Organization/Company Narrative and Mission Statement
Use the following questions/prompts to help define your organization/company.
1. What is your organization or company. Give background history including who, when, and why it was founded.
I have decided to work on the logo for Free Shakespeare in the Park as they have been using this particular image for close to 15 years. The current Producing Artistic Director, Sharon S`elove, is Free Shakes’ founder. Sharon is originally from New York but while living in Eugene at the time of the Thurston High School Shooting, in May of 1998, she decided to contribute to the Eugene/Springfield community by creating a theatre program that will allow area youth to have safe place to work with adults and bring a little bit of New York to Eugene. The first performance took place in the summer of 1999 and currently the focus of the program is educating high school students and providing an opportunity to earn community service credits.
2. What do they do or make – describe the products and services and what makes them unique.
Free Shakespeare in the Park is unique in that they are dedicated to only producing one of Shakespeare’s works every summer and to performance free so that it is accessible to everyone in our community. Free Shakes gives community service credits to high school students and has worked with college students to earn co-op or independent study credits.
3. Describe the culture of the organization or company. What is the work environment like – the atmosphere? What is the building like – exterior/interior, architecture, fittings and furniture? How do the employees work together? What are the jobs and roles of individuals? How are they treated by management?
Our culture is very non-profit community theatre. Sharon has directed 12 out of the 16 shows produced and wears many hats; Public Relations, Development, Community/Education Outreach, Human Resources, Accounts Payable, etc. As of last summer, I stepped into the role of Arts Administrator/Social Media Content Contributor to help alleviate some of her duties and to explore a different position within the company. My experience with the company is that we are allowed autonomy but are always encouraged to seek help when needed. A sub-mission of the company is to allow participants to grow with Free Shakes. Example: I started out as a stage manager but I have been a production assistant, understudy, director, and actor. There is opportunity for horizontal and vertical growth and we keep theatre fun! If is not fun, then why are we there?
Where we rehearse and perform at is Building C of the Amazon Community Center. (See image below) We provide out own set pieces and have acquired a good chunk of sound equipment in the last two years. Amazon does allow us the use of a sound mixing board, 2 speakers, a 3 clothes racks, but we have to bring in our costumes, props, or any additional lighting equipment.
4. Who is the targeted audience? What are their demographics?
The target audience is anyone and everyone! People who want to picnic in the last summer sun and see a play at no cost to them. We typically see families or older adults, but there is no target demographic we cater to. We have not done a production in another language like Spanish or American Sign Language, but if we ever decided to seek out those members of our community, we will do what we can to have them feel included.
5. What is the organization or company mission statement?
(Taken from the group’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FreeShakespeareinthePark/info)
Our Mission is to bring FREE to the public an annual summer production of one of William Shakespeare’s plays, in an outdoor setting, casting local teens, adults and youth, We perform weekends in August using traditional techniques, we believe that the ephemeral and cathartic nature of theatre has healing and unifying powers vital to humankind.
Free Shakespeare in the Park is a non-profit community theatre company and a Lane Arts Council member. Founded in 1999 by Artistic Producing Director Sharon Se’love, in collaboration with Amazon Community Center, Free Shakespeare in the Park produces and persents an annual summer production of one of William Shakespeare’s plays on the south lawn at Amazon Park at 2700 Hilyard St. in Eugene Oregon every weekend in August begining at 6:00PM
Bring a picnic, blanket, low beach chairs, family, and friends, and join us for an evening of fun in beautiful Amazon Community Park, 2700 Hilyard Street in Eugene, Oregon.
Free Shakespeare in the Park is committed to arts education through our mentorship/intern program, Creating Ensemble, which matches experienced artists with student artists. Students are provided with guidance during rehearsals and receive community service credits upon completion of the program”