Challenging Door Shakespeare to “Live Simply”

“Instead of buying materials to build sets, we let the architecture and natural beauty of Bjِrklunden be the focal point of our plays.” Photo by Katie Sikora.

July 5th marks the opening of Door Shakespeare’s 2013 season, a season that has welcomed many changes. This was the first season produced under my direction, and I have been calling on all of my past experience, training, and artistic mentors for inspiration. What some might not expect is that one of my most influential touchstones is not a theatre company, but the outdoor retailer Patagonia.

I managed a Patagonia store in the heart of New York City’s SoHo district for several years and the time spent with that company was foundational in terms of my training as a leader. Patagonia’s core values include making the best product while causing the least environmental harm. They urge their customers to “live simply.” They are completely transparent and honest with their business practices. They promote an atmosphere of innovation and inspiration. Most importantly, they work tirelessly to create a culture of people who believe in their mission. The philosophy of Patagonia has been in the back of my mind at all times as I work with Door Shakespeare and have the opportunity to decide and define how this organization can best evolve.

The past year of transitioning leadership has provided a golden opportunity to examine how we work and create theatre in the Garden at Björklunden. The first call back to my days working with Patagonia was purely being honest. Door Shakespeare is a growing theatre company still in need of the tools that will enable our artists to make the best theatre possible while also making the strongest commitment to the community. The only way we can acquire these tools and evaluate how we can best serve the local community is to be brave enough to ask. To all of our “asks,” the Door Shakespeare community of donors, patrons, and supporters have generously responded.

Patagonia has inspired me to challenge Door Shakespeare to “live simply.” Instead of buying materials to build sets, we let the architecture and natural beauty of Björklunden be the focal point of our plays. We spent hours with volunteers, interns, and directors cleaning out our storage garage as well as our costume shop to repurpose what was already there. The plays are also adapted and cut so that we can do the best service to the stories with the resources we have. We are focusing on the story telling and highlighting that focus by simplifying the spectacle that can sometimes be associated with classical theatre.

I remember the founder of Patagonia, Yvon Choiunard, being asked why the company didn’t branch out and make tents, sleeping bags, and other outdoor hard goods. His answer was that Patagonia wasn’t about making a whole bunch of stuff, it was about making a few things exceptionally well.

Door Shakespeare is performing ‘Macbeth’ this season, utilizing nature for the set. Photo by Jasson Fassl.

That is what I want for Door Shakespeare. To produce Shakespeare’s plays and produce them exceptionally well. I am grateful to have a team of innovative designers, actors, and directors on board this season to push the limits of how we produce theatre in the gift of a space we call the Garden at Björklunden.

Most importantly, everyone at Door Shakespeare is committed to creating a culture of theatregoers that believe in the power of the work we do. We have devised new programming to encourage people to come early, stay late, learn about the plays and join the conversation. The atmosphere we have created in the Garden this season promises to be inviting, communal, and festive. We have rearranged our seating configuration to bring the audience closer to the plays. The performances and programming will bring the process and context of the plays closer to the audience. In addition, our commitment to being present in the off-season will also help create this culture of theatregoers and perhaps a culture of future theatre-makers.

I will keep calling back on my time with Patagonia as Door Shakespeare continues to define itself and progress. I hope that the culture of Door Shakespeare grows to be like that of Patagonia. A culture of inspiration, challenge, effort, and fearlessness for what we are most passionate about. We are all very proud of this season and look forward to seeing you in the Garden!

Door Shakespeare will present Love Labour’s Lost on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and Macbeth on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from July 5 – Aug. 17 in the Garden at Bjorklunden located near Baileys Harbor. For more information or to purchase tickets call 920.839.1500 or visit http://www.doorshakespeare.com.

Peninsula Arts and Humanities Alliance, Inc., is a coalition of non-profit organizations whose purpose is to enhance, promote and advocate the arts, humanities and natural sciences in Door County.