** Shakespeare in the Park Resident Partner**
** Since 2017, Shakespeare in the Park has been a grateful Resident Partner with the Marcus Performing Arts Center
2024 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.
Optimist is grateful to the Herzfeld Foundation’s support for artistic excellence and the creative spirit and for their assistance and flexibility. Herzfeld truly recognizes that a vibrant arts community is one that provides diverse cultural experiences to everyone.
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.
Optimist is grateful to the Herzfeld Foundation’s support for artistic excellence and the creative spirit and for their assistance and flexibility. Herzfeld truly recognizes that a vibrant arts community is one that provides diverse cultural experiences to everyone.
2023 Presenting Sponsors: $25,000 and above
2022 and 2023 Presenting Sponsor
Optimist Theatre is honored to have longtime support from Bader Philanthropies. 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. We thank them for their commitment to the health, vitality, and viability of Milwaukee and beyond.
2023 Sponsors: $15,000 and above
2023 Foundation Sponsor
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 for its role in strengthening community bonds.
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 for its role in strengthening community bonds.
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 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 they 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 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 they have placed in us to help carry that torch.
2024 Sponsors: $7,500 and above
2024 Affiliate Member
Optimist is proud to meet the high standards required to be included as an Affiliate Member of the United Performing Arts Fund, Wisconsin’s largest performing arts organization.
2023 Sponsors: $7,500 and above
2022-2023 Sponsor
Optimist appreciates the longtime support of the Milwaukee County Cultural Artistic & Musical Programming Advisory Council (CAMPAC), which supports organizations that contribute significantly to the quality of life and economic development in Milwaukee County.
2024 Sponsors: $5,000 and above
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.
2023 Sponsors: $5,000 and above
We are very thankful for the Steigleder Charitable Trust's belief in our Shakespeare in the Park mission.
Optimist Theatre is proud to be among the wonderful arts organizations supported by the Steigleder Charitable Trust.
Optimist Theatre is proud to be among the wonderful arts organizations supported by the Steigleder Charitable Trust.
2023 Sponsors: $3,000 and above
Optimist Theatre is honored to once again be supported by The Gardner Foundation. Since 1948, The Gardner Foundation has been supporting and improving the quality of life in the greater Milwaukee area.
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Optimist is thrilled to receive its first grant from The Maihaugen Foundation, which is the legacy of Merrydelle and Howard May and supports cultural and environmental organizations.
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2024 Sponsors: $1,000 and above
Mr. Bob Balderson
Anonymous Retirement Distribution
Anonymous Retirement Distribution
2023 Sponsors: $1,000 and above
Optimist Theatre is grateful for the support of our 2022 and 2023 touring seasons from the We Energies Foundation, which supports initiatives for community and neighborhood development, health and human services, arts and culture, and education and environment.
Wisconsin Arts Board
Public Foundation Sponsor - Shakespeare in the Park has been supported in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 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.
Public Foundation Sponsor - Shakespeare in the Park has been supported in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 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.
Dorothy Inbusch Foundation, Inc.
We are thrilled that Inbusch, which once sponsored a season at the Peck Pavilion, has returned as
a funder for Shakespeare in the Park in 2023.
We are thrilled that Inbusch, which once sponsored a season at the Peck Pavilion, has returned as
a funder for Shakespeare in the Park in 2023.
Evan and Marion Helfaer Foundation
We are grateful for this first-time grant from the Helfaer Foundation, which has long supported theatre in Milwaukee.
We are grateful for this first-time grant from the Helfaer Foundation, which has long supported theatre in Milwaukee.
Hiram and Vanessa Beardsley
Mr. Guy and Ms. Mary Jo McDonald
Max Samson and Nancy Pinter
Mr. Guy and Ms. Mary Jo McDonald
Max Samson and Nancy Pinter
Michelle, Chris and Riley Young and
2023 Sponsors: $500 and above
David HB Drake and Jennifer Esh
Ms. Jill Schwartz
Mr. Paul Toonen
Dr. Kris Vasquez, Mr. Jun Davantes and Family
Kathleen Wilson and Donald S. Wilson
Ms. Jill Schwartz
Mr. Paul Toonen
Dr. Kris Vasquez, Mr. Jun Davantes and Family
Kathleen Wilson and Donald S. Wilson
2024 Sponsors: $250 and above
Mr. Kevin Ronnie
2023 Sponsors: $250 and above
Lynn & Francis Casper
2024 Sponsors: Other
Herb Kohl Philanthropies
Our 2023 Hosts
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Past Sponsors
BMO Harris Bank
Optimist Theatre appreciates the five years that BMO Harris Bank sponsored Shakespeare in the Park and hopes we will work together in the future to strengthen our neighborhoods. We are especially grateful for Raquel Filmanowicz for believing in us!
Optimist Theatre appreciates the five years that BMO Harris Bank sponsored Shakespeare in the Park and hopes we will work together in the future to strengthen our neighborhoods. We are especially grateful for Raquel Filmanowicz for believing in us!
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Our gratitude goes out to the Green Bay Packers Foundation for helping Shakespeare in the Park invest in equipment to support a winning second season of the traveling production.
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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.
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- Laura and Mark Barnard
- Dr. David Paris
- Ms. Judy Krelitz Retirement Fund
- Organic Arts: David HB Drake and Jennifer Esh - in honor of Richelle Harrington Calin
- 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.