​And they ARE! 

And THEY have promised to challenge two MORE people (each!) when their own fundraisers are complete!

If you think that's cool, you don't have to wait for the challenge to make its way to you!
You can start your very own challenge chain!

How?
Easy!

First (and especially) if your birthday is coming up soon, make a plan: decide how long you'd like to run your fundraiser (10-14 days seems manageable, but your mileage may vary), when you'd like to start it, what you'd like to say to your friends and family when you ask them to support Optimist Theatre (the entity registered with Facebook as a nonprofit; we do ask that you @ tag the Shakespeare in the Park page -- @ShaxParkMKE in your intro text).

Then, go to town! The image below shows you how/where to get started.
Promote your fundraiser while it's active. Think about a couple of your own friends with birthdays on the horizon who value free Shakespeare in Milwaukee. When your fundraiser ends, challenge them to do the same!

Finally, bask in our gratitude. Our fans are the best fans, and it's projects like this that just prove it!

Note: if you need help, contact us and we'll be happy to assist you.

As 2017 enters its final hours, it's appropriate to thank everyone who has turned Shakespeare in the Park from a dream into eight summers of funny, poignant, scary, tragic and triumphant theatre!

The donations of hundreds of individuals and businesses and grantmakers, the assistance of dozens of partners, the work and talent of the actors and crews and staff -- and the willingness of all of you to go along for the ride...that's what made all of our milestones possible. None more so than those we passed this year.

Enjoy this look back as we prepare to clear even higher hurdles in the year ahead:

We could not be more pleased to introduce you to Lisa Gaye Dixon, who will be directing King Lear for SitP 2018!

As we teased a couple of weeks ago, Lisa is currently performing in Chicago, at the Goodman Theatre's A Christmas Carol as the Ghost of Christmas Present. We'll catch up with her soon after that's complete in order to bring you some of her thoughts about Lear.

In the meanwhile, her biography will, no doubt, amaze you as much as it did us:

Lisa Gaye Dixon is an Associate Professor in Theatre, and has worked professionally across the country and around the globe. She began her professional career with the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago, and has been seen on the stages of the Royal Shakespeare Company and the New Globe Theatre in London, and regionally at the Attic Theatre (Detroit), Milwaukee Shakespeare, Ann Arbor civic Theatre and the Illinois Shakespeare Festival.

Film work includes: The Trouble with Men and Women (BBC/IFC), USING: The Movie, and the award-winning independent film Leading Ladies, where she was also a professional acting coach.  

We are also very proud to announce that we've "upgraded" our category with Actors' Equity Association which will enable us, beginning in 2019, to have performances with us counted for "points" by actors in the Equity Membership Candidate program. This represents an opportunity for us to become an even more active participant in the career growth of young actors in the area -- and one more of the theaters working to help actors stay in the area to pursue their craft. Part of our commitment to the greater Milwaukee/southeastern Wisconsin community has always been to hire local actors and this will be one more way that we meet that commitment.

Finally, we'll be introducing you to our King Lear Director VERY SOON! 
Your hint(s) are that she is currently in the midst of performing in a show in Chicago! We'll want her to have a few minutes to give you some of her thoughts about bringing this show to life, so stay tuned for all of that information in the next few weeks!

We're very happy to announce that Sazama's Fine Catering will have a food concession and cash bar beginning at 6:15 p.m. every night, including selections like:

​

• Grilled items, $4-6.75:

            Hot dogs, brats, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, etc.

• Other hot Saz's favorites, $4-6.75:

            Saz's (exceptionally and justifiably famous) pulled pork sandwiches,
            mozzarella marinara and sour cream & chive fries

• Veggie wraps, chips, cookies, etc., $2-6
• "Build your own" picnic box
• and More!!

Note: The Marcus Center for the Performing Arts is a non-profit organization and asks that you leave your adult beverages at home. You can purchase wine, beer and cocktails from Sazama’s Rivers Edge Patio.  Proceeds from sales help offset expenses and ensure the continued success of the Marcus Center and its resident groups (including Optimist Theater). Please do your part to support this event.
 
In addition, Shakespeare in the Park Members will be able to enjoy table service in the Member Hospitality area!