinemann-Sandoval Productions for an incredible 17th consequtive show! Multiply-lauded (and Screen Actors Guild member) former L.A. actress Jami Bassman returns to our stage in what in her skilled hands, just might be a role of a lifetime. Uber-sexy Matt Wiggins of Heavy Metal fame (who also happens to be a former Naval officer) is back by unmistakable popular demand! Beautiful young actresses like the fresh Samantha Tucker and Janae Hohbein (The Playhouse’s Cinderella!) and Holly Fusco (a Luther College musical theatre major who has performed in 100s of cities all across Iowa with Celebration Iowa and in such roles as "Dorothy" in the Wizard of Oz) meet up with last year’s stunning charmer: the multi-talented Tiffany Flory – a singing, dancing and acting dynamo (also a Celebration Iowa alumn) who is pursuing her MFA in acting and has been a Des Moines Playhouse fixture. MFA candidate Torii Grabowski rounds out the line up with a storytelling appearance on Family Night and in many other varied roles throughout!
And, speaking of dance, for a 6th consecutive season, the lovely Karina Barone brings her internationally-known ballet talent to our stage in our ongoing collaborations with a wide variety of area ballet schools. Karina has danced on stage with Boy George, Gloria Stephan, and in Andrew Lloyd Weber productions in London, among many many other international credits. Also, watch for guest appearances by television star Morgan Halgren, and by returning radio, stage and operatic hit, Hollis Monroe. To cap it all off, our own Lorenzo Sandoval reprises his award-winning, featured 2008 Terrace Hill role as America’s Bard, Mr. Mark Twain.
THE MUSICIANS gracing the 2011 Festival are just as star-spangled as is our cast! Featured on Iowa Public Television and opening act for the likes of Jerry Jeff Walker, Leon Redbone and Lyle Lovett, Rob Lumbard is a master of multiple different instruments and an original singer-songwriter who headlines our Twain show. Dwight Deason and Frank Cebuhar, two of the Metro's most versatile musicians and members of the lauded Hot Club of Des Moines provide a rich diversity of musical styles for The Regina Monologues. And, the revered Belin String Quartet, our Prairie Meadows Family Night pre-show concert act,ensure the classical sparkle sparks! The Social Groove Drummers will again drum in that ancient Elizabethan magic. In addition, to really put a clincher on Festival 2011, our long-time musical director -one of the Metro's true reigning musical QUEENS- returns for a series of 3 pre-show concerts, as the legendary Tina Haase Findlay and Friends presents The Regina Melodies at 7pm before all our Regina shows! All of these great Festival events will teach our “torches to burn bright”, indeed!
Sooooo... Come down to relax on the Riverside on the last two weekends of July for “The Best Night of Summer!”
MORE ABOUT THE SCHEDULE: See Mini Schedule below, or visit our Site Menu in the "About the Summer Festival" section for a detailed Festival Schedule
HERE'S A 2011 FESTIVAL MINI-SCHEDULE !
(For details, see Site Menu in "About the Summer Festival" section...)
~Friday, July 22: MAYOR FRANK COWNIE PRESENTS Festival Opening Night 2011: The Festival kicks off with Classics Along the Cityscape featruing "Mark TWAINment Tonite!" and the music of Rob Lumbard. The Social Groove Community Drummers will also be on hand to join the Mayor as we all drum in that ancient Elizabethan magic! At the Simon Estes Mainstage. Gates open 6 for picnics. concerts and activities, show starts at 8:15pm.
~Saturday, July 23: SHAKESPEARE-UNDER-THE-STARS! Young Professionals Night and Art Market at the Simon Estes Mainstage. Featuring "The Regina Monologues; The Royal Queens and Kings of Shakespeare." Preceded by The Regina Melodies, a special pre-show concert with Queen Tina Haase Findlay. PS: Watch for our Young Professional's Season Launch party, coming to a bar near you! More details tba! Gates open at 6 for picnics, concerts and activities, show starts at 8:15 pm.
~Sunday, July 24: MAYOR FRANK COWNIE PRESENTS: VIP Night and The Prairie Meadows Family Night Line Up at the Mainstage! Featuring MFA Artist Storytelling. drumming, and the music of the Belin String Quartet during pre-show with Classics Along the Cityscape: "Mark TWAINment Tonite!" with Rob Lumbard. Gates open at 6 for picnics, concerts and activities, show starts at 8:15 pm.
~Monday, July 25: NEWLY ADDED: SHAKESPEARE-UNDER-THE-STARS! At the Simon Estes Mainstage. Featuring "The Regina Monolgues; the Royal Queens and Kings of Shakespeare". Preceded by The Regina Melodies, a special pre-show concert with Queen Tina Haase Findlay. Gates open at 6 for picnics and concerts, show starts at 8:15 pm.
~Friday, July 29: "Will Call" TRAVELING SHOW for Bravo/Prairie Meadows Family Nights: South Suburbs: "Mark TWAINment Tonite!" presented on the historic Randleman House front porch with audience seating on the lawn, Carlisle, Iowa. Travel 20 minutes to friendly small-town Carlisle (12 miles from Des Moines Airport) and 115 years back in time to enjoy Twain in truly historic surroundings on a lush, mosquito-sprayed shady lawn! See CAHS.webs.com. Show starts at 8:15 pm.
~Saturday, July 30: "Will Call" TRAVELING SHOW for Bravo/Prairie Meadows Family Nights, North Suburbs: "Mark TWAINment Tonite!" presented at the Bandshell, Wagner Park, Ankeny, Iowa. The huge stage comes to life... and the expansive lawn is a perfect-for-picnics park - a lovely night in this upscale, upbeat suburb merely minutes from downtown! Show starts at 8:15 pm.
~Sunday, July 31: SHAKESPEARE-UNDER-THE-STARS! At the Simon Estes Mainstage. Featuring "The Regina Monologues; The Royal Queens and Kings of Shakespeare." Preceded by The Regina Melodies, a special pre-show concert by Queen Tina Haase Findlay. Gates open at 6 for picnics and concerts, show starts at 8:15 pm.
PHOTO 2010: ISE musicians are some of THE best in the entire midwest region! Here, in the glow of the Capital Dome, New York's Max Wellman, the Metro's Songstress Queen Tina Haase Findlay, and Las Vegas'Fred Gazzo perform a "Moonlight Medlies" mini-concert; a bit of crooning for our Midsummer Night's Eve Extravaganza show!
R U Shakesperienced? Festival Fun Facts!
Shakesperience by the Numbers: In only our first 3 years...
We've drawn the better part of 1000 to almost every live Mainstage Festival Show! Typically about 600-800 attend, with some nights bringing in nearly 900!
We've won won fully 7 Bravo Awards, and have THRICE placed among the "Top Ten" Arts Awards across Iowa! Including TWO "Arts Excellence" awards!
