“Our working philosophy aims to make each show memorable... to transcend the limits of Second Life, to really reach out to people... everywhere.”
— Ina Centaur, Artistic Director
© 2010 Ina Centaur
Blackfriars Theatre seats 100— beneath its hammerbeam roof, intimate shows are staged on a quintessentially Elizabethan stage, with audience members on stools, benches, or terraced box-seating. Foundation supported by rib-vaulting, to construct the entire monastery building that Shakespeare’s indoor theatre was originally set in.
SL Globe Theatre seats 400— this 4-sim open-air amphitheatre with three gallery floors, and a pit with plenty of standing room is where SL theatre history is made.
Founded in 2007, the Metaverse Shakespeare Company (MSC), formerly known as the SL Shakespeare Company, a.k.a., SLSC, is the first and only professional theatrical production troupe set completely in the virtual world of Second Life (SL).
the essence... Created by legendary theatrical talent and guided by formidable scholarship, the Metaverse Shakespeare Company (MSC) makes immersive experiences for its virtual theatrical productions, setting standards in both artistic direction and technological innovation.
Actors posing for a photo: Lucianus, Player Queen and Player King in Hamlet: Act 3, Scene 2—”The Mousetrap,” Spring 2008 Season, live at the 4-Sim SL Globe Theatre
Thousands of hours put into every miniproduction—meticulous dramaturgy, coordinated rehearsals, custom wardrobe and avatar design, as well as scenic design, props, and more.
Repertoire of Shakespeare, the way he ought to be done—as well as contemporary and modern plays.
A new technological innovation introduced with every new production— from multi-language subtitle systems to lag-resistant stage configurations.
Performed by real professional actors, in the spirit of live theatre—we live for the essence of the live show.
Designed to bring wonder and an unforgettable experience to any audience—our main canon productions are simply unmatchable.
Anyone, anywhere in the world with an Internet and SL-ready computer can see our shows.
Beyond virtual theatre, Metaverse Shakespeare Company is curator of some of Second Life’s most historically accurate theatres and architecture relating to William Shakespeare.
The Blackfriars Theatre on Shakespeare sim is constructed from to-scale diagrams, the culmination of meticulous scholarship and deductive research in creating the world’s most complete conjectural reconstruction of Shakespeare’s legendary indoor theatre—built inside a Dominican cathedral.
Metaverse Shakespeare Company’s SL Globe Theatre, Blackfriars Theatre, and Rose Theatre are constructed with deference to scholarship from a variety of reputable RL sources. The SL Globe Theatre holds a maximum audience possible in a locality on SL, with its 4-island sim setup. Old World meets New, Metaverse Shakespeare Company’s Shakespeare island sim features an elegant, island-sized layout that connects the Bard's houses in Shakespeare's Stratford-uponAvon with the theatres that presented his original plays.
Open to the public, the above venues are home to the Metaverse Shakespeare Company (MSC), where many of the MSC's productions first took place—from stage-sized versions in the Globe or Blackfriars, to sim-sized versions that showcased entire troupes of players gallivanting on skates in Shakespeare on Ice.
Your support would help keep our heartfelt tradition of Shakespeare, alive and thriving on SL. We are one of the few art sims dedicated completely to the arts left on SL—we are completely funded by your support.
With any donation amount in the following pages, you will receive a piece of fame, dedicated to you. For more philanthropic patrons, exclusive benefits include extremely-limited real estate in the Shakespeare island sim, as well as private shows, of your demand. And more...
An exhibit in the Shakespeare sim on SL features a virtual replica of the house that William Shakespeare was born in—part of an entire island that imaginatively combines in one locale all the major architecture of significance in Shakespeare’s lifetime.
