The Garden Bard

I am a year-round Door County resident and have had the good fortune to work two seasons for Door Shakespeare. Each year I have thought I would show the new company around Door County, but it usually turns out to be the other way around. While I spend my days playing with my son, cleaning house, and grocery shopping, these visitors take care of their daily chores as well as exploring all that Door County has to offer. “What did you do today?” is the way I usually greet my co-workers. And I am never disappointed by their response. Bringing back wonderful tales, my new friends renew my love for the place where I chose to live.

This summer, I am frequently reminded of what Door Shakespeare actor Patrick Halley announced to his friends as he left Chicago for a summer in Door County: “Gone for three months in Paradise.” When I first read his announcement, I smiled. And as I continue to think about his statement, I smile still. I live in paradise?

I first had an inkling Door County was a special place when I visited my parents here many years ago. What other county could possibly support not one, but two amazing YMCA facilities? Housing is affordable. Access to the water for boating and swimming abounds, and I look forward to cross-country skiing in the winter. But what really caught our eye, when my husband and I were trying to choose a place to raise our son, was the arts community. Whether it is a gallery, music festival, or a theatrical production, there is no other place in the world that offers what Door County does. And Door Shakespeare is a key element.

I think our company has an idea of how special this place is as well. Swimming, sailing, kayaking and sampling “every ice cream flavor in the county,” my castmates have been busy. And when I hear of another hidden treasure from my friends, these guests from Chicago, Milwaukee and Minneapolis have not only created beautiful theatre, they also have renewed my love for the place I live.

Each June, Door Shakespeare welcomes a company of 20 actors, directors, and designers. After three weeks of rehearsal, Door Shakespeare presents two pieces of classical theatre to Door County audiences. And this week, we say goodbye.

How many people does it take to run Door Shakespeare? Two hundred seventeen people have donated money. One hundred and one businesses purchased an ad in our playbill. Ten members of our board of directors volunteered time, treasure, and talent. Ninety-nine volunteers parked cars, showed people to their seats, poured coffee, and cleaned up after the shows. Three directors guided the company through the process of creating great theatre. Five designers drew, wrote and built to create the director’s vision of the play. Three managers made sure every aspect of the company ran smoothly. Three musicians added depth to the productions. And fourteen actors shared a part of their souls in order that we might see a part of our own.

So to all those people I say: Thank you very much. And please come back to paradise soon.

Amy Ensign is an actor at Door Shakespeare, and "The Garden Bard" is a rotating column written by various members of the Door Shakespeare company, including actors, musicians, and directors. Each column reflects on a different aspect of Door Shakespeare’s 2008 season, which ran through August 24 with A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Cyrano de Bergerac. Call 920. 839.1500, or visit http://www.doorshakespeare.com for more details.