** Shakespeare in the Park Resident Partner**
** Since 2017, Shakespeare in the Park has been a grateful Resident Partner with the Marcus Performing Arts Center
2023 Presenting Sponsors: $25,000 and above
2022 and 2023 Presenting Sponsor
Optimist Theatre is honored to be included in the Isabel & Alfred Bader Fund, a Bader Philanthropy. In addition to generously funding Shakespeare in the Park, they treat us as an investment in the future, and seek to provide growth opportunities, enabling us to build a solid foundation. Thank you for your commitment to the health, vitality and viability of Milwaukee and beyond.
2023 Sponsors: $15,000 and above
2022 Foundation Sponsor
from The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation has a deep commitment to cultural activity and has enabled organizations to make a deep and sincere impact on the quality of life in the Greater Milwaukee area and well beyond. Shakespeare in the Park is again honored to be recognized as contributing to that impact.
from The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation has a deep commitment to cultural activity and has enabled organizations to make a deep and sincere impact on the quality of life in the Greater Milwaukee area and well beyond. Shakespeare in the Park is again honored to be recognized as contributing to that impact.
The Marvin W. Haesle Fund for the Arts
2023 Presenting Sponsor
The Greater Milwaukee Foundation, a cornerstone of our great community, is once again a vital presenting sponsor for Optimist Theatre and Shakespeare in the Park. Their investment expertise, history and community knowledge make them ideally suited to support Shakespeare in the Park's mission. We are grateful for the faith and trust you have placed in us to help carry that torch.
2023 Presenting Sponsor
The Greater Milwaukee Foundation, a cornerstone of our great community, is once again a vital presenting sponsor for Optimist Theatre and Shakespeare in the Park. Their investment expertise, history and community knowledge make them ideally suited to support Shakespeare in the Park's mission. We are grateful for the faith and trust you have placed in us to help carry that torch.
2023 Sponsors: $10,000 and above
2022, 2023 , and 2024 Foundation Sponsor
The Herzfeld Foundation makes grants in the areas of Arts and Culture, Education, Arts Education and limited funding in Civic Improvements to Wisconsin-based organizations with an emphasis on those that benefit the people of the Greater Milwaukee area.
The Herzfeld Foundation makes grants in the areas of Arts and Culture, Education, Arts Education and limited funding in Civic Improvements to Wisconsin-based organizations with an emphasis on those that benefit the people of the Greater Milwaukee area.
2023 Sponsors: $7,500 and above
2023 Affiliate Member
The United Performing Arts Fund Affiliate Program is an annual grant program that funds projects and program grants provided by performing arts groups in Southeastern Wisconsin. UPAF selects Affiliates that reflect the excellence in performing arts available in the region.
2022-2023 Sponsor
Arts and cultural organizations contribute significantly to the quality of life and economic development in Milwaukee County. The Milwaukee County Cultural Artistic & Musical Programming Advisory Council (CAMPAC) seeks to ensure that our great community supports organizations who exemplify those contributions.
2023 Sponsors: $3,000 and above
Optimist Theatre is honored to once again be supported by Gardner Foundation. Since 1948, Gardner Foundation has been supporting and improving the quality of life in the greater Milwaukee area.
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The Maihaugen Foundation is the legacy of Merrydelle and Howard May
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2023 Sponsors: $1,000 and above
We Energies supports initiatives for community and neighborhood development, health and human services, arts and culture, education and environment. Optimist Theatre is grateful to We Energies Foundation for supporting our 2022 touring season.
Dorothy Inbusch Foundation, Inc.
We are thrilled that Inbusch,which once sponsored a season at the Peck Pavilion, has returned as
sponsor for Shakespeare in the Park in 2023.
We are thrilled that Inbusch,which once sponsored a season at the Peck Pavilion, has returned as
sponsor for Shakespeare in the Park in 2023.
Mr. Bob Balderson
Michelle, Chris and Riley Young and
2023 Sponsors: $500 and above
Paul Toonen
Kate Wilson
Kate Wilson
2023 Sponsors: $250 and above
David HB Drake and Jennifer Esh
Mr Kevin Ronnie
Dr. Kris Vasquez, Mr. Jun Davantes and Family
Mr Kevin Ronnie
Dr. Kris Vasquez, Mr. Jun Davantes and Family
Our 2023 Hosts
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Past Sponsors
BMO Harris Bank
Optimist Theatre/Shakespeare in the Park is thrilled to be representing BMO Harris in our community for a 5th year. Together, we share a commitment to vibrant and healthy neighborhoods.
