{Lenox, Mass}—On the strength of a widespread showing of support from the community, Shakespeare & Company has just received an $800,000 challenge grant from the Kresge Foundation. The funds were released after the Company raised an additional $1.5 million bringing its $10 million Capital Campaign, launched at its 30th Anniversary Gala in May 2007, to a successful conclusion. The centerpiece of the Campaign has been the creation of the Bernstein Center for the Performing Arts, a production center including state of the art rehearsal studios, new scene and property shops, and the Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre.
The push to meet the Kresge challenge was embraced by the patrons of the Company’s record-breaking 2009-2010 season, who rose to the occasion to make gifts both large and small. The Kresge challenge provoked unprecedented financial support from first-time donors: over 900 individuals contributed to the effort, including 400 first-time donors to S&Co.
“Our friends in the community stood by us when we needed them most. On behalf of Shakespeare & Company’s trustees, overseers, and staff, I want to thank everyone who pitched in and gave us their support, allowing us to reach this milestone. Our relationship, as an organization, with generations of students, students of acting, and lovers of theatre is truly a remarkable one. S&Co.’s mission at its core is a community endeavor, and that is borne out by the support that enabled us to receive this Kresge challenge grant. We couldn’t have done this without the strong leadership and tireless efforts of long-time trustees and Campaign Co-Chairs, Michael A. Miller and Dorothy Weber,” said Richard A. Mescon, chairman of S&Co.’s board of trustees. Continue reading ‘Shakespeare & Company receives Kresge Foundation $800,000 Challenge Grant’
