Dear Friend,

Shakespeare is a poet in touch with the power of place. His characters often embark on a journey from the court to the woods, from the pressures of politics and commerce to the clarity and possibilities of the natural world, a place where a process of discovery and transformation can take root. The Hudson River Valley is such a place, and it has been a wellspring of inspiration to poets, painters, writers, and musicians since long before Henry Hudson sailed on the tidal estuary then known as Mohicanituck.

The power of place has shaped the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival for over three decades. And now, for the first time, our theater will have a permanent, year-round home in the heart of the Hudson Highlands: Philanthropist Chris Davis has conveyed over 98 acres of breathtaking river-view land to HVSF to be reimagined as an open-air theater campus with publicly accessible parkland, picnic space, trails, and a worldclass, LEED Platinum performance venue.

This is one of the most significant acts of generosity in the American theater in more than a generation. Not only is this a singular opportunity for our theater company, it will also enable us to serve as a vibrant hub for our local community, a year-round cultural anchor for the greater Hudson Valley region, and a model for environmental sustainability

“Said the river: imagine everything you can imagine, then keep on going.”

- Mary Oliver in the wider landscape of the American theater, as we re-imagine the performing arts for the post-pandemic era.

Mary Oliver is right: as it has for as long as anyone can remember, the river is asking us to open up our imaginations. Let’s heed that call by embracing the power of place and creating a space where the experience of nature and culture is available to everyone. We can’t do it without you. After reviewing Rooted: A Campaign for our Permanent Home, we hope you will join us on this journey.

Warmly,

Davis McCallum Artistic Director

Mission

Rooted in the landscape of the Hudson Valley, with the plays of William Shakespeare as our touchstone, HVSF engages the widest possible audience in a theatrical celebration of our shared humanity.