June 15 2020

June Newsletter

Matching Appeal • Company Stories • Camp Will Goes Virtual • New Sign!

Our $25,000 Spring Matching Appeal is Near Its Goal!

“I can no other answer make but thanks, and thanks, and ever thanks.”

– William Shakespeare

Shakespeare may not have coined the phrase, “Timing is everything,” but we’re betting he thought it a time or two.

In early March, when two longtime supporters offered to fund a $25,000 match for our spring appeal, it seemed like a perfect beginning to all the exciting things we had planned for our 25th anniversary season. Little did we know how crucial this matching appeal was about to become. Between the time the announcement was ready to go and the time it appeared in your mailboxes and inboxes, the outlook for Door Shakespeare — and all of us — had shifted dramatically and rapidly, eventually resulting in the cancellation of our summer season. The loss of anticipated revenue was sobering, and the loss of reuniting with our actors, interns, audience members and volunteers … heartbreaking.

But as another saying goes: “Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit.” No, Shakespeare didn’t write that one either. Wilma Rudolph did, and we’re sure the Bard would concur. Because though there is unrest in our world … though your lives and livelihoods have undoubtedly been impacted by COVID-19 … your generous donations to our appeal now stand at $22,000, almost 90% of our goal.

Our $25,000 matching appeal will close on June 20th, the last day of spring. If your circumstances are such that you can make a donation, your gift will have double the impact and go twice as far in supporting Door Shakespeare while we wait to gather in the Garden again.

Till then … “thanks, and thanks, and ever thanks.”

Sincerely,

Michael Stebbins

Producing Artistic Director

Amy Ensign

Managing Director

25 Years of stories: click on the images below to listen.

Bill Theisen as Dogberry in 2010’s Much Ado About Nothing, directed by Jerry Gomes.

Latora Lezotte and Kim Instenes working in the costume shop, on 2019’s Henry V, directed by Matt Daniels.

Jarrod Langwinski as Dr. Caius in 2019’s The Merry Wives of Windsor, directed by Marcella Kearns.

Tune in next month for more stories!

CARES ACT Creates Charitable Giving Incentives

Section 2204 & Section 2205 of the CARES Act

Section 2204 of the CARES Act includes a new above-the-line deduction (universal or non-itemized deduction that applies to all taxpayers) for total charitable contributions of up to $300. The incentive applies to contributions made in 2020 and would be claimed on tax forms next year.

Section 2205 of the CARES Act lifts the existing cap on annual contributions for those who itemize, raising it from 60 percent of adjusted gross income to 100 percent. For corporations, the legislation raises the annual limit from 10 percent to 25 percent.

Camp Will Going Forward With Virtual Platform

Camp Will is a weeklong workshop dedicated to the development of communication skills, language, and group social skills through the process of creative play and group scene work. Our goal is to nurture a young person’s ability to voice their opinions, communicate their thoughts, and ultimately, discover their creativity through ensemble work and the poetry of Shakespeare.

Camp Will culminates with students sharing their work in a “Green Share” performance of scenes and monologues directed by professional actors. Scenes are filmed and edited in order to be shared on the Saturday following the end of each session.

Camp Will is for students who are 9 through 17 years old.

All sessions are held online through Zoom video conferencing. Camp Will campers will need access to a computer or tablet with a camera, and the internet.

There are three sessions to choose from: July 13–17, July 27–31, and/or August 10–14.

Camp Will meets from 10:00 am – 12:30 pm Monday through Friday with additional rehearsal time on Tuesday through Friday from either 9 am to 10 am or 11:30 am to 12:30 pm.

Tuition is $125 for the first student in the family and $100 for each additional student in the same family. Tuition discount also available for campers registering for multiple sessions.

There are three ways to register:

Use the online link.
Mail in your registration form with tuition to PO Box 351, Baileys Harbor WI 54202.
Call 920.854.7111 and leave a message. We will return your call from our home offices.

New for 2020:

Clown Work

Juggling

Puppetry

Commercial and Film Technique

Meet famous friends during break time Q & A sessions!

Camp Will Talent Show: Share your work from plays and musicals, solo and ensemble work, recitals and other performance opportunities that didn’t have an audience this spring.

The week before your session starts, you will receive a Camp Will Kit with tools for your session including support materials, props, and your Door Shakespeare t-shirt.

The weekend before your session, join an optional orientation where you will meet your teaching artists, and get familiar with the virtual platform.

Meet the Camp Will Teaching Artists

Elyse Edelman Scott McKenna Campbell Jarrod Langwinski Selma Rivera

Camp Will Director Teaching Artist Teaching Artist Teaching Aprentice

New Sign at the Door Shakespeare Office!

If you happen to pass by our office just north of Baileys Harbor on Highway 57, keep a look out for the new Door Shakespeare sign!

The hand painted sign was made by Sister Bay’s Hartman Signs & Art Gal, Carol Hartman. Highlighting our new phone number: 920.854.7111 and address: 10083 WI 57, Sister Bay, WI 54202, the sign directs you to our administrative offices.

Board chair, Carl Zapffe spearheaded the project, from design choice to paint color and donated the funds for the purchase. Thank you, Carl!