Research shows Shakespeare Festivals tend to draw tourism from a 90 mile radius, and in only our first year, we well proved our tourism draw! Although due to extraordinary attendance we actually ran out of registration forms with merely 1/3 of the crowd registered, minimally, people from 29 different cities OUTSIDE the golden Circle (from Oskaloosa and Newton to Atlantic, the Quads and beyond!) have already formally registered as Mainstage show attendees! Folks from another 6 outlying cities registered electronically, too!
We've created part-time seasonal jobs for 30-50 Independent Contractors each year, both on-stage and off! Additionally, each year we create sales opportunities for about 20-30 visual artists at our Annual Art Market night!
Since we began producing in 2004, both on state and back stage, our stages have showcased the talents of an average of 3 MFA Artists and 6 BFA artists each year!
3: Number of independent artist rostering agencies who have competitively rostered our founding Artistic Director, Lorenzo Sandoval.
47: Number of different national Shakespeare Festivals we've personally visited on-site across America since our founding - and this summer, we're set to visit several more, such as the extraordinary Utah Shakespeare Festival - along with much anticipated repeat visits to other industry colleague Festivals like the Aspen Musical Festival and the Sante Fe Outdoor Opera.
1: Page Number for placement of ISE quotes for an Oregon newspaper story involving among other things, our visit to the largest Shakespeare Festival in America, the venerated Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
2: Number of Magazine Cover Pages (with full photo) we've had to date: Waukee Living in 2010 and PEO International in 2008.
8: (and counting) Number of Library educational workshops we've provided to date!
100: (Approx) Largest number of attendees at a single Library workshop to date!
600: (Approx) Largest number of youth served in a single year to date (2010) through Workshops, our year-round annual educational programs, and special family night activities at the Festival and in special family-focused traveling shows!
58,127: Number of times our Actors have said the word "ZOUNDS!" (Ok, you're right: we are TOTALLY making that up!)
ONCE MORE ONTO THE BEACH: Rites of Free Will
TOP TEN (er...16!) HINTS to create your "Best Night of Summer" at our Riverside site!
"Summer's lease has all too short a date" (Sonnet 18) and we have "The Shakespeare Ya Gotta See!" So check out this list of tips and hints to make your time at the Festival the best ever!
1. ATTEND! The Number One way to have fun at Shakesperience Fest is....Simply Come! To BOTH shows!
2. CELEBRATE! Is it a birthday, anniversary, first date- or other special occaision? Stop the Director and let her know- Time permitting, we'd like to give you a special "Shout Out" from the stage! (We've even had a wedding break out on the stage during pre-show! See our Wedding Page info under our Site Map, too!)
3. SHAKESPEARE TAILGATING! (Or should we say: Tale-Gating!) Picnic with Panache-whether for just you two or a group of friends! You'll have fun no matter how you come to the festival - but to those arriving dressed with a dash of extra humor or elegance, we say: Huzzah! Floppy summer hats and white bucks - why not! And you might just win our all-in-good fun "Picnic with Panace" contest for on-the-spot seating upgrades! Because at Shakesperience Fest, we brake for Candleabra! While certainly not required, dressing "in the spirit" and the “delightfully wicked” tradition of bringing an elegant picnic continues. Think gourmet recipes, fine china and linens - maybe grab a handfull of wildflowers for a centerpiece bouquet! A little candlelight is the perfect finishing touch. Any why not: we set you up just right! At Shakesperience Fest, you enjoy exceptionally convenient grounds with super-easy access to close parking, so the "lug" factor is minimal! And our European-style grounds are largely mosquito free - we even provide complimentary shade umbrellas while they last (or feel free to bring your own). See below for more info and ideas about "picnics with panache!"
4. REVEL! ALL THE WORLD's A STAGE! - -FEEL FREE TO DRESS THE PART! Upscale picnic attire or “themes” involving the show or the Rennaissance era is certainly not required- but is always happily encouraged at Shakesperience™ Fest. Floppy hats, seersucker or white bucks, anyone? Or oh heck - bring Men in Tights - and women in tight bodices! Stroll in with style!
• MORE ABOUT OUR FUN PICNIC TRADITIONS:: See FAQs and don't miss the premiere story on our picnics and recipe hints featured in dsm magaizine May-June 2010! Just click on the easy link on this page, top right!
5. PREPARE! Read our FAQs section (under our Site Menu) to cover all the bases. But especially: be prepared for Iowa weather - of ALL types! Until they run out, we have complimentary bug spray and complementary shade umbrellas -but bring your own to ensure availability. (Volunteers will lower all sun umbrellas as the sun sets just prior to the show) We do our part- we have distinct sections for those bringing blankets and chairs, to ensure you have a good view. But ensure your own comfort by bringing a dampness-proof ground liner for blankets, and if it looks sprinkle-ish, an umbrella - we continue during light drizzle. Also a light wrap or even a sweater. (Did we say sweaters in Iowa in July? Yep, because along the river it can get cool cool cool when the sun goes down!)
6. RELAX! Pre-show activites start at 7, but even if you arrive later, there is truly not a bad seat in this house.
7. RELAX PART TWO: WHAT RAIN? Even if it rains, you'll still have an amazing evening. If it rains, bring picnics, blankets and lawn chairs indoors to our stunning (and quite Shakespearean!) indoor site at the Secret Castle Ballroom - or other nifty indoor locations. See FAQs and Weather Page (in our Site Map) for more information. Our "Blue Weather Box" on THIS page always has the latest.
8. READ UP! Get thee to the Funnery! Whether you are new to Shakespeare or an old hand, there is always something new to learn that deepens your appreciation. Donate a "Buck for Bill" and pick up one of our incredibly informative Programs at the Festival Check-In table. Even better yet...before you come, take a peek at our "Understanding Shakespeare" section in our Site Menu - we make it really easy! Finally, be sure to check out the simply EXCELLENT "White Paper" reading in our "Scholarly Work" section of our Site Map under the subject of "Adaptations". We promise: you will find this highly engaging material truly myth-busting ... and genuinely fascinating!
9. VENTURE OUT! Check out our unique traveling shows - - which will lead you to other great Metro-area stages like (in 2011) the hidden jewel that is Carlisle's historic Randleman House. There, you'll find a secret Victorian treasure of a house in an ultra laid back "country-town" suburb - -where homespun, good old old fashioned Iowa values are in the air! The historic Randleman House is a beaut- and has a shady front lawn just begs for us to do a show on the outdoor "stage" that is its veranda! Or come up to upscale Ankeny and its gigantic stage at Wagner Park. Each traveling show has its own flavor and special events - check our Site Map under "About the Festival" on the pages that provide current festival detailed schedules. (Alcohol and vendor sales may be different at Traveling shows- check in advance.) By the way, these Traveling Shows which take place as part of the run of the Festival are full scale formal shows (- by contrast to shows on yet other area stages which take place PRIOR to the Festival's opening night, offering shortened "sneak preview" shws that we identify as "Shakespeare Shorts" offerings!)
