Camden Shakespeare Festival
Stephen Legawiec - Artistic Director
 
 
The festival performs in the Camden amphitheater
Previously there was a professional company who managed it.
 
Stephen's wife grew up in Friendship Maine – volunteered at Camden Shakespeare co in high school.  After that experience she decided to become a professional actress.
 
When they moved to Maine they reached out to the library about performances at the library – the library was thrilled to have them there.
 
2013 – did a production of As You Like It.  Set it in the 1960’s – it is important to make Shakespeare meaningful & alive.  There are so many barriers to understanding regular Shakespeare. 
 
2014 – MidSummers Nights Dream & MacBeth (In High Mountain Hall).
We do have a rain venue – at St. Thomas’ Episcopal church
 
2015 – Comedy of Errors – The Tempest – Costumes handmade – one of a kind for this performance.
 
This year – Romeo & Juliet & Much ado About Nothing
The goal is to cast from within Maine
 
The company is trying to raise their awareness here in the area.  Despite being active for three years – many folks haven’t seen us or know that these performances take place.  Very interested in having a base audience of the people who live here.  They perform quite a lot – 6 performances a week for 3 weeks.
 
They do not cancel shows due to rain – move them to the indoor venue. 
If anyone wants to be involved – there are many things that they need help with.
Out of town actors stay at local homes – need help with ushering or costumes.  Programs & advertising sales. 
 
The thing that he loves about theater is that it brings people together in a way that other types of entertainment do not.  It gives people an opportunity to experience something real & alive – vs being on devices.  It is their goal to make Shakespeare acceptable.  It is important to bring the community together. 
 
Q&A
Do you raise enough money or do you have to have fundraisers?
They do need donations. They want the organization to be an ongoing thing.  Right now they are subsisting through ticket sales and program advertising.  A regular theater does a 60/30 – 60% donated, 30% tickets – currently it’s 90% tickets.  In order to ensure longevity we will need contributions.
 
How many in the troop?
Each play approximately 20 actors
 
Schedule
Outdoor schedule based on when the amphitheater is not being used for a wedding.
Dates July 25 – Aug. 13.
 
How do you manage tickets ahead of time?
Discounted tickets at Zoot and online.  Tickets at the door are not discounted.
Camdenshakespeare.org
 
Mike Moore had a dream – Help build a water system in Tanzania.  His club in Naples North would spearhead the effort.  We got the approval and the money this week from Rotary International.  Partnering with Water Missions – they do water missions and sanitary missions across the world.  $119,000 grant – our own international committee provided the $2,500 seed money.  
 
Community Service
Habitat for Humanity Assistance – March 25
Hospitality House work forthcoming
 
eWaste+
April 22, 2017
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Ewaste, paper shredding, drug disposal, paint disposal
 
Songbook
Formed 10-12 years ago.
Needs to be updated
If there are people who want to be part of the update.
 
Wellness month
Can do this in a couple of different ways – meditation or movement.
Let Peter know if you're interested in this.
 
Charitable Foundation
Grant application deadline April 1
 
Hospitality House
Giving a little more meaning to a Presidents Project – something that might be longer lasting.  Largest issue there is the ongoing leak in the roof.  Create a collaborative project to have a long lasting impact.  They are bursting at the seams – need room to grow.  We want to be able to share this project with many organizations. 
 
Survey going out today
Please take a moment to complete this – helps us to get a baseline of feelings about programs.
https://survey.zohopublic.com/zs/wmB0eL