
“To Be!” is created and performed by Optimist Theatre Artistic Director Ron Scot Fry. Ron has played “To Be!” for more than 80,000 people. He has played Wisconsin communities from Kendall (pop. 471) to Milwaukee (pop.597,867), and ranged from Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles, California and Florence, Italy.
Ron at Optimist ...

In addition to creating and playing “To Be!” Ron is active in Optimist Theatre's annual Shakespeare in the Park:
- 2010 – Directed and designed staging for Shakespeare in the Park’s premier production, The Tempest, starring James Pickering, Angela Iannone, and Tom Reed.
- 2011 – Played Andrew Aguecheek (pictured) in Twelfth Night, directed by Laura Gordon.
- 2012 – Directed and designed staging for Macbeth, starring Tom Reed, Marti Gobel, and James Pickering.
- 2013 – Designed staging for As You Like It, directed by Tom Reed, which was the premier theatrical production in the Selig-Joseph-Folz Amphitheater in Kadish Park.
- 2014 – Played Antigonous and designed staging for The Winter’s Tale, directed by M.L. Cogar
- 2015 -- Directed A Midsummer Night's Dream for Shakespeare in the Park
- 2016.... coming soon.... Julius Caesar...
... and in Italy ...

In 2013, Ron taught and performed in Florence, Italy for FESTA – Florence English Speaking Theatre Artists.
In early 2014, FESTA commissioned him to create a new work, with Ron playing Shakespeare, featuring the sexiest and most violent scenes in Shakespeare.
In March of 2014, “Bloody, Filthy Shakespeare” debuted at the historic Teatro Goldoni in Florence, directed by FESTA Artistic Director Shaun Loftus. Ron as Shakespeare and co-star Elia Nichols as “the Boy” played 36 characters from 20 plays.
Need more statistics? The show also included 18 scenes, 3 fights, 10 weapons, 9 blood packs, 1 puppet (with removable bloody tongue and hands), 10 props, 3 poems, 6 audience members on stage, 2 magic tricks and 1 severed hand.
In early 2014, FESTA commissioned him to create a new work, with Ron playing Shakespeare, featuring the sexiest and most violent scenes in Shakespeare.
In March of 2014, “Bloody, Filthy Shakespeare” debuted at the historic Teatro Goldoni in Florence, directed by FESTA Artistic Director Shaun Loftus. Ron as Shakespeare and co-star Elia Nichols as “the Boy” played 36 characters from 20 plays.
Need more statistics? The show also included 18 scenes, 3 fights, 10 weapons, 9 blood packs, 1 puppet (with removable bloody tongue and hands), 10 props, 3 poems, 6 audience members on stage, 2 magic tricks and 1 severed hand.
... for Renaissance Entertainment ...
Ron served as Artistic Director for the Bristol Renaissance Faire for nineteen years, and for Renaissance Entertainment Faires in Virginia and Los Angeles, California. With brilliant and tireless colleagues, he established the Bristol Academy of Performing Arts, the Nick Cutter and Robin Hood Scenarii, the Fantastickals, and the Dead Parade. He designed Bloodtharken the Dragon (24' marionette puppet), 11' tall Jyncks the Jester, the Puppeteer, and buildings including the Town Square Public House, Tuscany Tavern, and the Three Sheets Music Stage.
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While with Renaissance Entertainment, Ron portrayed characters including:
Sir Francis Drake |
... and Other Excellent Companies
Including:
Milwaukee Public Theatre
Milwaukee Hybrid Theatre
Carthage College
Alverno College
Creative Services International
Columbia College, Chicago
First Stage Children's Theatre
Bunny Gumbo Combat Theatre
Milwaukee Public Theatre
Milwaukee Hybrid Theatre
Carthage College
Alverno College
Creative Services International
Columbia College, Chicago
First Stage Children's Theatre
Bunny Gumbo Combat Theatre