11. PARTY! Come to a Festival Party and get to know us better! On site at the Mainstage or offsite at a Festival "Launch" location, our Young Professional Parties and our annual premiere VIP Salon Parties offer food, friendship, networking - - plus great VIP seating and other amenities. As Puck would say: "The King doth keep His Revels here tonight!" Check out more info on our detailed Festival Schedule pages on our Site Map, or sign up for our newsletter using the buttons to the right in the Sidebar. And before the Festival opens, be sure to jump on the chance to buy a ticket for one of our several off-site parties, such as our "Sunday Afternoon With Friends" series of Shakespeare scenes provided (along with gourmet treats) in some of our city's finest private homes. Our special event tickets sell out quickly- call 274 8989 to leave your name and address for our invitation mailing list.
12. HANG OUT! Release Thy Inner Bard! There's lots to take in at the Festival! Check out our Detailed Schedule Pages for our line up of special activities such as our pre-show Directors talks or post-show audience talk backs - sometimes we even offer a Sonnet Slam or two!
13. ART AFFAIR! At Shakesperience Fest, you can relish a taste of multiple artistic disciplines, not just theatre! Our shows always include a slice of sizzling dance thanks to our collaborations with Ballet Des Moines and other local dance schools. Our musical components and pre-show concerts are fast becoming legendary. And, be sure to peruse and patronize our large Art Market of up and coming local artists, coordinated by the Art Center's Jenny Henderson of The Jenny Store. Held in conjunction with our Young Professionals night (on July 23 in 2011), you are sure to find all sorts of treasures - all displayed in a truly beautiful setting. This year, catch bargains while supporting the Festival at our new Silent Auction. Again - it's ALL FREE!
14. GRAB MEMORIES! Let everyone know that when the Festival started, you were there! While they last, pick up one of our 4-color commissioned inaugural Festival posters on archival paper by nationally ranked Des Moines artist John Sayles! You'll help support the Festival while taking home a colorful slice of iconic Festival imagery - - along with a delicious dollop of Metro-centric Capital City (East Village!) flavor. This work specially commemorates the founding of the Festival - and when the run is gone, they're gone!
15. BE SOMEBODY! Do register at the Festival Check in Tables! What's in it for you? You'll get a free trial Membership, party invitations and our Newsletter plus a chance to win a drawing. What's in it for us? We'll get to throw your demographic data (We live for Zip Codes!) into our grant outcome reports (which really, really helps us!) Your specific personal info is always completely confidential, however. And after the show, provide us with feedback! Use Festival tear sheets, or drop a message into our suggestion box, or just use our handy on-line EASY Festival Feedback Form (bottom of Site Menu). Either way, your feedback is important, and will help us continually make this all-volunteer event even better!
(Oh, gosh - -did we breeze by 10 and we are at number 15 already? Oh well, we're Shakespearean - and rather fans of Sir John Falstaff, at that! Moderation ain't neccessarily a virtue!)
HOT TIP OF THE YEAR: FESTIVAL SEATING AREAS- Overhead entry greeting signs like this one, plus ushers and ground signs, will help you locate appropriate seating areas for Chairs, for Blanket Groundlings, or for parties that have a "mix" of these two very different types of seating! Blanket folks can't see if they end up behind Chair Dwellers. So following the signs ensures good viewing for all! Or, purcase tickets for a vareity of premiere seating sections (including private tents and "Box seat" cafe tables) at Midwestix.com.
BARD a PALOOZA:
The King Doth Keep His Revels Here Tonight!
A few Important ROYAL RULES
to have fun by:
» Reserved seating is for donors of $150 or more, or for special tickets that can be purchased via Midwestix.com.
» Down in front: Please keep children from wandering during the show... a theatre set has lots of moving parts and electronics, and it is not a safe place on which to wander. Pets must be leashed and if not a service animal, are allowed only in the plaza area- and not at all if barking.
» No smoking/Turn off Cell phones-electronics: During Shakesperience Fest, the park becomes a true theater and also a restaurant for picnics! No smoking within the grounds- not only is this a City Regulation, but also it can irritate the actors and musicians – AND your neighbors. Turning off cell phones is a standard courtesy, and keeping all other electronic devices dark and silent allows your neighbors to enjoy our special lighting and music.
» Sit pretty: Zounds! The early Bard catches the worm! Folding chairs are fine, and encouraged - as are blankets (bring an underlayer or liner for dampness.). ISE even has special Chair Sections and Special Blanket Sections (clearly marked) to foster a great experience and terrific sightlines for all! But if you’re a last-minute arrival please be considerate. Don’t plop in front of earlier birds without considering how you may be blocking their view, especially in front of birds on blankets!
» Courtly manners fit for Kings and Queens: The play begins at 8:15. That’s when conversation and roving about (and also obtrusive light -think electronics) should END. FINE to keep candles burning, tho - Will would have!
» CHILDREN: Courtly manners for Prince and Princesses: Children are VERY welcome at Shakesperience Fest and many, many children love live theatre starting at a very young age. Any child able to sit quietly and wonder at the magic of theeatre should attend- although parents should note that Shakespeare was sometimes a bawdy and bloodthirsty guy. (Our shows are generally PG or PG13.) But children can NOT wander or run or jump about during the show- that is too dangerous for them and too rude to the rest of the audience. When a child becomes restless or cannot keep from chattering, please be courteous to your neighbors and to the Actors- please immediately go up to the upper plaza or far rear areas for QUIET playing - remember voices carry in the Amphitheatre.
» Give back: Give we thy hands if we be friends! Applause and laughter feed the actors. Suggested donation of $5 or more per person feeds the entire festival. so it can get even better every year!
» Avoid the crush: There's really not a bod seat in the House at the Amphitheater. Still, some may wish to note that usually, our Mondays and Sunday shows have a bit more room to spread out.
Live and learn: Handy essays and plot summaries are found in our festival programs, which cost merely a “Bill”. ($1). Super stuff is also on our website about Shakespeare’s world, adaptations, and all that jazz.
OUR SALAD DAYS: Picnic, wine and vendor info
PICNIC WITH PANACHE: WE BRAKE FOR CANDLELABRAS!
YOU ARE MORE THAN WELCOME TO BRING YOUR OWN PICNICS AND WINE TO THE FESTIVAL MAINSTAGE! Yes, we mean wine too! - in fact, the City of Des Moines has worked closely with us to make this legally possible. That's because there is a long, terrific world-wide tradition of bringing picnics to Shakespeare Festivals! Particularly, gourmet picnics! Many people make sure that the picnics they bring to their Shakespeare night are THE picnic of summer- they bring friends, families and their gourmet best- perhaps a candelabra (votive candles work too!) or a vase of fresh-picked wild flowers or linen napkins - the works!