Candle lighted in the public portion of the Bard's Birthplace virtual reconstruction on Shakespeare island All Pennies Patron Benefits
Name engraved on the SL Globe Theatre Patrons Wall Complimentary ticket to a VIP Performance, standing room in the groundlings
Seasonal Gift from the SL Globe Theatre Gift Shop Complimentary ticket to a VIP Performance, available seating in the galleries Name or Message “scratched” into a Globe Theatre gallery wall or Blackfriars Theatre wall as “official graffiti” Limited Edition SLSC pencil (Virtual Object) All Pennies Patron Benefits
Seasonal Gift from the SL Globe Theatre Gift Shop Complimentary ticket to a VIP Performance, available seating in the galleries Name or Message “scratched” into a Globe Theatre gallery wall or Blackfriars Theatre wall as “official graffiti” A cushion in public galleries reserved for you, seat engraved with your name All Pennies Patron Benefits
Custom Taglet Hanging on the revived Shakespeare's Mulberry Tree at New Place A Stepping Stone engraved with your name on Shakespeare island Complimentary ticket to a Behind the Scenes tour An item from our set, as selected by the Artistic Director All Pennies Patron Benefits
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Your name or message announced during our (mandatory preloading) preshows
Complimentary ticket to a Behind the Scenes tour
Complimentary SLSC skin from the SL Globe Theatre Gift Shop
An item from our set, as selected by the Artistic Director
All Galleries Patron Benefits
1 private SLSC "Solo Star" performance at your choice of venue*,**,*** 1-Page Ad in vShakespeare Magazine Participation in Strategic Management of Ticket Sales with Share of Profit Complimentary ad in programme or special thanks message in Credits All Galleries Patron Benefits
3 private SLSC "Solo Star" performances at your choice of venue*,**,*** Name and (initial) contribution engraved on a Globe Theatre Stone Participation in Strategic Management of Ticket Sales with Share of Profit Complimentary ad in programme booklet or special thanks message in Credits All Galleries Patron Benefits
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1 private Mini-Production at your choice of venue*,**,*** or “Single Show Dedication” Seat in Galleries adjacent to the stage (VIP Entry to Actors-Only Lag-free Sim) Sketch of your avatar in your choice of set by Artistic Director Exclusive Parcel Ownership on Highly-Coveted Shakespeare island sim for 12 months Box in Blackfriars Theatre (ad space/access control) or stall in Mistress Mall
Novelty Dedication Trinkets (See New Place Patron and Birthyear Patron) Lighted Birthplace Candle Engraved Stepping Stone Taglet on Mulberry Tree
All Bard's Muse Patron Benefits - including 3 private Solo-Star performances!
3 private Mini-Productions at your choice of venues*,**,*** 1 Exclusive Access Day to Shakespeare*** Exclusive Parcel Ownership on Highly-Coveted Shakespeare island sim for 12 months Box in the Blackfriars Theatre (ad space/ access control) or stall in Mistress Mall (50 prims) Novelty Dedication Trinkets (See New Place Patron and Birthyear Patron) Lighted Birthplace Candle Engraved Stepping Stone Taglet on Mulberry Tree Photography of your avatar in choice of SLSC wardrobe. (Clothing gratis!) All Bard's Muse Patron Benefits - including 3 private Solo-Star performances!
(cont’d)
7 private Mini-Productions at your choice of venues*,**,*** 3 Exclusive Access Day to Shakespeare*** Dedication of a Building in Shakespeare or sLiterary island or Hobby-Horse Automated Tour Guide Exclusive Parcel Ownership on Highly-Coveted Shakespeare island sim for 12 months Box in the Blackfriars Theatre (ad space/access control) or stall in Mistress Mall (50 prims) Novelty Dedication Trinkets (See New Place Patron and Birthyear Patron) Lighted Birthplace Candle Engraved Stepping Stone Taglet on Mulberry Tree Photography of your avatar in choice of SLSC wardrobe. (Clothing gratis!) All Bard's Muse Patron Benefits - including 3 private Solo-Star performances!
15 private Mini-Productions at your choice of venues*,**,*** 7 Exclusive Access Day to Shakespeare*** Dedication of a Building in Shakespeare or sLiterary island or Hobby-Horse Automated Tour Guide Exclusive Parcel Ownership on Highly-Coveted Shakespeare island sim for 12 months Box in the Blackfriars Theatre (ad space/ access control) or stall in Mistress Mall (50 prims) Novelty Dedication Trinkets (See New Place Patron and Birthyear Patron) Lighted Birthplace Candle Engraved Stepping Stone Taglet on Mulberry Tree Photography of your avatar in choice of SLSC wardrobe. (Clothing gratis!) All Bard's Muse Patron Benefits - including 3 private Solo-Star performances!
“Play on!” —Duke Orsino in Twelfth Night - Act 1, Scene 1 at The 4-Sim SL Globe Theatre * More information on Private Performances @ http://privateperformances.mshakespeare.com ** If you choose to have your show at your venue, permission to rez must be given to the troupe at least two weeks in advance. Officer/Estate manager privileges must be assigned to SLSC Tech, or you must provide griefer patrol. *** Booked at least 6 weeks in advance.
We value your support, and we aim to do things right: All Campaign results will be available, instantly, on http://Campaign.mShakespeare.com The usage of any public funds will be noted on http://Transparency.mShakespeare.com
Contribute to help us continue to contribute... Together, let us create what dreams may come‌
Please make all donations to the avatar named Shakespeare Timeless.