This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
07/26/2017 08:00 AMNo need to make the trip into the city this summer—the magic of the theater is coming to you. For the 16th year, the Shoreline Arts Alliance (SAA) presents Shakespeare on the Shoreline from Wednesday to Sunday, Aug. 2 to 6 on the Guilford Green.
This year’s five-day production presents The Tempest, a story set on a remote island where a sorcerer plots to restore his daughter to her rightful place through illusion and manipulation. Conjuring up a storm, the tempest, the sorcerer ensnares brothers and kings in his plot to achieve his ultimate goal.
The production again features Waterbury-based Shakesperience Productions, Inc. SAA CEO and Executive Director Eric Dillner said this company has preformed at Shakespeare on the Shoreline before, including last year when SAA presented Two Gentlemen of Verona. Dillner said the company does a good job of making sure all Shakespearian productions, no matter how dark or comedic, are accessible for all audiences.
“Their entire mission is to be family-friendly and present a show that is for the masses, so the choice is not so hard because they are going to take whatever show it is and make sure it is for the public of all ages,” he said.
People of all ages are able to get involved with the production, too. Through the Rising Star program, a two-week program designed to help students learn about and engage with the theater arts, Dillner said the young performers will even get a chance to take the stage this year.
“The third week is now the young students who are in the camp have the option of sticking around and being in the show,” he said. “This is a really great aspect…It is the opportunity for someone to maybe even be in their first show alongside a professional.”
One professional actor of note in this year’s production is Dr. David Richman playing the part of Prospero. Richman previously played the role of King Lear in the 2014 production.
“He is a blind actor, so to us that again is really focusing on our demonstration that from wherever you come there is an opportunity for you,” said Dillner.
The production itself will include American Sign Language interpreters at three of the five productions; listening devices are available as are braille programs, large print programs, and escorts to help individuals to and from their vehicles.
“We are trying to make sure everyone who wants to come can come and will have the opportunity to enjoy the show,” said Dillner.
The program books themselves will look a little different this year. With the help of a team of interns, Dillner said the playbill is now all online. When attendees arrive at the Green for the show, they will be given a fan with the website address. Dillner said this option is better for program sponsors and the environment.
“That program is great because it is helping us look at all of the things that we do and figuring out how to rethink our world of paper so that we are more green and leveraging a lot more visibility,” he said.
Dillner said he estimates about 5,000 people descend on the Green over the five nights of production; ensuring enough printed programs can get pricey. While one of the many assets of the show is that it is free to the public, in these economic times Dillner said funding the program is becoming more and more of a challenge.
“We are strong as an organization, no question about it, and we are doing great, but I will say that this program is challenging for us to fund even more than ever before,” he said. “We had strong state support and we do not anymore. Connecticut Humanities for instance gave us a grant for $25,000 last summer. Connecticut Humanities no longer has a granting program because it is funded by the state. This show is absolutely a show where we are trying to find a new way to fund and so we are looking to the community to ask for help.”
Shakespeare on the Shoreline’s The Tempest starts Wednesday, Aug. 2 and runs through Sunday, Aug. 6. Performances start at 7:30 p.m. on the Guilford Green. For more information or to donate to the Shoreline Arts Alliance, visit www.shorelinearts.org.