Also, many dress up for the evening- perhaps in theme dress matched to the show- - or Rennaissance gear (Men in Tights, why sure!) or other period fun. We call it "Picnic with Panache" - and we even have laid-back nighly "contests" with seating upgrade rewards - - - and a major area magazine article about this great tradition! (The magazine article has great picnic ideas and recipes... find it at the top of our Side Bar under ISE news - -and for more about panache picnics, also see our FAQs page) 
Our Mainstage grounds are quite convenient to adjacent parking-so when bringing a picnic basket spread, the "lug" factor is truly minimized here!
NOTE: Alcohol regulations may be different for traveling shows- check with the local community.
Bottom line: We are NOT a "Gotcha Festival" - one of the supposedly "free" events where food and beverage "gets ya" even if there is no ticket price. In fact, we are one of the rare "double free" festivals- you are completely welcome to "byo" everything (just not "hard" alchohol), making this one of THE most affordable treats of summer!
However, if you don't want to cook, we have a great line-up of premiere, exclusive European Vendors who will be offering rare treats perfectly suited to a special picnic:
Elite Vendors Returning to the Mainstage Grounds of Festival 2011 are: (Vendors at Traveling Shows may be different!)
Ames Brittish Foods: purveyor of rare gourmet treats from "across the pond" such as the following Festival 2011 treats: English Ploughman's light supper cold plates with salad, cheeses and the traditional Pork Pie, delectable Scottish Meat Pies with your choice of sauces/condiments, and yummy treat delicacies like scones and Devon clotted cream. A great selection of English teas (hot and iced) plus sodas rounds out their scrumptious offerings.
Chocolaterie Stams Gelato: returning as a real must have! Don't miss this icy-cold treat - way better than ice cream! Stams is found ONLY in Europe and Iowa! Huzzah!
Finally, our delightful Wine Garden will again be created by the great folks at Jasper Winery, with a great selection of wine-tasting choice plus bottles hand-selected for the Festival from the Wine Club, one of Des Moines's most prestigious wine groups.
DEPARTMENT OF ZOUNDS: Awards! Funding! Huzzah! Hooray!
LOOK UP! OUR MANY FUNDERS ARE OUR TRUE STARS! Keep in mind that our grant support, terrific tho it is, provides for only about 60% of our festival's needs. So individual donations are extremely important- we value your contribution and can provide full tax deduction receipts. Our grant funding shows how the professional experts value the Festival! So the ISE is already a proud winner of 7 Bravo Awards -and in only the first two years of our existence, we’ve thrice placed among the top ten arts projects across the entire state of Iowa - - funded by the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs AND the Iowa Arts Council! Be sure to thank these funders plus our special sponsor, the City of Des Moines, and also: the Scottish Rite Consistory, The Mickle Center AND the following extraordinary supporters who are all the TRUE stars of our shows.
GRANT FUNDS: The ISE is thrilled to announce that for this season, in stringent competition, we were the recipient of one of Iowa's very largest arts grants, the prestigious Iowa Community Cultural Grant Award. Also for season 2011, we received our inaugural Prairie Meadows grant – at a notably strong level of support. Additional thanks to special support from the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines. And as ever, we simply could NOT do this work without the deeply meaningful support of Bravo Greater Des Moines and The City of Des Moines. This level of Bravo and City leadership is absolutely foundational to our efforts.
CORPORATE SUPPORT! In terms of corporate support for Shakesperience Fest, 2011 is our “Kick off” year when the wider community is wrapping its arms around the Shakesperience Fest tradition in an increasingly broad way! Huge thanks to The Principal for their inaugural support, as well as to the following stellar area corporations, great community citizens all: Bankers Trust plus (in alpha sequence) Allied Nationwide, American Equity, Atlantic Coca Cola Bottling, AVIVA, Business Publications, Cityview/Big Green Media, Pioneer Hybred, Flynn Wright, The Graham Group, Iowa Health, Knapp Properties, Lint Van Lines, McGladrey Inc, Mercy Medical Center, Meredith, NCMIC Group, One Source Events, US Bank, and Willis Auto Campus!!!!
ANNOUNCING INAUGURAL SILVER SPONSOR! In addition to the great funders above, in a “Saving the Most Fun for Last” storyline, extra-special thanks go to our new Silver Festival Sponsors at Davis Brown Law Firm!! In a delightful surprise announcement by Suku Radia (to a huge burst of Bravo-laden applause at ISE’s April Stacy Keach event) community leaders learned that Davis Brown not only returns to support ISE in 2011, but steps up to the plate in a wonderful new way: as inaugural Silver Sponsors for the entire Festival! And what’s more, Davis Brown graciously honors ISE Founding Board Member Al Greffinius in doing so. Huzzah, Davis Brown! To Thee No Star Be Dark!
Be sure to thank ALL of these special supporters, as they are the “Light Through Which Yonder Window Breaks” in developing a free community festival tradition. Think about it: the community has a wonderful plethora of free concerts and arts fairs – but truly few places where we can access free professional theatre. Shakesperience Fest is one precious exception. Rumor hath it we may be the ONLYregular free theatre in the Metro surviving the Recession! And it is these leading corporate citizens, who, along with a wonderful group of private donors (with a special thanks to Dr. Bruce Hughes and Mr. Jim Collier), have been setting the banquet table that is Shakesperience Fest- a FREE cultural community banquet of theatre, music and dance- free for EVERYONE to enjoy!
ISE INSIDERS - ??? Did you know ???
Who's who and What's what
??? Did you know....DOUBLE DOUBLE TOIL AND TROUBLE - AN INSIDER'S INSIDER TRADITION! [PHOTO: Magic is everpresent: Here, John Zickefoose as Puck enchants the crowd!] This summer, when in The Regina Monologues a certain pair of famous witches from “The Scottish Play” create a magical incantation that “bubbles” indeed, you won’t catch experienced theatre Patrons uttering out loud the name of the play (begins with “M”!) that the witches come from. That’s due to a long-standing theatre tradition that trouble follows naming that show out loud - - a tradition which none other than Stacy Keach validated during his time with ISE leadedrs this April when he shared his own personal stories of the superstition’s power!
So, given that Regina is a mysterious play in its own right – with some intriguing twists and turns to its plot - - you’ll find that our suitably lush, moody and magical setting down by the River is kept as free of the “M-word” as possible! Join in the fun- use the code words “The Scottish Play” when you want to refer to the M moniker! Best said, of course, in your most heavily accented Scottish brogue!
??? Did you know...
REGINA MONLOGUES AND OTHER ISE SHOWS TO FORAY ONTO NATIONAL CIRCUIT! True to our mission to (borrowing a phrase from Bravo) bring “world-class” cultural events to the Metro, in-the-know ISE Patrons should keep an eye on The Regina Monologues ©- along with our 2009 “Much Ado-Wop About Something ©” and our 2010 “A Midsummer Night’s Dream Extravaganza! ©” All 3 of these original Lorenzo Sandoval adaptation works are set to be sent around the country to our colleague Shakespeare Festivals this year, with an eye to being produced at some of the largest national festivals in America!
??? Did you know...
