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From our Leadership:

Dear Friends,

We’d love to tell you that the arts have always been beloved, well-funded, and fully supported by those in power... but that would be fiction. The truth is, since the days of Shakespeare, theatre and the artists who create it have faced the same battles we face today.

During Shakespeare’s time, theatre was often under attack from authorities, plague closures, religious leaders, and city officials who thought it was immoral, unsavory, or bad for public order. Theatres were closed due to outbreaks of plague for months (sometimes years!) at a time, and yet the plays persisted.

Shakespeare's company had to rebrand, reinvent, and find new patrons constantly, including pivoting to royal patronage under King James (hence The King's Men). There were even laws banning women from the stage, restrictions on what plays could be performed, and censorship through the Master of Revels.

And yet… the shows went on.

Fast forward 400+ years and here we are again. This season, Richmond Shakespeare—along with arts organizations across the country—has lost support from federal, state, and local governments. The challenges are real. But like Shakespeare himself, we will not lower our standards, compromise our art, or let these setbacks dim our passion.

In fact, we double down. We grab our swords, sharpen our verse, and bring you one of the greatest plays ever written—an epic tale of courage, love, honor, and the power of words to cut through the darkness.

Tonight, we welcome you into our courtyard theatre. Not just as spectators, but as partners in this grand, defiant act of art-making. Because the world needs beauty, laughter, romance, poetry, and yes—a little swordplay—now more than ever.

Thank you for standing with us. Let’s light up the night.

Onward,

James Ricks                  Jase Smith Sullivan

Artistic Director                Managing Director