The Shakespeare League
"Gently to Hear, Kindly to Judge"
Our 2010 Fundraiser |
In 1927, the Shakespeare League was established as the junior division of the Shakespeare Club for daughters and nieces of Club members. These young women wrote skits to perform for the Club, eventually expanding their talents to include original theatrical productions which they opened to the public. The League's endeavors were officially designated a benefit in 1946 and Broadway musicals were produced yearly with tickets sold to friends, family and the public. Proceeds were disbursed to various worthy charities. Today, League members are a diverse group of women. Each year, with their Annual Benefit, they join together to preserve American musical theater as an art form and, in the process, help those in our community who are less fortunate. |
In recent years, the Shakespeare League Benefits have become semi-professional productions involving an entire year of planning and preparation. Under professional direction and choreography and with professional sets and orchestra, League members, husbands, and friends volunteer thousands of rehearsal, production, and promotion hours to bring the show to the public. In 1993, the Shakespeare League was honored by the Pasadena Arts Council with their Gold Crown Community Service Award for the Performing Arts in recognition for its contribution to the community.
This year the League selected two worthy Pasadena organizations serving a variety of populations and needs:
- SUSAN G. KOMEN FOR THE CURE
- Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure and launched the global breast cancer movement. Today, Komen for the Cure is the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world.
- PASADENA RONALD McDONALD HOUSE
- The Pasadena Ronald McDonald House provides a community supported "home away from home" for families coming into Pasadena seeking advanced medical treatment for their critically or terminally ill children.
The needs and missions of these organizations have touched the heart of the Shakespeare League and will share equally in the benefit proceeds of the 2009 benefit production.
This website created and maintained by Candace L. Campbell
Last updated: March 28, 2008