SHAKESPERIENCE FEST IS CITY OF DES MOINES OFFICIAL SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL! In 2010, the City of Des Moines "adopted" the Iowa Shakesperience Festival as the Capital's official Shakespeare Festival, with terrific city sponsorship! And, the city was positively heroic in helping move us during the devastating 2010 flood, ensuring that the show would go on! Be sure to thank your elected leaders for their unflagging efforts to grow Des Moines in all ways!
??? Did you know???
SHAKESPEARE AND MARK TWAIN HAVE MANY INTERCONNECTIONS. One is England's Bard, one is America's Bard. Both are cited for having made major contributions to language. And as iconic authors, there are many similarites in their life stories. But also, Twain’s stories are dotted with Shakespeare – its fascinating to see.
??? Did you know? ??
ISE FOLLOWS IN EXCELLENT FOOTPRINTS! There are nearly 300 Shakespeare Festivals all across America alone- roughly 3-5 in each state! The vast majority of the Festivals (about 70%) also present other classic authors besides Shakespeare, too!
What’s with all the classics- and especially, what’s with all the Shakespeare? In noting that every summer countless Shakespeare Festivals across this country draw crowds by the thousands, cultural experts note that people turn to the classics especially during times of upheaval, for the classics frame issues and history with the light of retrospection, and thus help us better face the future. Moreover, Washington Post Blogger Michael Gerson (8/8/09) notes that while “Other playwrights use characters as mouthpieces for their own wit or philosophy…Shakespeare's greatest characters…possess the spark of their own identity.” They thus can “escape the cage of the author…” so “These fictional but living characters have influenced politics and history” ... and may help us make sense of politics and current history today. In fact, Gerson goes on to note that Shakespeare’s influence comes not from explaining history or the gods to us, but in explaining us to ourselves – be it with ridiculous humor or at the heights of human tragedy and pathos. “In a time deluged by ideology -- when everyone is urged to (grab) a side and join the political battle -- Shakespeare offers a different message: that the most important and dramatic choices are made (not by grabbing on, but by wrestling deep the the heart of) the human soul. Some steps, once taken, cannot be retraced. Some appetites, once freed, become a prison…” And so we flock to the parks, the riversides and the Festival grounds to “escape to what is most real.” Shakespeare and other classic authors are classic for all of these profound reasons!
??? Did you know....
THERE'S REALLY NO SUCH THING AS "REAL" SHAKESPEARE! We have NO "authentic" Shakespeare scripts in the entire world! In fact, to produce "Elizabethan style" Shakespeare really means simply that the story was originally told in contemporary terms- because Shakespeare produced many of his stories in dress and langage contemporary to the times. And, while theatres today could attempt to produce using the "original practice" approach that mimics what Shakespeare would have done, to do that authentically today poses problems. Because among other things required for replicating "original" Shakespeare (such as having no intermission, no lighting, and no edits to what were often 3-5 hour shows) they 'd have to have men playing all the women's parts- the kissing and sexual gestures and all.
Much is sometimes made of "authentic" Shakespeare. And certainly, the ISE frequently uses traditional "period" costumes and settings in of our shows, especially in our "best of Shakespeare" series (of which the 2011 Regina Monologues show is a part.). But the definition of "authentic" poses the many tough problems noted above - - and all too often, instead of authenticity, one can end up with merely a hackneyed and cliche approach to te Bard. At any rate, if by that term "authentic" one means producing Shakespeare "as Shakespeare wrote it", there is even a giant problem right from the get-go! Because ...did you know? Actually, Shakespeare himself did NOT really write the plays we publish today in his name.
What actually happened was this: Not only did Shakespeare himself first borrow liberally from other authors before him, but In fact, Shakespeare's actors had no scripts - -and almost certainly could not even read! Instead, shows likely changed each night. (Even today, the various versions of today's published works are not all the same- Different editors often approach different particulars differently! -but that's still more of the complex story!)
So the authentic truth of how Shakespeare's writings came about shows that the idea of "real" Shakespeare is really quite elusive. You see, over time (and in fact, after Shakespeare's own death) a major attempt to pull Shakespeare's fragmented pieces together ended up in a document called a "Folio" - containing scraps and written bits that were created from a variety of versions of the stories ---all written, edited and adjusted not by Will, but by friends and fellow actors and admirers who made arbitray decisions based on personal agendas --or at best, falliable memories.. Worse yet, the even-earlier versions of his work produced while Shakespeare was alive (the Quartos) are riddled with issues, and considered by scholars to be "extremely corrupt".
Given all this, and especially given that those who created the Folios can be presumed to have had many different agendas (perhaps even some jealousies), we need to take the notion of what "the Bard actually wrote" with one heck of an enormous grain of salt. 'Coupla teaspoons, in fact! Check out more about all this by going to our Site Menu, and clicking on the page about "Adaptations" in our White Papers section - you'll find lots of JUICY stuff there to peruse!
Also in our Adaptations section, you'll find much more discussion of the many, many MANY problems in trying to identify (much less produce!) "authentic" or "real" Shakespeare. Heck, even the idea of producing "traditional" Shakespeare poses great problems- for, just whose traditions do we follow? As we have seen, the traditions of Shakespeare's own time (with men playing all the female roles") often rock the world-view of ardent traditionalists- and traditions over history have been just as fickle. In fact, our Adaptation pages point out that a "Traditional" view is often merely a personal one - not neccessary shared at all across cultures or across time- much less all the way back to Shakespeare's own time.
That's because due to the power of theatre, traditions can CHANGE - sometimes rather rapidly, due often to the power of a great production which people then take on as "their" own tradition- regardless of how "Traditional" that flavor really was! For example, for nearly 100 years, it was considered A MUST that a FEMALE play Puck in the beloved play "A Midsummer Night's Dream". It was only thru the powerful Mickey Rooney production in our own relatively recent times that it became (suddenly) "traditional" for an elfin male to play the role- a male would have been unheard of and perhaps even scandalous a few generations earlier. Similarly, for decades upon decades, a maximalist approach to "Midsummer" required that sets be incredibly elaborate (down to live rabbits and butterflies flittering about) and that an entire company of ballet dancers portray the fairy kingdom. Following these "traditions" would fairly bankrupt many theatres today! But happily, traditionalist of another sort can point out that in Shakespeare's own time, sets were actually quite minimalist- an old "new" tradition that powerful minimalist productions revived to huge crticial acclaim in the 1960s. And so, the world continues to turn!
Even the "traditional" British accent poses problems- because today, if employing the accent, we tend to expect the equivalent of an "upper crust" accent whereas in Shakespeare's own time, he and his Actors were more likely to have had the equivalent of what in America would be a "southern" or even slightly "redneck" dialect. Heck, for that matter, relatively few plays of Shakespeare's were even set in Brittain- instead, plays were set in multiple countries from Italy to tropical islands!
