2024 WI Shakespeare Festival Brochure

Wisconsin Shakespeare Festival season 2 | 2024

Introduction

Pablo Center at the Confluence is excited to present a second season of the Wisconsin Shakespeare Festival! The festival features an exquisite blend of artistic and educational endeavors, including mainstage productions, a new works series, a young performers troupe, various workshop classes and discussions open to the public, and more. The Wisconsin Shakespeare Festival provides inspiration and opportunities for theatre professionals and the greater Chippewa Valley. Through our priorities of artistic development and community outreach, we strive to share knowledge and create together.

OUR MISSION

The Wisconsin Shakespeare Festival believes in the power of words and the stories they tell. Our exuberant celebration of brilliant theatre seeks to ignite a spark to empower and inspire artists, as well as enlighten and connect audiences and the community.

OUR VISION

Our focus is on building community - we will accomplish this through continuously adding impactful community partnerships, growing our educational programming, and expanding our programming repertoire. We are proud to continue to develop our initiatives and organizational structure in response to the needs of our community and its artists.

WHY WILLIAM?

We focus on the essence of Shakespeare’s artwork, questioning norms regarding love, power, and possibility. As one of the most-produced playwrights of all time, Shakespeare’s works continue to be relevant through his use of language and wordplay. We invite you to join us in rediscovering his works in a new light.

Mainstage Season: July 5-28, 2024

The Wisconsin Shakespeare Festival is proud to kick off our second season with not one, not two, but THREE mainstage productions! Tickets are available through the Pablo Center box office, or online at pablocenter.org.

Romeo & Juliet, directed by Kathleen Barth

An age-old vendetta between two powerful families erupts into bloodshed. A group of masked Montagues risk further conflict by gatecrashing a Capulet party. A young lovesick Romeo Montague falls instantly in love with Juliet Capulet, who is due to marry her father’s choice, Paris. With the help of Juliet’s nurse, the women arrange for the couple to marry the next day, but not all goes as planned TL; DR (contains spoilers): The classic story of boy meets girl; girl’s family hates boy’s family; boy’s family hates girl’s family; boy kills girl’s cousin; boy and girl kill themselves.

• Performing at 1:30 PM on July 14 & July 20

• Performing at 7:30 PM on July 12, July 13, July 21, July 26, and July 28

Twelfth Night, directed by Arthur Grothe Viola, separated from her twin Sebastian, dresses as a boy and works for the Duke Orsino, whom she falls in love with. Orsino is in love with the Countess Olivia, and sends Viola to court her for him, but Olivia falls for Viola instead. Sebastian arrives, causing a flood of mistaken identity.

TL;DR: Viola thinks her brother is dead. He thinks that she is dead. Everyone thinks that she is her brother. Everyone thinks that her brother is her. Shenanigans ensue.

• Performing at 1:30 PM on July 7, July 13, and July 21

• Performing at 7:30PM on July 5, July 6, July 14, and July 27

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] [again], directed by Larisse Campbell

An irreverent, fast-paced romp through the Bard’s plays, this show features a small cast of madcap actors who weave their wicked way through all of Shakespeare’s Comedies, Histories and Tragedies in one wild ride that will leave you breathless and helpless with laughter - in only about 90 minutes! Fast paced, witty, and physical, it’s full of joy for Shakespeare lovers and haters alike.

• Performing at 1:30 PM on July 27 and July 28

• Performing at 7:30 PM on July 19 and July 20

The Wisconsin Shakespeare Festival is supported in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts

Improbable Fiction: July 24, 2024

In theatre, a “new work” is an original play that has been previously unpublished and unproducedthese plays are typically developed by an artistic team including actors, a director, a dramaturg, and, of course, the playwright to work toward the goal of a finished, polished product for audiences to enjoy. Wisconsin Shakespeare Festival’s mission ties strongly to the power of the written word and individual perspectives, which led to the creation of the Improbable Fiction series; for us, it is much more about celebrating the craft than the man.

