A
Letter from Marshall Carby, Executive Artistic Director, Flatwater
Shakespeare Company
Greetings,
Flatwater Shakespeare Community!
If
I haven’t had the opportunity to meet you at one of our productions
or educational programs, I would like to introduce myself to you now.
My name is Marshall Carby, and I am the Executive Artistic Director
for Flatwater Shakespeare Company. I was hired in January of last
year, and it has been my honor to continue the rich tradition of
bringing high-quality theatrical productions and community-based
educational programs to Lincoln, as we have for the past two decades.
Last
year, our annual Short Shakespeare Tour kicked off the season with a
hilarious and endearing production of Much Ado About Nothing.
This production ran for four performances at the historic Wyuka
Stables and then we took the show on the road performing at several
of Lincoln’s parks bringing FREE performances to families from the
surrounding areas. The parks tour brought Shakespeare’s classic
story to over 800 people in Lincoln. For me, it was a joy to see
families share this classic work together.
Another
part of our season that I found thrilling was our Little But Fierce
summer camps, serving children from kindergarten age through tenth
grade. Taught by several of Lincoln’s leading Shakespeare
practitioners, children engage with the Bard’s text and explore the
twists and turns of these characters and situations. Taught in three
separate sessions, with goals geared towards their respective age
groups, each course concluded with a performance showcasing the
skills developed during the week. I can tell you, these young people
are tremendous!
Our
fall production of Julius Caesar was one of my favorite directing
experiences to date. The cast was comprised of faces new and old to
Flatwater Shakespeare Company. This being my first time directing
for Flatwater Shakespeare Company, I quickly learned that previous
Artistic Director Bob Hall and Executive Artistic Directors Becky
Boesen and Summer Lukasiewicz left very large shoes to fill. What I
learned most during the production is the strength of this
organization. Flatwater Shakespeare is constantly built and sustained
by collaborative artists and a dedicated audience base who make what
we do possible. Thank you all for your past support.
Flatwater
Shakespeare is one of the best organizations in Lincoln. I am humbled
to be a part of Flatwater Shakespeare Company and I look forward to
our 2023 season. We have developed an exciting season of shows and
programs for the coming year. This season’s plays include A
Midsummer Night’s Dream,
Desdemona:
A Play About a Handkerchief,
and
The Winter’s Tale. Please
visit our website for show dates and times.
www.flatwatershakespearecompany.org
To
help continue our mission and expand our programming, please consider
donating to Flatwater Shakespeare Company during the 2023 Give to
Lincoln Day fundraising drive. We pride ourselves on being a
theatrical organization that believes in paying every member of our
production cast and crew, educators, and staff. We also strive to
bring affordable and often free programs to ensure Shakespeare’s
work is accessible to everyone. If you are in a situation to make a
monetary contribution to Flatwater Shakespeare Company, please do!
Give to Lincoln Day is May 24, but you can donate online anytime.
https://www.givetolincoln.com/nonprofits/flatwater-shakespeare-company
With
gratitude,
Marshall