In short, Dramaturges know that responses to any work usually say more about the responder than about the work, as the "traditional" views in these matters are often merely personal (and often under-educated) bias.
But to all of this, we here at Iowa Shakespeare merely say: "HUZZAH!" We know that the Bard IS the Bard partly because his work constantly allows new approaches to break forth- keeping the whole shebang (the plays AND the passionate discussions!) alive over the centuries precisely because Will almost always confounds expectations. Will resists being put in a box- we say: FREE Will - in more ways than just monetarily!
The bottom line is likely this: the world today (and indeed, the world dating back to Shakepeare's own time) mostly produces "dreams" or mythologized versions of deeply human stories (stories contributed to by many people in an evolving way) that we merely attribute to one "Will Shakespeare" - - a playwright who in many many ways, we don't even know. And, as opposed to European or Eastern versions of these plays, some American versions of Shakespearean productions can be particularly hidebound and hoary due to key language issues that aren't present in the productions of non-English speaking countries where Shakespeare is routinely translated into the vernacular --and thus has always be "updated". (Again, for some utterly fascinating discussion on all this, see our Adaptations White Paper and its section called "The Real Shakespearean Tragedy" by noted linguist John McWhorter, who points out how our fantasies of "preserving language" have led to unique American and English problems with Shakespeare that ironically, other countries simply are not burdened by. You'll find this material about halfway thru the White Paper.)
IN SUM: NOT ONE MANUSCRIPT WRITTEN BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE HAS EVER SURVIVED! Instead, what survives are enduring (classic!) and deeply human stories which have always depended on unique interpretations of actors and directors and adaptors to bring them continually alive in freshly insightful ways. And this, good friends, is the FUN of it! So - get thee to the Funnery! As ever, for more insights on this entire topic, see our Site Menu under our "Schoarly Work" section - especially our White Paper on Adaptations.
??? Did you know?
SHAKESPEARE WRITES CONTEMPORARY PLAYS! Authentic Shakespeare practice (meaning as Shakespeare himself likely staged shows) would have set shows in contemporary times! You see, Shakespeare was not staged in Elizabethan times because there was a virtue in being Elizabethan. - the "Elizabethan" plays were set in Elizabethan time because that WAS the contemporary timeframe of the productions! In fact, it is erroneous to think of Shakespeare's works as being particularly "English" or "Brittish" in their setting- more works were set away from Brittain (in locales ranging from France to Italy to Desert Islands) than in England or Scotland!
??? Did you know???
ROCK ON WILL! Authentic Shakespeare was in its day, much more like one of today's rock concerts that the staid performances often associated with a particular type of Shakespeare production somtimes touted today. Music and dance were routinely included in Shakespeare's own shows - - especially the bergamask tradition which the ISE always includes in our own staging. And there was (still is!) a LOT of extraordinarily baudy and/or outright slapstick material -- as well as a LOT of extraordinarily bloody gore in Shakespeare's stories - -to which the audience reacted uproariously. Audiences of Shakespeare's time often included royalty and nobles, but there was a huge common area for "the Groundlings" - a notably noisy and rauccous group of typically young people (often the Apprentice class), who stood through the entire show (and drank throughout) much like many stand at today's rock concerts. One notable difference between today's rock concerts and Globe theatre shows: today, modern productions have on-site toilets and garbage cans! Whereas Shakespeare's Globe Theater had none- and with plays averaging 3 or more hours with no intermission while a certain amount of imbibing was going on, we will leave imagining the AUTHENTIC atmosphere of Shakespeare's time to your imagination!
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IOWA SHAKESPEARE PARTNERS TO SERVE! Iowa Shakespeare works with the City of Des Moines to provide FREE Hearing Aid assistance to individuals who request it. It can be helpful to make your reservation for this in advance, and you will need to provide an acceptable photo id and a deposit. Also, ISE is very excited to be in the early stages of partnering to develop the state of Iowa's foray into providing audio transcriptions of special events designed for the blind! More on this exciting program soon!
??? Insiders: do you know these great folks?
WELCOME 2011 ISE BACK-OF-THE-HOUSE TEAM!
Front of the House is ONLY as good as our extraordinary off-stage team! This year the ISE sadly bids a fond farewell to ISE Founding Goddess Extraordinaire, Helen "My Helen" Van Dam, a stalwart guiding light behind the scenes for the past 4 seasons. We are only letting Helen off the hook for 2011 because she is in Russia – and actually, we know she will likely be running an entire country herself one day! Helen, we could NOT have made it through our inaugural years without you. You know you have a theatre home here whenever you return!
On the flip side, the ISE delightedly welcomes back Veteran “Lord of the Land” Jake Hines, who in his 10th Heinemann-Sandoval show is by now (along with the notorious Mr. A. Fogg) a real member of the family due to his uncompromising dedication to our super lighting, sound and special effects components. Who loves ya, Jake! Let the sprinklers be damned!
Welcome also to new Stage Manager Christy Dietsch, graduate of UNI’s famed theatre program and truly a Stage Manager Extraordinaire! Christy’s great stage strengths will be of enormous support to our continued growth, along with the multi-talented Steve Hickle who will be assuming many important behind-the-scenes roles. Talented theatre veteran (ie The Edinburgh Fringe Festival!) and MFA Candidate Torii Grabowski joins us in a number of functions as Lead Festival Associate. And a special welcome to ISE intern Anna Sundstrom, recent graduate of ISU’s theatre program – you have been a delight! And as usual, the ISE is grateful to have our Artistic Director Lorenzo Sandoval. MFA, at the creative helm, who among many other duties, will be directing both shows.
PHOTO 2009: The Bard never ceases to amaze: he can be just as outrageously, slapstick funny as he is poignant, romantic and deeply, unfathomably tragic! Here, in ISE's copyrighted "Much Adoo-Wop About Something", Jami Bassman and Eric Bench have quite a humorous moment in the famous "Suitors" scene from Merchant of Venice!
WILL OF THE PEOPLE: Quick "Quotes 'n Notes" from our Fans plus mini media reviews!
MEDIA COMMENTATORS:
Media Reporter Ryan Kolder, Modern American Television, a subsidiary of KRV Entertainment LLC.: July 18 2010: (for the KCCI TV Series On the Spot with Ryan Polder on our 2010 Show): “We were dazzled by not only the wonderful stage set up and costumes, but also the performances were out of this world! It was an awful lot of fun tonight- (The Iowa Shakespeare Experience) was amazing, amazing, amazing!”
Christine Riccelli, Editor, dsm Magazine: "Ever since the (2010) performance, I've been meaning to tell you about my daughter. Your show made a HUGE Shakespeare fan of my 9-year-old Ellie. After she saw the performance, she made clothes-pin figures of all the (Shakespeare) characters (your play had showcased). Then, along with doing a play where those figures played the roles from the show, she also wrote her own play that starred the characters. I didn't suggest or push this on her at all. She did it all on her own. She was totally enthralled with the performance; thank you for making Shakespeare a part of her life!"
