Optimist Theatre’s celebration of Shakespeare in the Park, this past January was a microcosm of the talent, support and sheer joy that is being brought to this project.

Many area artists gathered and strutted their substantial stuff for an appreciative audience.  Laughter, great music and an enticing Tempest preview (accompanied by a killer gourmet popcorn bar) made for a great evening.

Enjoy this show snippet and we hope to see you at The Tempest this June on the beautiful Alverno College campus.

(Aren’t Ken and David – aka Stephano and Trinculo — just the cutest?  More pix of these 2 coming soon…)

In Ars Veritas,

Susan Scot Fry

Matt Konkel just posted a wonderful article about Optimist Theatre, Shakespeare in the Park and the Brave New World fundraiser.

There’s a link here.

Hope to see you all there on Saturday!

Susan

“I need another person to work coats.”

That was the thought in my head this morning when I woke up.  No deep meaningful epiphanies.  Just business.

To make Shakespeare in the Park actually happen, we need a whole lot of people to come to the fundraiser on the 30th, so we’re optimistically prepping for the best possible scenario.

We’ve got about 30 dedicated, brilliant and highly attractive volunteers on board who’s jobs will be to ensure that everything goes smoothly and everyone has a great time.  Everyone’s got an assignment or two.  We’re beefed up at potential bottlenecks, with back-ups just in case — so shifting someone to coats is no big deal.

Now, how do we fill the hall with enough party-goers to keep these volunteers busy?  That’s the challenge!  How can we help people who understand the importance of free Shakespeare in the Park for Milwaukee turn the corner from fans to patrons of the arts?  Two words…

Personal Invitation

(now, for some more words…)  One-on-one personal invitations.  It takes getting people talking.  Get the words out into the air.  Transform a thought or idea into reality by giving it life.  Give it life by saying it out loud to another person.  Tell another human being that you care about something.

It’s Magic.

The most significant thing I can do today is ask people to talk about Shakespeare in the Park and the Brave New World fundraiser.  Please tell your friends and family about it.  Tell them that there’s a party on January 30th.  Send them to the Optimist Theatre website for details.  Make it even easier and email them the Optimist Theatre webpage http://optimisttheatre.org/support.

Let’s see how we do today.

Significantly,

Susan Scot Fry

There’s this lovely website called “No Fear Shakespeare”.  I started reading their side-by-side (Shakespeare’s text and a modern translation) text for The Tempest and found it to be non-simplistically, brain-candy enjoyable.

I say Hey!  Take the Fear out of Shakespeare!  Free Shakespeare for Everyone!  And if this helps, I also say AMEN!

Check out The Tempest at http://nfs.sparknotes.com/tempest/.

What a Brave New World.

Optimistically,

Susan Scot Fry

Catch The Jeanna Salzer Trio live this evening on Milwaukee radio station 88.9.

Jeanna has a rich, soulful style which won her recognition as the Best Acoustic Musician and the Best Vocalist – Female in the Shepherd Express “Best of Milwaukee 2009″ issue.

AND, she’s a headliner at the Brave New World fundraiser on January 30th.

Enjoy!

Optimist Theatre is excited to welcome Ms. Angela Iannone to the cast of the Tempest in the role of Ariel.  Sparks are already starting to fly between Angela and Jim Pickering, as Prospero.  Like a moth to the flame – I know if I get too close, I’ll ignite.  But, what a way to go!

Shameless Plug Time…

The addition of Milwaukee theatre royalty like Angela to the cast is inspiring in so many ways.  I’m even more driven to make the dream real, and that takes your financial support.  I invite you to help us move beyond the thrill of dreaming and brainstorming to reality. Join us at the fundraiser on January 30th and become part of …

Such stuff as dreams are made on

The Tempest Act 4, scene 1

In Ars Veritas,

Susan Scot Fry

Grateful Managing Director

Optimist Theatre

I posted today in another blog called “A Year of Significance” that my goal for January 4, 2010 is to find our leaders — specifically for the upcoming Brave New World fundraiser.  Yes, that’s pretty ambitious, but I’ve already begun and have faith that it will happen.  Yes, it will take me more than just today to do. Yes, it’s worth the effort.

So many of the Optimist Theatre goals — for both the company AND Shakespeare in the Park — focus on community involvement.  Our work is a collaborative effort.  It’s not the only way to go about these things, but it is the approach we prefer.  Utopian?  Why not?

We have a unique blend of optimism, faith in people and practical experience to draw from.  It’s the approach that worked successfully when Ron and I ran entertainment for the Bristol Renaissance Faire and for the couple of years at the Renaissance Pleasure Faire.  Let’s see how this works for Shakespeare in the Park.

Hopes are high.

Optimistically,

Susan Scot Fry

Today I am determined to find at least 1,000 more people to invite to our Brave New World fundraiser.  It’s do-able.  Milwaukee has over half a million people in residence.  Surely, I can suss them out.

A key parameter is No Spam.  There are plenty of people who love Milwaukee, love Shakespeare, love festivals, love theatre, love…. you get the picture.  The key is to find them and let them know about this wonderful thing that’s happening.  I’m spending quite a chunk of time wading through Yahoo E-Groups today and that’s looking good!

So, if you’ve got any ideas or leads on special interest groups who would appreciate hearing about free Shakespeare in the Park and how to turn the dream into reality, wave and shout.  I’ll come running!

In Ars Veritas,

Susan Scot Fry

SSFry@OptimistTheatre.org