“Quite a well-kept garden this is!”

—Gwendolen to Cecily in The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde

Elizabeth Reese* is Gwendolen in Door Shakespeare’s The Importance of Being Earnest. Photo by Heidi Hodges.

Upcoming Events

Wednesday: Will in the Woods

Prior to the evening’s performance – Free Event!

Gather with friends, family, and theater patrons prior to the show for a lively and interactive discussion. “Will in the Woods” is designed to bring us closer to the theatrical traditions and themes of the season, offering new ways to engage with the stories on stage. This week’s conversation offers a chance to pause, reflect, and consider how we make space for creativity in our everyday lives.

Wednesday, August 12 | 6:00–7:00 p.m.

Creative Practices: Shakespeare, Wilde, and You

Every creative journey begins with a practice. William Shakespeare and Oscar Wilde each cultivated habits that nourished their imaginations, from commonplace books to everyday observations, and artists continue to do the same today. In this interactive conversation, we’ll explore the creative routines of these celebrated playwrights, share our own sources of inspiration, and leave with new ideas for keeping our creative wells full.

We hope you can join us from 6:00 to 7:00 for “Will in the Woods”. Please RSVP for this free event by calling 920.854.7111 or emailing info@doorshakespeare.com.

Thursday: Wine Night*

Enjoy a preshow picnic in the Door Shakespeare Garden with wine and craft soda selection. Your meal is prepared by Door County’s own Thyme Market and Catering. Take in the beautiful scenery of the Garden, mingle with patrons, and enjoy delicious desserts and coffee during intermission. Picnic guests are also privy to preshow preparation.

Thursday, August 13, 2026, prior to the performance of The Importance of Being Earnest

• Homestyle Meatloaf
• Mashed Potatoes
• Green Beans
• Blueberry tartlets

Dietary restrictions happily accommodated by calling 920.854.7111.

To sign up, first determine which wine night you would like to attend. Then get your tickets by clicking on the date here, choosing your seat, and then clicking on “Wine Night” in the “Select Ticket Type” drop down menu. We welcome phone registrations as well: 920.854.7111.

Wine Night schedule and menus for the season may be found here.

*Special thanks to our guest sponsors: Dave and Sharon Saunders.

Buy Tickets Online or Call 920.854.7111

Shake It Up Saturday

Join Door Shakespeare on August 15 for Shake It Up Saturday, a free, family-friendly pre-show experience that introduces theatergoers to the world of The Importance of Being Earnest.

Beginning at 3:30 p.m., families meet near the box office before heading down to the lakeshore for an hour of theater games, playful activities, and storytelling. Together, we’ll explore the characters, plot, and delightful world of Oscar Wilde’s comedy while helping young audience members feel prepared and excited for the evening’s performance.

Created for families with children, Shake It Up Saturday is a fun way to get the wiggles out, spark curiosity, and create a deeper connection to the magic of live theater.

Shake it Up Saturday is free and open to the public. However, registration is required to confirm the schedule and prepare for your visit. Please call 920.854.7111 or email info@doorshakespeare.com to register.

Door Shakespeare’s Annual Gala

A Night To Remember!

On Sunday, August 9, Door Shakespeare board members, company members, and volunteers flooded the beautiful Kress Pavilion in Egg Harbor to transform it for an unforgettable evening. Board Chair, Eric Ohlrogge, set the company on a mission to create Cecily’s country garden in Door County. With elegant sage greenery and vibrant pink roses, the pavilion came alive, making the perfect backdrop for the event of the season.

Guests arrived promptly for cocktail hour, mingling joyfully with other theater lovers and battling fearlessly over the silent auction items. While the object of everyone’s eye for the evening was a hand-painted Door County-themed lazy susan, community members gathered for a night of celebration and a toast to Door Shakespeare’s 31st season under the stars.

Eric’s welcome speech reminded us of everything we have been able to accomplish with the help of our incredible sponsors, donors, and patrons. Door Shakespeare proudly serves the Door County community and beyond in helping the Bard’s stories and other classic works connect and inspire us. And our work and success is a testament to those who uplift and support us in our endeavors.

After a delicious meal from Thyme Catering, we announced the winners of the silent auction, then readied for dessert and live entertainment. Company members sang, played music, read poetry, and fought in stage combat demonstrations. Guests were treated to scenes and a game from our young artists in Camp Will, Door Shakespeare’s youth theater camp.

We saw Door Shakespeare actors, designers, campers, teaching artists, and administrative staff in their creative elements. We laughed, we cheered, raised our glasses, and held our loved ones a little tighter.

Throughout the entertainment, Artistic Director, Amy Ensign, wove stories into every fundraising initiative. She shared tales about Door Shakespeare’s operations; how we limit the bugs, how we set up for an evening’s performance, how we plan for the costs of a summer under the maple. Bidding paddles flew as guests listened to these stories and found resonance with them.

Onward!

We planned out eight initiatives to raise money for the season, and through the generosity and support of our guests, we funded every single one.

And while we cannot overstate our gratitude for the financial support we receive, we all contribute in our own ways. Some pledged $1,000 and some $1. Patrons offered their guest houses for a month for a designer or director to live in. More bidding paddles rose for the opportunity to volunteer at an evening’s performance.

At the end of the evening, everyone pledged to be a friend to Door Shakespeare, to tell their friends about the importance work we do, about the stories we tell. As company carpenter, Ed DiMaio, reminded us with his poetry, friends can be found everywhere. Door Shakespeare is elated to have spent such a beautiful evening with our friends. We hope to enjoy more magical nights with you, this season and every season.

Didn’t make it to the gala? Donate Here

*Appearing through an agreement between Door Shakespeare and Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.

Thank you to our season sponsors:

Steve and Jackie Kane, Dr. Eric Ohlrogge, and the following organizations.