From Morgan Halgren of Iowa Public Television, noted theatrical actress and popular songstress: "The evening was just beautiful and so fun - it was fun AND funny, loved the music! I was singing under my breath to all of the songs, it was really an enjoyable, enjoyable evening - and I also think (Lorenzo’s adaptations) are really really marketable. Other Festivals will want to produce (these shows!) Also, really no matter what anyone says, there is still a stigma about Shakespeare for many people, but when you mix it up a little bit like the ISE does, it makes it SO much more approachable, and when the actors really know what they're saying like yours did, it makes it SO fun. I was aware the show was an adaptation, but was hard pressed to say where the lines were exactly drawn…”
AUDIENCE COMMENTS:
Kathy MB of the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute says: “Bravo! I would not have thought possible that last night’s 2010 performance could have been anywhere near as wonderful as last year’s 2009 shows that I just loved, given the (Flood-related) change of venue and all, but I specially drove home early from a trip to Omaha for this anyway- - and I am happy to say I was wrong! Last night’s performance, entertainment, state setting, adaptation, actors, all of it was absolutely fabuloso. It was as good as last year and maybe even better. Please tell everyone how much we enjoyed it. Cannot wait to see what you have in store for us next year. Thank you for a wonderful evening. Will continue to spread the word through the Greater Des Moines Leadership network!”
Anna says: "As a 2010 ISU theatre graduate, I spent my first summer out of school seeking out theatre in Des Moines, and saw several area productions - virtually all of them. The ISE production stood head and shoulders above any other summer offerings - it was terrific! And, I especially appreciated the care the ISE takes for the audience's experience- unlike in some other venues, one could both hear AND see the Actors. I had a wonderful time!"
"T" says: "I am an experienced consumer of the arts- and I am speechless. This was incredible work- incredible acting, seamless play adaptation- and I went on Family Night, which was packed - the looks on the kids faces were priceless. It was magic. Astonishing too how many, many families happily stayed throught the entire show- we saw one Mom who apparently felt it was her child's bedtime, but the youngster was simply begging not to leave! Yet you certainly never once "dumbed anything down" for the kids. Your sophisticated and enlightening approach simply elevates the entire audience - adults AND youth - - into the work - it was just a great big wow!"
From an anonymous audience member: (On our first visit) “I wanted to go, but my husband said he hat(ed) Shakespeare and didn't want to come. I had to drag him- but he just loved it! What you do -interlaying songs into the play and also the other parts of the festival- is exactly the right approach! In fact, my husband loved it so much he said he already wanted to come back! I can't wait!"
From Jami McLamb: "My 7 yr old daughter came ... and dressed up a table with a candelabra and everything, and she said it was the coolest thing she'd ever been to!!! She slipped off her shoes and danced all through!! Absolutely loved the talent and what a great production!!!
QUOTES FROM STACY KEACH EVENT ATTENDEES: LN says: "The Stacy Keach event was just PERFECT!" JB wrote: "SO proud to be an ISE supporter - the Keach event was a real class act!" MC writes: "(The Keach event) effectively shifted the persona of The Shakespeare Experience from just one among a group of well-intentioned, struggling local theater companies to a posiitoin of a viable civic institution. You could feel it." And Golden Globe winner Stacy Keach says: "What the Iowa Shakespeare Experience is doing is great!"
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HORATIO'S HOMEPAGE CORNER ("more things heaven and earth"!)
HOW TO GET THEE TO THE FUNNERY: About our productions!It is part of the mission of The Iowa Shakespeare Experience to provide "All the Shakespeare You Remember: Told so freshly, you'll never forget!" In fact, if our shows were any fresher, you'd have to slap 'em! Because...here at the ISE, we really, really "Get It" - and we will help YOU "get it" too! Our shows will delight you, not mystify you. Because we're not just a Play ... we're an entire Experience!
BUT at the very same time we draw in Bard newcomers, we also offer fascinating insights and fresh perspectives for the aficionado! For our shows are not merely creative, and not merely "innovative" - (though certainly they are all of that!) but also they are classic, dramaturgically insightful- and truly world-class.
That's because the way Iowa Shakespeare approaches the Bard is much MUCH more traditional and scholarly than perhaps at first glance, one might think! After all, in Shakespeare's day, these plays featured Shakespeare's own contemporary music, were set in all manner of historical times and places, and used costuming (or not!) relective of many periods -including what were then not costumes at all, but instead clothing from the contemporary times.
Indeed, in Shakespeare's time, these plays were truly the cultural equivalent of our own culture's Rock Concerts! Audiences in Shakespeare's time enjoyed the outdoors -and did anything but sit stiffly and passively watch! Thus, our approach (one which really draws the audience into the story) really is quite "traditional"... while taking Metro-area Shakespeare to the fresh dramaturgical approaches seen on leading Shakespeare stages all around the world.
This topic is also discussed in our "Did you know" section above. So as also urged there, to get a head start on releasing thy personal inner Bard, or to better understand "traditional" and adaptative and historical Shakespeare, check out the topic of "Adaptations" in our ISE Scholarly "White Papers" section of this website - and also take a peek at our "Understanding Shakespeare" page while you're at it!
PRAIRIE MEADOWS FAMILY SHOWS - AN EDUCATIONAL PERSPECTIVE!
The ISE brings an incredibly value-added approach to our Educational programming. That's because we are fortunate to have on our staff award-winning Education professionals who are nationally ranked heavyweights in their fields. Our staff are either certified teachers ( formally licensed by the State of Iowa), or college teaching professionals. Further, they hold a variety of advanced certifications from national agencies and experience gained through teaching posiitions with such nationally renowned organizations as the Univeristy of Iowa Writers Workshop, Harvard University's Graduate School of Education, and even the US Department of Education. These professionals also are specifically certified in multi-cultural competancies, including working with at-risk and/or bi-lingual populations
With this type of leadership-level grounding in the general field of education as a footing, our staff are than additionally certificated Shakespeare teaching professionals - -with special training and credentials in teaching specifically Shakespeare gained with the Folger National Shakespeare Library in Washington DC. Further, our staff are bona fide experts in assesment and evaluation, inclusive of training in the YPQA (Youth Program Quality Assessment) approach. You can read much more about our staff's many credentials on the"Staff L eadership" page of our Site Menu's
"About ISE" section.
To futher ensure the quality of ISE teaching programs, the ISE Board contains many Masters and Doctoral professionals with wide expertise in fields such as English Literature or advanced education. Suffice it to say that we run notably accountable educational programming with tip-top professional oversight.
Why is this important? Research proves that without a teaching program and methodology that is well vetted and implemented with research-based best practice, even in the best intentioned programs the proven phenomenon known as "unintential outcomes" can create deblitating outcomes in youth simply due to teacher ignorance. Too often, the message youth end up receiving in unvetted programming can be an entirely different message than the one the teacher intended to send! Without special training, the more fragile and vulnerable the population, the more unpredictable and grievous this dynamic can become.