Our new works series allows writers and artists from across the region and the country to showcase their talents in the form of original theatrical works. This year, we are thrilled to present three worldpremiere works as part of this series:

• “Filthy Animals” by Anthony Roytman

• “Female Nude Seated” by Carolyn Gage

• “The Secret Muse” by Mark Evan Chimsky

We will present the world premiere performance of all three one-act plays on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at 7:30 PM in the Jamf Theatre at Pablo Center. Tickets cost $9 for adults and $3 for youth and students, plus fees, and are available online, in-person at the Pablo box office, or at the door. Following the performance, the audience will be invited to a reception to discuss the works they just viewed, facilitated by our dramaturg.

This program is sponsored in part by the Mahmoud S Taman Foundation and the Thomas & Jill Barland fund of the Eau Claire Community Foundation.

Merely Players

This troupe of young performers (ages 15-22) explore avenues of bringing Shakespeare-inspired art to the Chippewa Valley while also gaining valuable experience and professional mentorship. The troupe is facilitated by one or more “artist-mentors,” who work alongside the young performers and guide them in their self-directed summer experience.

Public performance schedule:

• Tuesday, July 2, 10:30 AM - Children’s Museum of Eau Claire

• Wednesday, July 3, 10:00 AM - Eau Claire Farmer’s Market (Phoenix Park)

• Saturday, July 6, 11:00 AM - Haymarket Plaza

• Wednesday, July 10, 10:00 AM - Menomonie Public Library

• Thursday, July 11, 2:15 & 4:15PM -Northern Wisconsin State Fair WEAU News Front Porch Stage

• Friday, July 12, 10:30 AM - Altoona Public Library

• Saturday, July 13, 11:00 AM - Haymarket Plaza

• Tuesday, July 16, 10:30 AM - Fall Creek Public Library

• Wednesday, July 17, 10:00 AM - Strum Public Library

• Saturday, July 20, 11:00 AM - Haymarket Plaza

• Thursday, July 25, 11:00 AM - L.E. Phillips Senior Center

• Friday, July 26, 11:00 AM - Colfax Public Library

Performance schedule subject to change.

This program is sponsored in part by the Pablo Foundation and Community Foundation of Dunn County.

Arts & Ideas Series

Know Before You Go

KBYG: Twelfth Night - Saturday, July 6, 10:00 AM, Haymarket Plaza

KBYG: Romeo & Juliet - Saturday, July 13, 10:00 AM, Haymarket Plaza

While anyone is welcome, these discussions about the plots of our two Shakespeare-written mainstage shows are framed specifically for audiences who may feel uncomfortable with or intimidated by Shakespeare. Our speaker will discuss the major plot points, themes, characters, and messages of the play in an accessible manner.

WSF Craft Talks

Get a peek behind the curtain! Join us on select Sunday mornings at local area coffeeshops for informal chats with various folks whose creative spirits drive the action behind WSF. Hear from the artists who directed the shows; designed technical elements such as costumes, lighting, sound, and projections; workshopped our new works series; and even our traveling young artists’ troupe. All WSF Craft Talks are free and open to the public - though we encourage you to bring some questions and get yourself a delicious cup of joe!

• Mainstage directors - Sunday, June 30, 10:00 AM - Shift

• Mainstage designers - Sunday, July 7, 10:00 AM - The Goat

• Merely Players - Sunday, July 14, 10:00 AM - Coffee Grounds

• Improbable Fiction new works team - Sunday, July 21, 10:00 AM - Kahvi

Post-Performance Cast Talkbacks

Join us after select performances for a free talkback Q&A session with the casts of the shows! All audience members are invited and welcome to stay for this casual meet & greet opportunity. All events will take place in the Jamf Theatre.

• Twelfth Night - Sunday, July 7, following the 1:30 PM performance

• Romeo & Juliet - Saturday, July 20, following the 1:30 PM performance

• The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] [again] - Saturday, July 27, following the 1:30 PM performance

Shakespeare said WHAT?

