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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-10-2016 - City Arts Commission - 03 Correspondence and PressCORRESPONDENCE AND PRESS Dear Commissioner Greer, Please plan for SBTS to come to Newport this season. My children and I have been reading some Shakespeare at home, and it would be a great disappointment not to be able to attend a nearby performance after that. Sincerely, Nicole Higginbotham Dear Commissioner Greer, Please support the long standing artistic talents of Shakespeare By The Sea in their wonderful productions of the master's plays. These productions bring the community together on warm summer evenings for laughter and all around good wholesome fun. Thank you for considering reinstating SBTS. Sincerely, Barbara Young Dear Commissioner Greer, My wife and I look forward to attending Shakespeare by the Sea every year. We have a house pool about which plays will be performed, and the loser buys dinner. Attending the events are a priority in our schedule. It is a joy not only to see all the other attendees have a great time, but seeing the families with the children being educated about great art. Therefore, we were so disappointed to see that it may be going away. Please do whatever you can to keep Shakespeare by the sea, and culture, in Newport. Thank you – Larry Singer Dear Commissioner Greer, I am a Long Beach resident and enjoy the many splendid summer activities our city hosts. It's such a shame to hear that your city has decided against the arts for your community. If the people of Newport Beach enjoy the Shakespeare performances by Shakespeare by the Sea half as much as my friends and I do, then it's well worth the consideration to keep these performance as part of your city's contribution to the arts. Yours truly, Rick Anthony Dear Commissioner Greer, I apologize for the nuisance that my request (along with the possibility of others') may cause, but this is a matter that is rather important to me. My name is Honglan. I am 16 years old, and had the opportunity to volunteer for Shakespeare by the Sea last summer with an dear friend of mine. I can tell you honestly that it was one of my favorite experiences this summer. As you may know, anywhere from hundreds to over 1000 people show up to EACH of these free shows throughout the summer. I remember seeing how much the kids were having. I remember one pointing out the "funny man in the green paint". Young couples and old couples would come out together on dates; it was really cute. It struck me how these shows genuinely appealed to members in the community of ALL ages. Families came out together to these shows—children giggling and grandparents/parents chatting. The Newport Beach showing typically draws some of the largest audiences SBTS shows get. A valuable portion of the funds and donations obtained from the Newport Beach shows would be lost if we are not able to make them happen this summer. Please reconsider your decision regarding the matter. I love these summer shows personally, as many SoCal locals would agree. As a 16-year-old who still depends on her mother for transportation, I don't regret any of the time and effort it took me to participate in putting on these shows. The actors and actresses are genuinely talented and lovely people, many of which are aspiring theater majors. I think it's wonderful that we as a community can show support to these young performers, who dedicate their summers to bringing Shakespeare to the cities. And after all, SBTS has always been free. Who can hate that? Sincerely, Honglan Le Dear Commissioner Greer, I am not even a citizen of Newport Beach but from the San Fernando Valley, and yet I urge you to keep Shakespeare By The Sea on your Summer arts schedule. They are an invaluable artistic asset to all of Southern California, and they consider Newport Beach an anchor city of support in Orange County. I don't think we can afford to lose SBTS in any So Cal city, because it could start a domino effect. Instead, we need the reverse to happen, and for more and more cities and towns to add them to their Summer arts schedules. I hope you will reconsider adding them back to your schedule for the upcoming season of Summer 2016. SBTS is a fantastic group, the best Shakespearians in all of Southern California! Thanks in advance for reconsidering. Adam from Northridge Dear Commissioner Greer, Hope this communication finds you well. Commissioner, I have performed for the last two years with Shakespeare by the Sea and I have to tell you it has been the highlight of my last two summers. Also, some of my closest friends specifically come to Newport to see the show due to your lovely surroundings. I have precious pictures of myself and their kids on stage right in the Newport location. One of the best comments I would always cherish is an incident where one of the parents, who I know very well, brought their 4 year old daughter to see the show and he stated that his daughter does not even sit still in a movie theatre to see the best animated shows yet she stood enthralled for two plus hours watching all the actors perform Shakespeare on stage. Not to mention, it was her first time ever seeing Shakespeare performed live!!!! Just think, her life and attention span changed forever at a Shakespeare show in Newport Beach!!!! Commissioner, this alone by itself, is reason to keep Shakespeare by the Sea coming to Newport. Your support of this venture has touched many lives young and old and that one example above proves to you the affect the shows have in your community . Think of how many other 3, 4, 5 and 6 year olds are touched and educated every year by these shows. I would like to end with Sonnet 18 in the hopes that it touches your life as much as it has touched mine and