The ISE is keenly aware of the great responsibilites that are undertaken by anyone working with youth. We insist on the use of both research-validated AND Logic Model program practices, and have taken great care to break out our educational approaches in detail in various sections of our Site Menu.
The flip side of the phenomenon of unintended outcomes is that when and IF specifically theatre programming is implemented using sound, research-based best practice, of all arts interventions, it is specifically THEATRE which research shows to create THE strongest outcomes in youth. The phrase that describes youth taking a bow on a theatre stage -- - and coming up taller - - has an extraordinary amount of research truth and hard-data behind it!
If you'd like to get a TERRIFIC taste of how theatre changes youth lives, check out the EXCELLENT short film excerpt from the nation's oldest Teen Shakespeare project- part of a movie that will be competing at the Tribecca film festival this year! The film features alumnae of the program (Sally Field, Richard Dreyfuss, many others!) but more importantly, the clip shows real-life kids are the stars- - the clip catches real life kids in the process of learning and CHANGING from destructive behaviors via Shakespeare. Here in Iowa, ISE Artistic Director Lorenzo Sandoval is often a judge for our state-wide Iowa Theatre and Speech competitions, where the flavor and activities are remarkably similar to what you see in the clip. Don't miss a quick peek at www.shakespearehigh.org - The ISE is involved in the techniques used at this national model festival - and is involved in supporting their film festival campaign!
In sum, here at the ISE, we know that when a youth can put on his/r resume that s/he was in theatre, that is a very good thing. However, when that youth notes that s/he is specifically a SHAKESPEAREAN actor, the entire community - and in fact, that youth him/rself- - looks at that young person in a whole new way! The youth also looks at language a whole new way- and at reading and history and culture differently, too! We take our responsibilities with this process very very seriously, and we are delighted to have the great privlege of frequently working with so many of our community's youth!
GOOD WILL AND A DUCAT: Credits and "thanks, thanks and ever thanks!"
A free theatre Festival in any community is ALWAYS a community-wide effort. We can never thank our supporters enough.
So a special closing shout-out to our grant funders: The City of Des Moines, Bravo Greater Des Moines, the Greater Des Moines Community Foundation, the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, the Iowa Arts Council, and Prairie Meadows.
A special closing bow to our leading Corporate Supporters: Davis Brown Law Firm, The Principal Financial Group Foundation, Banker's Trust, and Mercy Hospital. Extra special thanks to the Des Moines Scottish Rite Consistory.
And a special closing round of applause to some of our key private donors who have supported us in so many ways: Mr. Jim Collier, Dr. Bruce Hughes, Mr. Suku Radia, Mr. John Taylor, Ms. Bobbie Mathes, Mr. David Hurd, Ms. Joan Burke, Ms. Liz Nelson, Mr. Chuck Fuller, Ms. Irma Hughes, Ms. Karrie Weinhardt, Ms. Kendra Daly, Mr. Stuant Alexander and Mr. Scott McDonald.
And potentially- thanks to YOU! Keep in mind that your donation would be very important to the ISE and to keeping both the festival AND our top-notch youth programming free! That's because grant support, which vitally important and a key indicator of quality, only covers about 60% of the costs of FREE Festival Theater or FREE Theatre Youth programs! Your donation COUNTS!
PHOTO 2010: "Blow Blow Thou Winds!" During the floods and windstorms of 2010, the City of Des Moines was absolutely heroic in helping us move the Festival to the adjacent high ground of the historic Locust Street bridge - where the Capital rises majestically to create another memorable Iowa Shakespeare Experience scene. Here, Executive Producer Robin Heinemann thanks our funders before a fast-growing early crowd, just as the City of Des Moines prepares to shut off "our" bridge to traffic!
"There is a tide in the affairs of men which taken at the Flood, leads on to fortune!"
William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar
Shakesperience Fest 2011
NO TICKETS REQUIRED!
Fridays- Mondays ...Last 2 weekends of July
Beautiful Simon Estes Riverside Amphitheater
(Or other premiere area stages)
TWO great FREE shows in Repertory!
PHOTO 2010: The Fairy Kingdom, Ballet Des Moines II Corps under the direction of choreographer Karina Barone; in "A Midsummer Night's Dream Extravaganza"
MINI PHOTO SCRAPBOOK
As our Volunteer-led organization works to update and upgrade our website more and more each year, watch for a full complement of Scrapbook pages - and yes, U-Tube video is coming soon as well!
Meanwhile, enjoy these delightful photos from Season's past- and as always, THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
2010: A Midsummer Night's Dream Extravaganza! Opening musical sequence from this acclaimed adaptation which told the famous story of magical young love through all 3 of the artistic disciplines the story has historically been most associated with: theatre, music AND dance. Set in the era of the Silver Screen, the tuxedoed and ball gown clad cast opens the show with a choreographed sequence of "Puttin on the Ritz!"
Don't forget our terrific traveling shows ...here, a 2010 "Sneak Preview" show of "Shakespeare Shorts" in one of the first shows held on the lovely new Colby Park stage (Windsor Heights.)
Video/ Audio Clip Scrapbook
Live Shots from A Midsummer Night's Dream Extravaganza for KCCI Television, courtesy of the "On the Spot" series of KRV Entertainments and Modern American Television:
Copy and paste the following link into your browser for some fun Video and Cast Interviews from Shakesperience 2010:
AT KCCI WEBSITE:
ulocal.kcci.com/_Iowa-Shakespeare...A.../set/.../62904.html
ON FACEBOOK:
Also take a listen: Great Audio and Radio show clips on Audio Side bar to the right!
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Heinemann-Sandoval Productions
Mini Scrapbook 2004-2008
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"SUCH STUFF AS DREAMS ARE MADE ON" The Tempest
The Iowa Shakespeare Experience:
Shakespeare like nobody else’s business – because it IS our business:
Shakespeare is our middle name!
Contact us at 515 274 8989 or Robin@IowaShakespeare.org
PHOTO: Inaugural Full Company, A Midsummer Night's Dream, July 2006
END NOTES
Lorenzo Sandoval and Robin Heinemann, Producers
PHOTO CREDITS THROUGHOUT THIS WEBSITE INCLUDE
Bill Gentsche and NorthStar Photography
Eric Bench
Paula Maxwell
Michael Rolands
Chris Maharry
with special thanks to Bill Nellans
Welcome to the Home Page of The Iowa Shakespeare Experience and our FREE Shakesperience Festival!
Come this December 15-18, by popular demand, we will reprise our acclaimed Holiday show at Terrace Hill, the Iowa Governor's Mansion. This show is an original work, based closely on the classic tale by Charles Dickens: “A Christmas Carol”. This great play was last seen in 2007 after a fantastic 3 year run - - -check out the photos (left and more below!) from our earlier run with John Busbee as Scrooge and Joel Hade as Crachit!. Yep- it sure IS one beautiful show!
