DULUTH SHAKESPEARE PROJECT
Who, What, Why
OUR MISSION:
Duluth Shakespeare Project is a performance group creating Old School Shakespeare (No Director, One Rehearsal, Serious Actors, in a Bar) with the aim of building solidarity amongst local communities through free events as well as by highlighting and raising money for local non-profits and charities.
We seek to support organizations that focus on building community infrastructure, serving vulnerable individuals, and addressing the needs of twin port locals.
All events are free to the public. All profits via donation are split between actors and one select non-profit that we feature every show.
We also seek to offer audiences the resources to learn how they can make a difference in their own communities
No Director doesn't mean no guidance. The Actors follow 6 key values that lead them through the work
-
Generosity: Give to the text, to the play, and to your scene partners
-
Clarity: Text must be spoken clearly. Ideas must be communicated clearly.
-
Authenticity: Say it in your own voice (No. Really.)
-
Velocity: Move at the speed of thought.
-
Actuality: Everything that happens in the bar becomes a part of the play
-
Courage: Jump in headfirst despite the fear.
It's not about perfection- quite the opposite actually. Old School Shakespeare is about reviving the bards text as it was created: Charged, fearless, light-hearted, and bountiful in spirit. Failure is a key part of it all. When the actors succeed, we cheer them on, and when they fail and call line, we yell "Huzzah!" and toast!
DSP is founded off of the ideas pioneered by The Backroom Shakespeare Project and the books My Life with the Shakespeare Cult and Blueprints for a Shakespeare Cult. We wish to pay tribute to those who came before us and proudly raise our glass to them!
What is Old School Shakespeare?
Joy-Filled, Rock and Roll, Ass-Kicking Theatre
All of Shakespeare's plays were performed for a crowd of clamoring, ravenous drunks. People came to watch a bunch of dogs fight a chained up bear and then stayed for whatever play was happening that night. It was a madhouse. The audience talked, cheered, boo'd, and a group of terribly brave actors worked together to tell a story.
This is what Shakespeare's plays were built for.
No Director, One Rehearsal, Serious Actors, In a bar. A group of couragous souls learn their parts, meet once to work it through, and then go to the bar and put on a damn show.
A lot of Shakespeare is produced nowadays with dividers between actors and audience, losing the charge that its origins had. This sucks. Let's fix that.
Solidarity Through Art
In the same way that the actors and audience couragously gather and support eachother through uncertain times, so must we all support eachother and our local communities. DSP is built upon this idea.
We are deeply proud to be a small part of the larger Twin Ports community. Our mission is not only to provide direct services to the community, but to circulate folks throughout other important organizations.
Just as each actor learns their part, courageously gets up on stage, and works together to create something, so must we all come together to make change in our communities.
Get Involved
See a Show
Whether you're a diehard fan of the bard or just someone who doesn't mind being in a crowd for an hour, we'd love to have you join us for a night of theatre! Admission is free, drinking is optional, and the plays are a lot of fun. Your support, whether financial or emotional, can make a palpable difference in your community.
Keep an eye out on our socials for when we're having our next show and we'll see you at the bar!
Partner With Us
All the money DSP makes via donations goes towards paying our brave actors and supporting our featured non-profits. By becoming a partner, you help us cover the cost of things like playbills, photographers, and this handy dandy website! In exchange, we help promote you and your work in our marketing, pre-show and post-show toasts, and maybe even in the show itself! Contact duluthshakespeareproject@gmail.com
and let's chat!
Donate Directly
If you'd like to donate or volunteer directly with one of the non-profits we've chosen to highlight, please take a look below to learn more about them.
Non-Profits to Highlight
We are proud to highlight several local Twin Ports non-profits that are providing meaningful services to the community. If you would like to directly support or learn more about any of them, please check them out below.
Safe Haven
"Offering temporary refuge for survivors of domestic violence, their children, and even their pets. We provide a safe, supportive environment with food, shelter, and 24/7 crisis support."
CHUM
"People of faith working together to provide basic necessities, foster stable lives, and organize for a just and compassionate community."
Head of the Lakes United Way
"Our Mission is to Strengthen our communities by uniting people and resources. Our vision is to strive to improve the health, education and financial stability of EVERY person in EVERY community we serve."
Second Harvest Northland
"Second Harvest Northland’s mission is to End Hunger Together in NE Minnesota and NW Wisconsin. We take a strategic approach to our work in partnership with our neighbors who have experienced hunger, our agency and community partners, volunteers, donors, employees and board of directors."
Let's Connect!
Want to partner with us? Want to get up and do some Shakespeare yourself? We would love to get to know you! Please fill out this form and we will be in touch.
Follow Us!
