Bard-a-thon 2008
48 Hours of Non-Stop Shakespeare
September 5 - 7, 2008
"Bard till you Barf"
Welcome to the 48 hour extravaganza we like to call the Bard-a-thon. September 5 - 7, 2008 we are going to raise $5,000 by reading Shakespeare for 48 hours straight, and we want you to join us.
Click here for shortcuts to: How to get involved; The schedule of plays; FAQ; Vote for the 2007-2008 Alley Awards !
Readers can also download information in pdf form here: sponsor sheet, information page 1, information page 2
The Bard-a-thon is a fundraiser to support the 2008-2009 Season. Just like a walk-a-thon or crop walk, participants will ask their family and friends to sponsor them. But instead of walking, we're reading 12 Shakespeare plays in 2 days, beginning Friday night and running continuously through Sunday evening. The Bard-a-thon kicks off Friday night with the 2nd Annual Alley Awards, honoring the Best of NCSC. Voting begins soon!
How to get involved
- Be a reader! Ask your family and friends to sponsor you by the play or by the hour. Don't worry if you can't read for 48 hours straight, just do as much as you can (but Charlie Flynn-McIver says he's doing the entire thing, and challenges anyone to match him!). We're offering prizes for the person who reads the longest, raises the most money, and signs up the most sponsors. Sign up day is Saturday August 2nd, 10am - 3pm, so if you've always wanted to read a particular role, be the first to sign up! For more information, contact Amanda Leslie at amanda@ncstage.org.
- Be a business sponsor! Make a donation of cash, or an in-kind donation of food, beverages, printing services, publicity and more! Your donation will support the programs of NC Stage, and we'll proudly put your logo on our website, flyers, and the official Bard-a-thon T-shirt (oh yeah, you bet there's going to be a T-shirt).
- Be an audience member! What's a performance without an audience? All tickets to the Bard-a-thon are completely free. See schedule below for show times. If you can't make it to the theatre, watch the readings on the live feed in our Haywood Street window, or streaming live on the web.
- Be a volunteer! If the thought of public speaking gives you hives, don't worry - we'll need a lot of help during the Bard-a-thon, selling concessions, seating patrons, and general errand-running. Contact Amanda Leslie if you want to help out in non-Shakespeare-reading ways.
Get your bard on September 5 - 7, 2008
Friday
7 pm Alley Awards and Kick-off
8 pm The Comedy of Errors
Saturday
12 am The Winter's Tale
4 am Macbeth
8 am Measure for Measure
12 pm Richard III
4 pm The Tempest
8 pm Much Ado About Nothing
Sunday
12 am Midsummer Night's Dream
4 am Titus Andronicus
8 am Love's Labour's Lost
12 pm Othello
4 pm Twelfth Night
FAQ
Q: Why should I give you my hard-earned money?
A: Because we're nice? Actually, NC Stage is a non-profit organization, and ticket sales do not even begin to cover the costs of producing professional theatre. Since 2001, NCSC has spent over $1 million in the community, served over 18,000 WNC students with residencies and performances, and supported 27 other performing arts groups through the Catalyst Series. The fine print: North Carolina Stage Company is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. All donations are tax-deductible. Sponsors must give their full name and mailing address to receive a tax receipt.
Q: Is the goal to read every Shakespeare Play?
A: Gosh no; we only have 48 hours! But each play on the schedule will be read in its entirety.
Q: How often will the plays begin (how do I know what time to show up)?
A: Play readings will begin at the top of the hour every 4 hours. Check the master schedule for specific times. We will build in bathroom breaks, and concessions will be for sale in the lobby.
Q: I'm reading a role, should I use my Arden, my Yale, my Riverside, my etc.?
A: If you want. But please do bring a script - we will not have scripts on hand. We are suggesting you download the versions at shakespeare.mit.edu so we will have greater consistency across versions.
Q: Can I wear a costume / Do I have to wear a costume?
A: Absolutely, yes / No, but wouldn't it be fun?
Q: How much will it cost my mom to watch?
A: Not a thing. All attendance is free. But please get her to sign your sponsor form!