Saturday, July 20, 10:00 AM, Haymarket Plaza

This presentation discusses the irreverence of Shakespeare prior to our mainstage show, the (also irreverent) play “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] [again].” Shakespeare’s plays are often thought of as pretentious or incomprehensible - this discussion aims to deconstruct that notion and equip audiences with the skills to understand - and to enjoy! - them.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

June

Shakespeare in the Park…with Yoga! @ River

June/July

July

Makers’ Market in the Jamf Globe @ Jamf Theatre , 12-5pm

Poetry Open Mic Night @ Acoustic Cafe, 6pm

WSF Craft Talk @ Shift, 10am

Arts & Ideas: The Hollow Crown @ L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library, 6pm Shakespeare Night @ the Eau Claire Express, 6:35pm

We [heart] Art @ Paint Shack, 6pm

Public Performance @ Haymarket Plaza, 11am

Know Before You Go, Twelfth Night @ Haymarket Plaza, 10am Twelfth Night, 7:30pm

WSF Craft Talk @ the Goat, 10am

Twelfth Night, 1:30pm, Post-Performance Cast Talkback following

Public Performance @ EC Children’s Museum, 10:30am

@

8pm

UWEC Summer Cinema: West Side Story @ Campus Mall, 9pm. ARTMobile activities at 8pm

Much Ado About Improv, @ Oh Claire Improv, 7:30pm

Night of Revels Fundraiser @ Jamf Theatre, 6pm

Merely Players @ the Eau Claire Farmers’ Market, 10am

Merely Players @ the Menomonie Public Library, 10am

Twelfth Night, 7:30pm

Merely Players @ Northern Wisconsin State Fair, 2:15pm & 4:15pm Merely Players @ Altoona Public Library, 10:30am

Romeo & Juliet, 7:30pm

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

JULY

Know Before You Go, Romeo & Juliet @ Haymarket Plaza, 10am

Merely Players, 11am @ Haymarket Plaza

Twelfth Night, 1:30pm

Romeo & Juliet, 7:30pm

WSF Craft Talk @ Coffee Grounds, 10am

Romeo & Juliet, 1:30pm

Twelfth Night, 7:30pm

JULY

Shakespeare said WHAT? @ Haymarket 10am

Merely Players @ Haymarket Plaza, 11am

Romeo & Juliet, 1:30pm, Post-Performance Cast Talkback following

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] [again], 7:30pm

Chippewa Valley Theatre Industry Night @ Pablo Center, 9-10:30pm

WSF Craft Talk @ Kahvi, 10am

Twelfth Night, 1:30pm

Romeo & Juliet, 7:30pm

July

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] [again], 1:30pm, PostPerformance Cast Talkback following

Twelfth Night, 7:30pm

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] [again], 1:30pm

Merely Players @ Fall Creek Library, 10:30am

Romeo & Juliet, 7:30pm

Mainstage productions are performed at the Pablo Center. Tickets are available through the Pablo Center box office, or online at pablocenter.org.

WSF Farewell: ‘Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow’ Ice Cream Party @ Pablo, 3-7pm A Midsummer Night’s Fun Run @ Haymarket Plaza, 6pm

Merely Players @ Strum Public Library, 10am

Improbable Fiction @ Jamf, 7:30pm

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] [again], 7:30pm

Merely Players @ L.E. Phillips Senior Center, 11am

Merely Players @ Colfax Public Library, 11am

Romeo & Juliet, 7:30pm

Education

In partnership with area school districts, the Wisconsin Shakespeare Festival is excited to offer a slate of classes for students entering grades 3-12 in the Fall of 2024. These weeklong programs will allow students to explore topics such as acting, improv, playwriting, poetry and wordplay, and more, and are FREE of charge to students living within Eau Claire Area School District, Altoona School District, and Chippewa Falls Unified Area Schools, boundaries. Registration opens Saturday, March 2 and classes will fill quickly, so sign up soon!

Classes Offered Summer 2024:

Entering Grades 3-5:

• June 24-28, 1:00-3:30 PM - Shakespeare? Never Fear!

• July 8-12, 1:00-3:30 PM - Arty Party

• July 22-26, 9:00-11:30 AM - Fractured Fairy Tales

Entering Grades 5-8:

• June 10-14, 1:00-3:30 PM - Improv & Scenes

• June 17-21, 1;00-3:30 PM - POP Shakespeare

• July 8-12, 9:00-11:30 AM - Drama Club

• July 15-19, 9:00-11:30 AM - WordPlay

Entering Grades 7-12:

• June 10-14, 9:00-11:30 AM - Groundlings: A Merely Players Pre-Program Workshop

• July 15-19, 1:00-3:30 PM - Playwriting

• July 22-26, 1:00-3:30 PM - Acting Intensive

Signature Events

Night of Revels Fundraiser

Save the date for our second annual WSF gala fundraiser! This event gives you exclusive backstage access, as you get the opportunity to dine right alongside our esteemed company of performers and artists who make our Festival come to life onstage. Featuring dinner, drinks, remarks, an intimate Q&A with the WSF team, and a “Twelfth Night” shipwreck theme, this is an event that is not to be missed!

