2021 and Facing Adversity

 

From Board Chair Kelly Stage

“Sweet are the uses of adversity / Which, like the toad, ugly and venomous, /  Wears yet a precious jewel in his head.”        As You Like It, 2.1.12-14

The past year has been rife with adversity. 2021 has required patience, creativity, flexibility, empathy, kindness, and generosity, seemingly in endless supply. Everyone involved with Flatwater Shakespeare Company, from our stellar leadership to our newest cast members, has demonstrated these qualities over and again. But, the response to that adversity has indeed been sweet: in June Twelfth Night, a year in the making, finally marked Flatwater Shakespeare’s return to live, in-person performances. Despite some trials and tribulations—and a few severe thunderstorms—the show was a triumph. 

We were also overjoyed to see Little But Fierce return, in person, this past summer as we continued to provide free and fun educational programming to Lincoln kids. The pandemic has made many things difficult, but it also encouraged experimentation and innovation in response. New works, new talents, and new ideas emerged as Flatwater conquered challenges with creativity. In September, we premiered a fun, engaging, and thoughtful festival of one-act plays, Unshaken, and an uproarious and inventive two-person A Midsummer Night’s Dream. These exciting new works and new ways of presenting Shakespeare were also important opportunities for Flatwater to grow and to reach new audiences. We are especially thankful for our partnerships with The Mill and The Indian Center, which provided the venues for these shows. 

In addition, the artistic and education team behind A Midsummer Night’s Dream prioritized outreach, and wowed hundreds of students at Blue Hill Community School, Harvard Elementary School, Sutton Elementary School, and the Malone Community Center. We are extremely proud of everything that Flatwater Shakespeare Company has accomplished in this year of adversity. We would not have had these bright moments in the past year without the continued support of our donors— individuals, foundations, and corporate entities alike. 2022 will bring more challenges as well as new leadership for our company, but we will continue Flatwater Shakespeare’s essential mission to provide quality education, entertainment, and outreach to the Lincoln community and beyond. There is still much uncertainty in our world, but we find our mission more important and inspiring than ever. We cannot wait to see what 2022 will bring.