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Dear Friend,
There is a story about an ancient King, who, far from wise for his years, values life only in terms of words and materials. He declares that he can make nothing of "nothing." In so doing, he loses everything. Homeless, going mad, teetering on the tipping point of mortal death or a walk in the eternal wilderness, he discovers finally the need for love.
With his material life now a blank canvas, he becomes an artist and is forced to reflect on the seminal events in the microcosm that is his life. His awakening is universal, and his tragic epiphany speaks to us all.
Lear the artist is too late to save himself and his beloved daughter, but, Shakespeare would lead us to believe, he is in time to awaken us.
An artist's duty is to go before a white canvas and paint courage in images, in text, in dance, in notes -- perhaps prompting an awakening that we might each sense on our own terms. Art is how humanity reflects on itself. Poetry slows our eyes down, theatre returns irrational senses and emotions to us, dance skips our hearts, and music is a tidal wave of collective possibility.
Reflection
As I reflect on the year soon ended on behalf of Tennessee Shakespeare Company, I am struck by all of the creative collaborations in our midst.
Our dear Board of Directors collaborated with our volunteers, local businesses, staff, and many of you to create our first Gala in September. It was an artistic, social, and financial success beyond our projections. No fools of Lear's, we have decided this should be an annual event.
With over 40 artists from Memphis, Germantown, and all over the country, we created an inspired production of A Midsummer Night's Dream to kick off our Second Stage Season.
TSC's Stephanie Shine and Brittany Morgan collaborated with thousands of Germantown teachers and students for the production, creating a theatre, classroom, and study guide experience that, for schools throughout the Mid-South, had no equal. These collaborations extended to valuable Residencies at St. Mary's School and the Soulsville Charter School in downtown Memphis.
Connie and Dunbar Abston collaborated with us to create The Dunbar Abston Fund for Sustainable Excellence. With this generous honoring of a great and giving man, TSC's endowment was begun.
And we have collaborated with the City of Germantown. Simply put, TSC is not possible without the extraordinary support of our City government and our Board of Mayor and Aldermen. This year, they expanded our Education Program with a substantial grant and began project-managing the singular design of the City's outdoor amphitheatre, which we began discussing nearly three and a half years ago. The al fresco amphitheatre will become a cultural beacon in our town, and it will encourage annual artistic collaborations. I am so proud of our City officials and administrators, and I am honored to collaborate with them. When was the last time you thanked a City official for their creativity and selflessness? Send them a brief e-mail at
mbetty@germantown-tn.govThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
; and please copy us at
tnshakespeare@gmail.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
In reflecting on just these few, I can begin to paint a picture of 2010.
Vision
An all-woman production of Julius Caesar in March and April that will incorporate dance and bring two new music and movement collaborators to us. And when we announce the performance venue shortly, I think you will be surprised and delighted!
Our first two-week summer camps for children will begin at Hutchison School. We are also close to finalizing an agreement to launch our inaugural Young Company this summer for college-aged students. Enroll your child and find out more.
We plan to be the first company to try out the new outdoor amphitheatre in September and October. What Shakespeare play would you like to see us produce out there under the stars? (Go to tnshakespeare.org and scroll down to vote!)
Our volunteer organization, The Groundlings, will formalize this year with an exciting committee structure that will collaborate with our staff and Board.
And we will collaborate with more extraordinary artists and organizations in our third season as we perform three productions, indoors and out. This means we will be growing.
Blessings
If you or your business would like to collaborate with us, drop us a note at tnshakespeare@gmail.com.
Everything each of us does today is vital. It's what tomorrow is built on, not just for us, but everyone else, too.
Thank you for your vital actions this past year with regard to TSC. They enable us to consider our future more deeply and with greater imagination. On behalf of our Board and staff, I appreciate your creativity and devotion.
Happy New Year.
Much love,
Dan McCleary
 A Midsummer Night's Dream opening night celebration with the actors and audience. |
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