2006|2007 ANNUAL REPORT “Three and a half Stars … Kjetil Bang-Hansen more than achieves the company’s traditional level of excellence. The stage belongs to the believable and heartfelt emotion of Joseph Urla. Philip Goodwin is masterful and chilling.” Garrett M. Graff, The Washingtonian, on An Enemy for the People “Funny … The production glides confidently from silly to wry, from the pratfall to the riposte … Suave Christopher Innvar and tart Veanne Cox [are] polished comic actors who seem as smart as the words they utter.” Peter Marks, The Washington Post, on The Beaux’ Strategem “Unforgettable theater … smartly staged, wonderfully acted, and gorgeously rendered. Kahn’s Richard III possesses charm, menace and malice to spare.” Patrick Folliard, Washington Blade, on Richard III “Four Stars … Edwards succeeds mightily in balancing this parade of destruction with the emotional journeys Shakespeare offers … she has kept it free of exploitation and excessive prurience and still made it relevant. This Titus is high on action with enough superb displays of choreography and well-rehearsed stage-craft to keep even the YouTube crowd rapt.” Kate Wingfield, Metro Weekly, on Titus Andronicus “Ingenious … A straight-up modern-dress take. The Company’s done its characteristic deep meditation on the text and come away with fresh moments that enliven Shakespeare’s oft-heard words … open[ing] up the production in satisfying, unexpected ways.” Glen Weldon, Washington City Paper, on Hamlet “Three and a half Stars … Kjetil Bang-Hansen more than achieves the …” “Three and a half Stars … Kjetil Bang-Hansen more than achieves the company’s traditional level of excellence. The stage belongs to the believable and heartfelt emotion of Joseph Urla. Philip Goodwin is masterful and chilling.” Garrett M. Graff, The Washingtonian, on An Enemy for the People “Funny … The production glides confidently from silly to wry, from the pratfall to the riposte … Suave Christopher Innvar and tart Veanne Cox [are] polished comic actors who seem as smart as the words they utter.” Peter Marks, The Washington Post, on The Beaux’ Strategem “Unforgettable theater … smartly staged, wonderfully acted, and gorgeously rendered. Kahn’s Richard III possesses charm, menace and malice to spare.” Patrick Folliard, Washington Blade, on Richard III “Four Stars … Edwards succeeds mightily in balancing this parade of destruction with the emotional journeys Shakespeare offers … she has kept it free of exploitation and excessive prurience and still made it relevant. This Titus is high on action with enough superb displays of choreography and well-rehearsed stage-craft to keep even the YouTube crowd rapt.” Kate Wingfield, Metro Weekly, on Titus Andronicus “Ingenious … A straight-up modern-dress take. The Company’s done its characteristic deep meditation on the text and come away with fresh moments that enliven Shakespeare’s oft-heard words … open[ing] up the production in satisfying, unexpected ways.” Glen Weldon, Washington City Paper, on Hamlet “Three and a half Stars … Kjetil Bang-Hansen more than achieves the …” “Three and a half Stars … Kjetil Bang-Hansen more than achieves the company’s traditional 2006|2007 ANNUAL REPORT level of excellence. The stage belongs to the believable and heartfelt emotion of Joseph Urla. Philip Goodwin is masterful and chilling.” Garrett M. Graff, The Washingtonian, on An Enemy for the People “Funny … The production glides confidently from silly to wry, from the pratfall to the riposte … Suave Christopher Innvar and tart Veanne Cox [are] polished comic actors who seem as smart as the words they utter.” Peter Marks, The Washington Post, on The Beaux’ Strategem “Unforgettable theater … smartly staged, wonderfully acted, and gorgeously rendered. Kahn’s Richard III possesses charm, menace and malice to spare.” Patrick Folliard, Washington Blade, on Richard III “Four Stars … Edwards succeeds mightily in balancing this parade of destruction with the emotional journeys Shakespeare offers … she has kept it free of exploitation and excessive prurience and still made it relevant. This Titus is high on action with enough superb displays of choreography and well-rehearsed stage-craft to keep even the YouTube crowd rapt.” Kate Wingfield, Metro Weekly, on Titus Andronicus “Ingenious … A straight-up modern- dress take. The Company’s done its characteristic deep meditation on the text and come away with fresh moments that enliven Shakespeare’s oft-heard words … open[ing] up the production in satisfying, unexpected ways.” Glen Weldon, Washington City Paper, on Hamlet “Three and a half Stars … Kjetil Bang-Hansen more than achieves the …” Photo of Michael Kahn by Henry Linser. Dear Friend, I am pleased to present the 2006–2007 Annual Report of the The Shakespeare Theatre Company owes