Optimist Theatre/Shakespeare in the Park is thrilled to be representing BMO Harris in our community for a 5th year. Together, we share a commitment to vibrant and healthy neighborhoods.
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Since 2010 (!!!) Shakespeare in the Park has been supported in part by a grant from the Milwaukee Arts Board and the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the state of Wisconsin. Thank you for your invaluable help in making the dream of Shakespeare in the Park a reality.
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Thank you so very much for your belief in the Shakespeare in the Park mission. Optimist Theatre is very proud to be a part of the Steidleder Charitable Trust family.
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Our gratitude once again to the Green Bay Packers Foundation for helping bring Shakespeare in the Park to the city of Milwaukee.
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Our deepest gratitude to the Woman's Club of Wisconsin Foundation. Since 1965, members have been Nurturing Bright Futures that enhance the social, professional and intellectual interests of Milwaukee's women.
Special thanks to our champions Janet Talberg, Pam Stark, and Carrie Matteson.
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This organization was supported with funds from the American Rescue Plan Act provided by the National Endowment for the Arts and granted through the Wisconsin Arts Board.
Wisconsin Arts Board
2022 Public Foundation Sponsor - Shakespeare in the Park has been supported in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 in part by a Creation and Presentation grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the people of the state of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts. Their founding sponsor support has helped make us what we are now.
2022 Public Foundation Sponsor - Shakespeare in the Park has been supported in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 in part by a Creation and Presentation grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the people of the state of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts. Their founding sponsor support has helped make us what we are now.
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- Laura and Mark Barnard
- Dr. David Paris
- Mr. Max Samson
- Ms. Judy Krelitz Retirement Fund
- Mr. Guy and Ms. Mary Jo McDonald
- Organic Arts: David HB Drake and Jennifer Esh - in honor of Richelle Harrington Calin
- Ms. Jill Schwartz
- Ms. Sara RS and Mr. Howard Miller
- Ruth and Chad Larson
- Robert and Theresa Muselman
- Mr. James, Ms. Michelle, and Mr. Edward Owczarski
2022 Extra Special Thanks to ....
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Special thanks to Mr. Paul Toonen and Ms. Jan Hill for their sponsorship to support 2022 performance
in Lake Park. |
Past Collaborators and Partners
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2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017 Presenting Sponsor
COA Youth and Family Centers, one of Milwaukee’s most venerable community youth organizations, is again hosting Optimist Theatre in the Selig-Joseph-Folz amphitheater and performance space in Alice Bertschy Kadish Park. |
Wisconsin Humanities Council
2020 CARES Act Sustaining Sponsor. The Wisconsin Humanities Council has steadfastly supported Optimist Theatre's community programs where we strive to bring the person, life and times of William Shakespeare to vivid life. In 2020, they are helping ensure that organizations like ours continue to survive so we can one day thrive again. The Wisconsin Humanities Council supports and creates programs that use history, culture, and discussion to strengthen community life for everyone in Wisconsin.
Funded by a grant from the Wisconsin Humanities Council, with funding provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act economic stabilization plan. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed by the grant recipient do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 Major Grant Award Recipients
"To Be! Shakespeare Here and Now" was been supported in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. The Wisconsin Humanities Council supports and creates programs that use history, culture, and discussion to strengthen community life for everyone in Wisconsin. Please contact us at Shakespeare@OptimistTheatre.org or 262-498-9788 to inquire about bringing William Shakespeare to your school, library or community organization.
2020 CARES Act Sustaining Sponsor. The Wisconsin Humanities Council has steadfastly supported Optimist Theatre's community programs where we strive to bring the person, life and times of William Shakespeare to vivid life. In 2020, they are helping ensure that organizations like ours continue to survive so we can one day thrive again. The Wisconsin Humanities Council supports and creates programs that use history, culture, and discussion to strengthen community life for everyone in Wisconsin.
Funded by a grant from the Wisconsin Humanities Council, with funding provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act economic stabilization plan. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed by the grant recipient do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 Major Grant Award Recipients
"To Be! Shakespeare Here and Now" was been supported in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. The Wisconsin Humanities Council supports and creates programs that use history, culture, and discussion to strengthen community life for everyone in Wisconsin. Please contact us at Shakespeare@OptimistTheatre.org or 262-498-9788 to inquire about bringing William Shakespeare to your school, library or community organization.