Celebrating 30 Years of Shakespeare in the Park

Gaslight Theatre presents
30 Years of Shakespeare in the Park

By William Shakespeare

The History of

Shakespeare in the Park

Gaslight’s Shakespeare in the Park began in 1994 when several members of the Gaslight Theater Board of Directors (Dave Abbott, Carmen Ball, Catherine Johnston, & Mary McDonald) realized that Gaslight had the talent capable of presenting successful Shakespeare productions equal to those they had seen elsewhere.

In 1994, Gaslight chose the Government Springs Park hillside as an ideal location. Through a partnership with the City of Enid and Friends of Government Springs and local financial sponsors, the first play was presented free as a gift to the public. Much Ado About Nothing, directed by Mary McDonald, was presented in June,1995. The set was simple; actors performed in front of sheets speaking into microphones on stands. Much Ado drew audiences of over 1200 people. The City of Enid was so impressed with the attendance and this new use for Government Springs Park, that in 1996, the city added a Performance Pavilion for theatrical use. In 1996, Twelfth Night took place on that pavilion stage, again free to the public.

As Gaslight’s Shakespeare in the Park productions gained notoriety, additional funding has brought improvements: solid flats, floor microphones, headsets, improved light and sound boards, etc.

Throughout our 29 previous seasons, we have presented 19 different Shakespeare plays. More than 25,000 people have seen over 450 different actors cross this stage. Tonight’s performance of Hamlet, directed by Bailey Wilson, is our “Toast to 30 Seasons” of the longest-running free Shakespeare in Park in the state of Oklahoma!

Thank you for joining in our celebration!
Shakespeare 30th Committee

In Memory

And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest...

Dave Abbott – co-founder, actor, director
Mike Burk – set construction
John Chambers - actor
Bobbi Donaldson - actor
Susie Hume - assistant director
Wendy Hunter - actor
Mike Kilman - actor
Jim Nay- musician
Gene Riggs- set design, actor
Todd Smith - actor
Nick Sumpter - actor
Tammy Wilfong – actor

Photos

1995 - Much Ado About Nothing

1997 - MacBeth

1998 - As You Like It

1999 - Hamlet

2001 - Taming of the Shrew

2002 - Romeo and Juliet

2003 - A Midsummer Night's Dream

2004 - The Merchant of Venice

2004 - 10th Anniversary Reunion

2004 - The Merchant of Venice

2005 - A Comedy of Errors

2006 - King Lear

2007 - Love's Labours Lost

2008 - Richard III - teen pre-show

2008 - Richard III

2009 - The Tempest

2010 - Julius Caeser

2011 - MacBeth

2012 - Antony and Cleopatra

2013 - Much Ado About Nothing

2014 Marked Our 20th Anniversary of Shakespeare in the Park

2014 - Hamlet

2015 - Othello

2016 - Taming of the Shrew

2017 - Titus Andronicus

2018 - Romeo and Juliet

2019 - A Midsummer Night's Dream

2020 - Twelfth Night

2021 - Juluis Caesar

2021 - The Tempest

2022 - MacBeth

2023 - Hamlet

Multimedia

2016 - Taming of the Shrew - An interview with "Kate" and "Petruchio"

2017 - Titus Andronicus - A promo video of "Maria"

Shakespeare 30th Celebration Committee

Mary McDonald, chair

Frank Baker

Carmen Ball

Tiffany Harvey

Jake Krumwiede

Karen Loughman

Heather Palmer

Catina Ley Sundvall

Bailey Wilson

Donors

Very Special Thank You to our

Shakespeare in the Park

Thanks to Additional Supporters

Muncy Photography
Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center
Enid Symphony Orchestra
Phillip Whitaker Photography
Enid News & Eagle
Joshua Good
Michael Dotson
Dr. Daniel Washburn

Guestbook

Tell us your memories of Shakespeare in the Park!

30 Years of Shakespeare in the Park

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The History of

Shakespeare in the Park

In Memory

And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest...

Sponsors

Photos

Multimedia

Shakespeare 30th Celebration Committee

Shakespeare 30th Celebration Committee

Donors

Very Special Thank You to our

Shakespeare in the Park

Financial Sponsors

Thanks to Additional Supporters

Guestbook

Sponsors