the success of the past 20 Shakespeare Theatre Company. As I look back on this 20th years to countless classical theatre enthusiasts throughout Washington, Anniversary season, I am struck by the breadth of the achievements D.C., and across the country. To recognize the artists who have brought made throughout this Company. We truly have so many reasons this organization to the pinnacle of artistic excellence, we presented an to be proud. Our 2006–2007 season, a season of discovery and unprecedented 15 recipients with the Will Award, honoring the acting rediscovery, brought five fascinating plays to Washington, D.C. We company who has brought vibrant life to the works on our stage. As the began with Henrik Ibsen’s groundbreaking An Enemy of the People season progressed, I witnessed our newest stage, Sidney Harman Hall, and followed with my production of a new adaptation of George taking shape before my eyes. I am filled with gratitude to the thousands of Farquhar’s The Beaux’ Stratagem. My production of Richard III kicked supporters of the Harman Center for the Arts and all those who made the off the citywide celebration Shakespeare in Washington, a feast of future of this company possible. music, theatre, film, art and dance that illustrated Shakespeare’s sweeping influence. The six-month festival included our first-ever The support of our exceptional Board of Trustees, brilliant artists, diligent production of Titus Andronicus, directed by Gale Edwards, and my staff and volunteers, and our tremendous family of patrons, ticket-buyers production of Hamlet, which featured Jeffrey Carlson in the title role. and donors made possible the many accomplishments of the 2006–2007 season. We continue to see widespread positive responses for our innovative and creative work done in the community and in our schools. One Thank you for your support and confidence in our work. remarkable illustration comes from a Text Alive! class. Even after their Shakespeare class was dropped from the school’s curriculum, Warmly, the students continued to fully commit to our program as an after- school elective. Of the teachers who completed our evaluation of the community program SHAKESPEARIENCE, 100 percent said they would recommend the program to another teacher. I am particularly Michael Kahn proud of the after-school theatre program ShakesPEERS, which Artistic Director was recognized by First Lady Laura Bush with the Coming Up Taller Award from the President’s Committee on Arts and the Humanities. With new programs like “Bard Lunches” and new Master Acting Classes, the Education Department has strengthened these thriving outreach efforts, and we anticipate seeing the profound effects for many seasons to come. TABLE OF CONTENTS 6 Our Mission 8 Leadership 10 Shakespeare Theatre Company Programs 12 The Season 14 Education Programs 17 Academy for Classical Acting 18 Collaborative Programs 20 Special Events 24 The Harman Center for the Arts 28 Financial Report 31 Thank You 43 Staff 46 Special Thanks Julia Coffey, Nancy Robinette, Christian Conn and Christopther Innvar in the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s production of “The Beaux’ Stratagem,” directed by Michael Kahn. Photo by Carol Rosegg. EDUCATION PROGRAMS 55 OUR MISSION Since its founding in 1985, the Shakespeare Theatre Company has endeavored to be the nation’s leading force in the presentation and preservation of classic theatre. Our core mission is to present classic theatre in an accessible, skillful, imaginative, American style that honors playwrights’ language and intentions while viewing their plays through a 21st-century lens. 6 Jeffrey Carlson and Janet Zarish in “Hamlet,” directed by Michael Kahn. Photo by Carol Rosegg. FOR THE SHAKESPEARE THEATRE COMPANY Board of Trustees Ex Officio Trustees Rebecca Klemm, Washington, D.C. Landon Butler, Chair Michael Kahn, Artistic Director Judith Light, California Robert E. Falb, Vice-Chair Nicholas T. Goldsborough, Managing Director Kate Medina, New York Pauline Schneider, Secretary Kathleen Matthews, Chair, National Council Pantelis Michalopoulos and Cynthia John Hill, Treasurer Quarterman, Washington, D.C. Ronald Salluzzo, Assistant Treasurer Emeritus Trustees Connie Mourtoupalas, Washington, D.C. R. Robert Linowes*, Founding Chairman The Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton, The Honorable Kenneth L. Adelman David A. Brody* Washington, D.C. James B. Adler Melvin S. Cohen Pamela Peabody, Washington, D.C. Stephen E. Allis James F. Fitzpatrick Eden Rafshoon, Washington, D.C. Jeffrey D. Bauman V. Sue Molina Thomas Stepp, South Carolina Heidi L. Berry Emily Malino Scheuer* Patrick Stewart, England Stephen F. Black Mrs. Louis Sullivan Edward S. Walker, Jr. and Leslie A. Jump, E.H. Corrigan Daniel W. Toohey Washington, D.C. Ralph