Finding The Soul Of Stratford

Several months ago I was privileged to accompany David D. Reed (President of The Stratford Stage Group LLC) to a meeting with a very prominent local businessman, someone with longstanding interest in the arts, notably, the theatre, particularly, Shakespeare.  After a productive meeting as we stood to leave, he turned to Mr. Reed and exclaimed, “The Shakespeare Theatre is the soul of Stratford.”  I was quite taken with that thought, that statement.  We all were.  

The SaveOurShakespeare Group has produced a Public Forum (May 8th), manned a booth at The Stratford Day Festival (June 7th) and most recently, sponsored a Shakespeare Rally (July 11th) on the Theatre grounds.  These events were created to bring information and awareness to the citizenry and political leadership about our commitment to reestablish The American Shakespeare Festival Theatre and its grounds into a multi-purpose cultural facility and destination:  a 1,500-seat national festival theatre with an attendant Shakespeare Inn. 

It’s been thirty years since The American Shakespeare Festival Theatre in Stratford, CT has closed its doors.  For all this time, what was once the premiere Shakespeare theatre in North America, has languished, empty and forlorn, forgotten by its town of origin and by many in the audiences that once applauded the legendary entertainers and productions that graced its stage. 

If the town of Stratford is to find its soul once again, this legendary Theatre needs our attention, support and redevelopment.  At our Public Forum in May, the S.O.S. Group introduced the esteemed theatrical producer, director and developer, George C. White, the CEO of The Stratford Stage Group LLC and the co-author of its proposals to reestablish our iconic Shakespeare Theatre.  Mr. White was just featured this past week on CBS News Sunday Morning in his capacity as the Founder, Chairman and Developer of the Eugene O’Neil Theatre Center, Waterford CT.  Theatrical entrepreneur par excellence, Mr. White and his equally brilliant partners bring unparalleled leadership, expertise, experience and financing to this task.

The task is before us . . . let’s bring back to life the “Soul of Stratford” . . . The American Shakespeare Festival Theatre. 

Dan Wolgemuth                                                        S.O.S. Group