Dear Friend,

In the last two months we have experienced an explosion of artistic and educational success, and I am so grateful to you for your role in it.

A Midsummer Night's Dream, which was an elegant, far-reaching production for us in just our second season, received an overwhelming response from adults and children alike. Audiences increased by 12% over last year. That's more than 4,000 of you! Thank you for your discovery with us.

Generously underwritten by the City of Germantown and TSC's Barbara B. Apperson Angel Fund, the six morning student matinees sold out to 21 middle and high schools, while the Free Will Thursday Kids Nights admitted 270 children aged 17 and younger for free - twice as many as last season.

Stephanie Shine and Brittany Morgan created a 90-page interactive Study Guide and distributed it to 1,900 students and teachers throughout Shelby and Fayette Counties in preparation of their student matinee experience. The guide included a special section, "Just for Educators," which empowered educators to lead their students in Elizabethan play. Playshops were led in all five of the City-funded schools. TSC teaching artists led 19 playshops serving 600 students from 3rd-12th grades, including an after-school visual arts club for 6th-8th grades, a Special Education 6th grade class, Freshman IB English classes, and advanced Drama. And while Brittany was warming up for the show, Stephanie was directing Prelude scenes acted by Germantown High School actors prior to each Dream performance. Also, nine of our generous Dream actors visited 18 classrooms, serving 450 students.

TSC's pilot Residency with St. Mary's School was a resounding success. The entire upper school of 220 students had four in-depth sessions with us. The humanities-based Residency included study and play with the works of visual artist Marc Chagall, psychoanalyst Dr. Carl Jung, composer Bela Bartok, mythologist Joseph Campbell, Elizabethan dance, stage combat, and imagination for the stage. And just this week, we began a two-month Residency at the Soulsville Charter School in downtown Memphis.

To top it off, two of the exemplary men of Memphis joined TSC's Board of Directors recently: Mr. Jack Jones and Dr. Owen Tabor. Click here to read more about our newest Shakespeare-spouting strategic planners!

Just wait til you see what we've got planned next!

Much Love,

Dan

Calling all riotous youth (and parents of) in grades 5-12:

Pre-enroll now for our exciting 2010 Shakespeare Summer Camps. Space is limited!

Join TSC teaching-artists for two series of playing camps at The Hutchison School in Memphis for students entering grades 5 through 8 and grades 9 through 12. We will play indoors and outdoors, and daily lunch will be provided.

The Play's the Thing June 21-25, 2010 A one-week journey into the world of one of Shakespeare's plays. Monday - Friday from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm.

Young Players Training Intensive July 12-23, 2010 Two weeks of fun intensity - Stage Combat, Dance, Text, Sceneplay, Movement, and Voice all taught by TSC Company Members. Monday - Friday from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm.

To register, or to register your child, please call Amanda Killen at Hutchison School at (901) 507-2460 or e-mail her at akillen@hutchisonschool.org.

You've seen the shows and read the newsletters, but you still want more TSC in your life? Why not show everyone your classically artistic side!

TSC's first edition t-shirts and baseball caps are just the thing for those casual afternoons - or try an embroidered polo shirt for more formal holiday occasions.

And speaking of holiday occasions, let TSC help you finish your shopping list. Pair a new shirt with a matching TSC gift certificate for the perfect fit!

Sizes range from Children's small, to Women's and Men's XXL. Polo shirts are available in navy blue, light blue, and lavender; and t-shirts come in white, yellow (pictured), orange, and lime.

Stock is limited. For more information and to place your order, call Caroline at (901) 759-0604 or e-mail us at tnshakespeare@gmail.com.