As we reflect on the past year, we are thrilled to share what we are most thankful for—and you are at the top of the list.  Your investment in the ASC brings Shakespeare alive through the melodies in our music, through the confidence of our campers to stand with professional actors on the Blackfriars stage, and through our daring to dream bigger.

We thank you for your support and promise to do our part, working hard to recover the joys and accessibility of Shakespeare’s theatre, language, and humanity.

Here are a few of the ways your gifts made a difference this year.

Leadership in Action

This year, we welcomed our first new artistic director since our founding, internationally acclaimed director Ethan McSweeny.  His vision is to position the ASC as a cutting-edge, innovative organization while keeping a firm commitment to original practices.

In support of that vision, the outgoing chair of the ASC Board of Directors, Chris Little, has made a $100,000 matching gift.  Your donation will count as double if you make a gift before New Year’s Day.  Help us meet Chris’s extraordinary challenge and support bringing more Shakespeare to more people in 2019.

ASCTC: Making Dreams come true

The American Shakespeare Center Theatre Camp combines performance training and academic exploration to give Campers the skills and confidence to perform Shakespeare with their peers on the Blackfriars stage.  This year we invited two outstanding campers to come back and perform at the ASC Gala alongside their idols from the resident troupe.  Your support of ASC education provides ASCTC scholarships, salaries for talented teaching artists, and underwriting for teachers to participate in vital training.

Music for All

Music is the heartbeat of the American Shakespeare Center.  As you settle into your seat before showtime, ASC music adds entertainment and relevance to our performances.  This year, your generosity provided music lessons, guitar strings, and sheet music plus a brand new set of orchestral chimes and a sturdy new bass case to accompany our Touring Troupe on the road.  Our melodic rings, dings, and pings are notes of gratitude to all of you who have supported making our music come alive.