Dear Friends of WSC,
We’re very pleased about our “New Stage” for the 2013 Season at Alternatives at the Old Whitin Mill.
See the “News” Page for one early design image.
More later about why it’s being called “The New Napkin Stage”…for now at least. The company can’t wait to see how the new stage affects the ways they move and speak Shakespeare’s words. Because the stage is based on archeological and scholarly investigations for stages of the period, we truly hope it will help our productions “come alive” in new ways.
From previous years writings…
Based on your support , Worcester Shakespeare Company is once again committed to a 2012 summer season.Even though difficult times continue for all of us, we feel bringing Shakespeare to Central Massachusetts is vital.
In order to simply survive, however, the company has had to make difficult decisions. We have had to move our performance location from our beloved Memorial Grove in Green Hill Park this year (we hope to return).And, we have had to scale back to a single production rather than our traditional two.The resources–both financial and among the personnel of the company—simply were not available this summer.
While such decisions have caused some sadness, we truly believe the “Alternatives” we have found to allow us yet another season will be worthy of your continued support.
The partnership with “Alternatives” at the Whitinsville Mill has given us a performance venue that is, to my mind, magnificent.Once you visit the setting and experience performances there, I think you’ll agree that there are aspects of the site that equal the “magic” in Green Hill Park.
The choice of Shakespeare’s Othello as the single production was a direct result of what the Piazza of the Alternatives complex offers us.The buildings, the piazza and adjacent river all suggest that most serene city, Venice.Therefore: “Othello, the Moor of Venice.”True, I’m a little sad that our traditional second production–an effort to speak directly to our younger and more madcap audience members—has been temporarily scuppered.Again, we hope in subsequent seasons to return to this important goal.At the same time, however, the more “adult” themes of Othello will maintain WSC’s reputation as a serious and worthy Shakespeare Company; the equal of any anywhere.
Add to that the possibilities offered by the 125 seat indoor Singh Performance Center immediately adjacent to the piazza performance space and we will no longer be subject to the fickleness of the weather.
I’m also told that mosquitoes are not allowed in Whitinsville.
WSC is continuing its search for an additional performance venue in downtown Worcester.Worcester is—and always will be—considered our home.We certainly will carry that name no matter where we mount our productions.We therefore trust that “Worcesterites” will continue to consider us theirs.And that a few extra minutes travel will not deter them from continuing to be a member of our family.
Mel Cobb
