Henry IV, part II 2019, Production photo by Jennifer Crooks
WINTER
When icicles hang by the wall,
And Dick the shepherd blows his nail,
And Tom bears logs into the hall,
And milk comes frozen home in pail;
When blood is nipped, and ways be foul,
Then nightly sings the staring owl
“Tu-whit to-who.” A merry note,
While greasy Joan doth keel the pot.
When all aloud the wind doth blow,
And coughing drowns the parson’s saw,
And birds sit brooding in the snow,
And Marian’s nose looks red and raw;
When roasted crabs hiss in the bowl,
Then nightly sings the staring owl
“Tu-whit to-who.” A merry note,
While greasy Joan doth keel the pot.
~ Love’s Labours Lost Act 5, Scene 2
Though the wind doth blow and winter is upon the northern hemisphere, you can help GreenStage next summer by donating today.
Thanks to the support of audiences, sponsors, and donors, GreenStage’s 35th Season in 2023 brought 60 performances to over 20 public parks in and around Seattle. Shows were free to attend and were seen by over 8,000 area residents and visitors.
2023 also marked the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s First Folio, the initial collection of Shakespeare’s plays published in 1623. These plays remain relevant today due to their focus on human experiences that we can all identify with. By staging plays simply, GreenStage strives to highlight the humanity that Shakespeare so keenly depicted.
While our production values are simple, our expenses have increased. Continuing shortages and increasing costs present serious challenges for us and many other arts groups. GreenStage is an all-volunteer organization, with participants being paid a stipend to thank them for their time. Since 2020 we’ve increased stipends, invested in sound equipment to enhance performances, and this year vans were rented to transport shows – reducing our dependency on personal vehicles.
If just 100 people donate $100, we will reach our next goal of $10,000 for the 2024 season. Your gift of any size will help us to reach this goal, and to fulfill our mission to foster appreciation of theatre by eliminating financial and geographical barriers that impede access to the arts. Please consider a donation to keep the 2024 season on track.
Thank you!