• Date: Friday, June 28

• Times: 6:00 PM

• Location: Jamf Theatre, Pablo Center

Chippewa Valley Theatre Industry Night

Wisconsin Shakespeare Festival strives to celebrate all theatre in Eau Claire and the Chippewa Valley, so we invite YOU to join us for an “industry night” reception on Saturday, July 20. We welcome you to stop by the Gibson Street Entry at Pablo Center and mingle with each other and the cast/team of Wisconsin Shakespeare Festival, enjoying some free snacks and a cash bar. Folks with any connection to theatremaking (acting, directing, design/tech, orchestra pit for musicals, etc.) at any level (high school, college, community theatre, professional) are welcome to attend! This event is completely free of charge, and open to anyone with ties to local theatre.

• Date: Saturday, July 20

• Times: 9:00-10:30 PM

• Location: Gibson Street Entry, Pablo Center

• Admission/Fee: FREE

A Midsummer Night’s Fun Run

While Shakespeare wrote that ‘the course of true love never did run smooth,’ we’re pretty sure this isn’t the kind of running he had in mind! Come take part in WSF’s first-ever fun run - a casual early-evening outdoor event in downtown Eau Claire. With a route that includes downtown bridges and the riverfront trail, this is an active event (with beautiful views!) that the whole family can enjoy. Participants must register by July 9 to guarantee participation. “Now bid me run, and I will strive with things impossible.”

• Date: Tuesday, July 16

• Times: 6:00 PM

• Location: Haymarket Plaza

• Admission/Fee: Adult 18+: $25 // Kids 5-18: $10 // Kids 5 & under: FREE

WSF Farewell: ‘Parting is Such Sweet

Sorrow’ Ice Cream Party

We invite you to join us for a season-closing celebration filled with music, games, fun, and (of course) ice cream! This family-friendly event is free and open to everyone.

• Date: Sunday, July 28

• Times: 3:00-7:00 PM

• Location: Haymarket Plaza

• Admission/Fee: Free!

Special Events: 12 Days of Shakespeare

Shakespeare in the Park…with Yoga!

Always wanted to try Yoga but didn’t know where to start? Or maybe you already love yoga and have been trying to convince others to join you? This is your chance to encourage your friends, family, co-workers (anyone you know that deserves more happiness) to give Yoga a try. This all-levels class is led by Wendy Oberg of The Yoga Room, who has mastered the art of creating an outdoor class that truly is for everyone, seasoned yogis, newbies, 8 years olds and 80-year-olds alike all benefit from this delicious outdoor class.

Joining Wendy’s class this week will be a group of WSF’s mainstage actors - who knows? Maybe they’ll come up with some Shakespearean poses for everyone to try!

• Date: Saturday, June 22

• Times: 9:00-10:00 AM

• Location: River Prairie

Poetry Open Mic Night

Let’s celebrate the art of writing and poetry! All poets and poetry lovers are welcome in this inclusive open mic hosted by Acoustic Cafe and Wisconsin Shakespeare Festival. Bring your words, stop by to get inspired, or just listen. All people and styles of poetry are welcome. Those who attend are eligible to win door prizes, including free tickets to WSF mainstage productions!

• Date: Sunday, June 23

• Time: 6:00 PM

• Location: Acoustic Cafe

Arts & Ideas: The Hollow Crown

Monday, June 24, 6:00 PM, L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library (Riverview Room)

This discussion will revolve around Eliot Cohen’s book, entitled “The Hollow Crown: Shakespeare on How Leaders Rise, Rule, and Fall,” and what Shakespeare’s plays can teach us about power and modern politics. Facilitated by Adam Kunz, UWEC Assistant Professor of Political Science. This event is sponsored by the Menard Center for Constitutional Studies at UW-Eau Claire.

