For the month of July each Challenge Detroit fellow had the opportunity to focus their time on an individual impact project. I was fortunate enough to receive the opportunity to work with Shakespeare in Detroit. Shakespeare in Detroit is a site-specific Shakespeare company that performs in the places where people live, work and play by creating high-quality theater. It’s been such an enjoyable experience working with the founding artistic director, Sam White, and the casts of both summer shows. I’ve had the opportunity to experience a first hand look at how a theatre company is run and all the hard work that it entails.

Over the past few weeks I have split my time between hands on production help and administrative/marketing help. I facilitated communications between the casts, directors and Sam and helped during performance days with whatever last minute things were needed. I also designed both summer show’s playbills and designed a suggested website template for future use.

Shakespeare in Detroit debuted two shows this summer, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Romeo and Juliet. I always love seeing a show from its beginning stages through to its performance. Watching how the cast developed through the weekly rehearsals and then bringing limitless energy during the performances was rewarding to observe. A Midsummer Night’s Dream was performed in New Center Park and attracted an 800 person audience! Shakespeare in Detroit’s mission to continue performing the works of Shakespeare throughout the city and emphasizing the importance of the performing arts is a huge passion of mine and is why I am continuing to stay on and help with Shakespeare in Detroit’s future performances.

Come see Shakespeare in Detroit’s encore performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream next Wednesday, August 6th, in Grand Circus Park at 7pm!

A Midsummer Night’s Dream, July 12th, New Center Park