millions of people around the world. Sonnet 18 "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate: Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, And summer's lease hath all too short a date". Please keep Shakespeare by the Sea in Newport Beach. Sincerely, G. Anthony Joseph Actor / Producer Dear Commissioner Greer, My son Gerard is an actor and producer and has said how much he loves and appreciates being part of the Summer Festival. I hope that you are able to continue your Shakespearean experience for the good people of Newport Beach. Thank you Very sincerely Janette Joseph Stevensville, MD Dear Commissioner Greer, I have attended Shakespeare by the Sea performances in the varied NB venues for over 10 years. Usually with family, often with out of town guests. I take them to the peninsula, Fashion Island and for a late fabulous lunch in Newport before the performance. Occasionally, we end up at another restaurant after. I live in Irvine and work in CDM, I love bringing guests to NB for SBtS. Please keep my summer complete Linda Seaney Dear Commissioner Greer, I understand that Newport has decided against bringing Shakespeare by the Sea back this summer. I urge you to reconsider. I've gone to the event every year since I learned of it, and I always look forward to it, and marvel at how many people attend each performance, including children, families, and college students. Giving them the opportunity to experience Shakespeare in such an accessible and fun way can only benefit your constituents. Additionally, it inspires future lovers of literature! I've had friends bring younger siblings to a performance by Shakespeare by the Sea, which sparked his interest in Shakespeare. In my opinion, the loss of these performances would be a great and disappointing one. Again, please reconsider hosting Shakespeare by the Sea this summer 2016. Thank you for your time, Micaela Rodgers Dear Commissioner Greer, Please keep it! Dear Commissioner Greer, Two years ago, Manhattan Beach dropped Shakespeare by the Sea from its arts schedule. But once residents learned of that decision, there was an outpouring of support for the popular, free summer theatre program. Once the city council was aware of residents’ feelings, the decision was reversed. We are so happy to have Shakespeare by the Sea back in our community, and I believe your constituents will feel the same way. The cost to the city is minimal, and the benefits are beyond measure. Michele Reniche Manhattan Beach Resident Dear Commissioner Greer, As a long time attendee and supporter of Shakespeare by the Sea, I would like to suggest that you “maintain the tradition” of having Shakespeare performed in your fine City! The Bard would appreciate your commitment to the Arts! Sincerely, Rob Friedrich and Sharon Houston Dear Commissioner Greer, It's disheartening to hear that Newport Beach is not planning to support Shakespeare by the Sea this year. We are long time NB residents and have been going to these performances for years, back to the days when they were held in Grant Howald Park. The performances are fabulous and I haven't seen the like for quality and value. I understand resources are limited, but these events are high quality, enriching and family friendly. I have been a financial supporter of the organization for years because I value what they offer. I have been proud that the city stood behind the organization as well, putting my local tax dollars to good use. I do hope you will reconsider and support Shakespeare by the Sea so that SBTS can offer our friends and neighbors another year of the Bard's timeless plays in our city. Sincerely, 2135 Vista Laredo Dear Commissioner Greer, Please do not discontinue SBTS in Newport Beach for 2016. It is an integral part of the arts offerings for those of us that are on the lower income scale. Thank you for your consideration. Diane Tholin Santa Ana, CA Dear Commissioner Greer, This event is widely regarded as one of the only free cultural events held in this part of the county and is strongly attended. Please don't stop this. Our kids need to know there is more to entertainment than the Kardashians! Thanks, Noreen Hitchcock Dear Commissioner Greer, What an unfortunate decision to not include Shakespeare By the Sea in your Summer plan. It is a wonderful and inexpensive way to introduce great culture and literature to young and young at heart alike. It was while attending a SBTS performance of Romeo and Juliet that my young children discovered a taste for his plays. My son, now a HS freshman, surprised and impressed his teacher with his knowledge of Shakespeare works. Please reconsidered your decisions . Sincerely , Kathy Lewis Dear Ms. Greer, Please include Shakespeare by the Sea in your summer programming. My 8 year old daughter's greatest passion is Shakespeare (yes, really!) and she will be very sad to not be able to go this year. Thank you! Alex Noyes Dear Commissioner Greer, Please, please reconsider your decision not to allow SBTS in 2016. We are always so impressed with the diverse selection of entertainment here in Newport Beach and watching Shakespeare performed under the stars is part of that wonderful mix. I think it would be a huge loss to Newport Beach. Thank you for reading this. Sincerely, Eila Ulyett ************************************************************************************ Response to emails: Hi Isabelle, I will pass your comments to Chair Greer and the City Arts Commission. Unfortunately, the crux of the issue is funding; as budgets remain static, costs for programming, staging, and production increase. Hopefully the Arts Commission and City staff can identify a way to satisfy public demand for Shakespeare in a cost effective manner. Your support is much appreciated. Best regards, Tim Hetherton.