Shakespeare Night at the Eau Claire Express

“If music be the food of love, play ball!” …isn’t that how the quote goes? Anyhow, this matchup against the Thunder Bay Border Cats won’t be like any other you’ve seen, as we’ve partnered with the Express to Shakespeare-ify the game. We’ve Shakespeare-themed the between-innings games, will offer discounts for those who come dressed in costume, have WSF ticket vouchers to give away as prizes, and more!

• Date: Tuesday, June 25

• Time: 6:35 PM first pitch

• Location: Carson Park

UWEC Summer Cinema: West Side Story

We invite you to enjoy UWEC’s summer cinema series with viewing of the 2021 Steven Spielberg version of “West Side Story.” Based on Shakespeare’s “Romeo & Juliet,” this blockbuster musical explores forbidden love and the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds.*Event will be moved inside to the Woodland Theater, Davies Center 3rd floor, if rain or inclement weather.

• Date: Wednesday, June 26

• Time: 9:00 PM

• Location: Campus Mall, UWEC campus

• ARTMobile activities at 8:00 PM

Much Ado About Improv

We are thrilled to partner with Oh Claire Improv to bring you (what we’re pretty darn sure is) the Chippewa Valley’s first-ever Shakespeare-themed improv show! Join us for an evening full of laughs and hijinks, just as ole Willie Shakes would have liked it. No previous experience with (or even admiration of) Shakespeare required.

• Date: Thursday, June 27

• Time: 7:30 PM (doors open at 7:00 PM)

• Location: Oh Claire Improv (515 Wisconsin Street)

• Tickets: $15 - available in advance (ohclaireimprov.com) or at the door

Makers’ Market in the Jamf Globe

We invite you to support local arts and artists - right here in the Jamf on our replica set of Shakespeare’s Globe! The Eau Claire Makers Market seeks to support the arts and music by providing a platform for local artists and musicians to showcase and sell their work, fostering community engagement with the arts and music, and promoting the economic and cultural development of the Chippewa Valley. This market is open to ALL to shop! If you’re interested in being a vendor, please apply online at https://www.ecmakersmarket.com/apply. $35 vendor booth fee.

• Date: Saturday, June 29

• Times: 12:00-5:00 PM (vendor setup at 11:00 AM)

• Location: Jamf Theatre, Pablo Center

• Admission: FREE & open to the general public

We [heart] Art

Join us for a unique art opportunity at the Paint Shack! We will be using recycled broken glass from our glass buffet to create a unique heart masterpiece. Choose your surface (wood or canvas), size, and colors, and enjoy this 3D art project! Please note these will be ready 2-3 days after the event as we pour an epoxy resin over the top to seal everything to your chosen surface. Great for all ages! Register online at https://thepaintshack.net/

• Date: Monday, July 1

• Time: 6:00-8:00 PM

• Location: The Paint Shack, 2524 Golf Rd #2c, Eau Claire

• Fee: Starts at $20, customizable

Shakespeare at CMEC

Shakespeare is taking over the Children’s Museum! Join us for a day chock-full of theatre activities for kids and families. Throughout the day, we will offer a wide variety of activities for all ages, including arts & crafts, theatre games, and a headlining performance by our Merely Players troupe at 10:30 AM.

• Date: Tuesday, July 2

• Location: Children’s Museum of Eau Claire, 126 N. Barstow St. Eau Claire

• Fee: Free with membership; $11/person day pass for non-members

Merely Players at the Eau Claire Farmers’ Market

Join the Merely Players performing troupe for their first publicly-available performance of the season! This group of young actors will present a shortened and simplified production of a Shakespearean show, followed by a Q&A. This is a great introduction to theatre and Shakespeare for audiences of all ages - we hope that you join us!

• Date: Wednesday, July 3

• Times: 10:00 AM

• Location: Phoenix Park, under the clock tower

Partnerships & Sponsorships

The Wisconsin Shakespeare Festival wouldn’t be possible without the help of our community of sponsors, partnerships, and donors.

Connect With US

To learn more about Wisconsin Shakespeare Festival, we invite you to connect with us!

www.pablocenter.org/events/ wishakespearefest @wishakespearefest