2025 Presenting Sponsors: $30,000 and above
2024 and 2025
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.
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.
2024 Presenting Sponsors: $25,000 and above
The 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 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.
Our 2024 season is made possible by a combination of grants from the William and Alicia Schoenich Arts and Culture Fund, the Gertrude and Eric William Passmore Fund, the Marvin W. Haesle Fund for the Arts, and the Gerda A. Debelak Fund.
Our 2024 season is made possible by a combination of grants from the William and Alicia Schoenich Arts and Culture Fund, the Gertrude and Eric William Passmore Fund, the Marvin W. Haesle Fund for the Arts, and the Gerda A. Debelak Fund.
2022, 2023, and 2024
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.
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.
2025 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.
2024 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.
2025 Sponsors: $2,000 and above
Anonymous c/o Robert W. Baird & Co.
2024 Sponsors: $2,000 and above
Public Foundation Sponsor - Shakespeare in the Park has been supported in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 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.
2025 Sponsors: $1,000 and above
Bob Balderson
2024 Sponsors: $1,000 and above
Optimist Theatre is grateful for the support of our 2022, 2023 and 2024 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.
Anonymous Upon Retirement
John Shannon and Jan Serr
Michelle and Chris Young
2024 Sponsors: $250 and above
Mr. Kevin Ronnie
2024 Sponsors: Other
Herb Kohl Philanthropies
Our 2024 Hosts
|
Shakespeare in the City would not have been possible without the generous support of Wisconsin Lutheran College. Particular thanks to Mr. Simon Provan, Chair of the Theatre Dept.
|
|
Shakespeare in the City will be forever grateful to the Milwaukee County Parks Department for enabling Shakespeare in the City to present so many free performances in their beautiful parks.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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!
|
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.
|
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.
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.
|
|
- 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 ....
|
|
Special thanks to Mr. Paul Toonen and Ms. Jan Hill for their sponsorship to support 2022 performance
in Lake Park. |
Past Collaborators and Partners
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] or 262-498-9788 to inquire about bringing William Shakespeare to your school, library or community organization.