AUDIENCE FEEDBACK - 2008 York Shakespeare Festival

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2008 SEASON

CONGRATULATIONS to the following persons who each won a pair of adult tickets to our 2009 York Shakespeare Festival, as a result of entering our Audience Survey DRAW:

Patti Aloise, Sharon, ON ♦ Abe E. Flohr, Thornhill, ON ♦ Vic LaCroix, Holland Landing, ON ♦ Bruce Whittkaer, Keswick, ON ♦ Sandra Wright, Newmarket, ON

A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who completed our survey. We'd like to share with you, a few comments received. Your feedback will help us in our planning for the 2009 festival.

In response to our question: How important is it to you to have access to performing arts events in your community (or region)?

"Although I have always enjoyed the performances I have seen at the Stratford Festival, I don't always have the time or the money to attend them. Having local performing arts events allows me to see more of them, and to expose my son to a variety of artistic experiences."

"Cultural events enrich the life of a community. Newmarket has a large emphasis on sporting events and I am delighted that Resurgence is back in full swing."

"I appreciate not having to drive to Toronto to attend cultural events. It enriches the life of our community to have something of this calibre here."

"Seeing such outstanding performances locally is so inspiring for our youth as well enjoyable for everyone. I commend you for providing such excellent theatre performances locally and thus making theatre available to all. Fairy Lake is the perfect setting for your play's and as a handicap person makes it is for me to access theatre close to home. I recommend all your play's to everyone. Keep up the good work !!"

"It is important that Newmarket have arts and culture at a high level. This is a good town but it is lacking the arts and culture aspect and needs to better compete with the city areas in diversity of arts and culture to keep people's money here."

"I grew up in UK and enjoyed theatre there for years, so it feels like an essential part of my life. I'm so delighted to have our own theatre here, and of such a high calibre."

In response to our question: As a public service, Resurgence Theatre Company offers performance skills and educational workshops for local schools involving some of our guest artists. How important is this to you?

"Children are the future of the arts."

"Giving young people a chance to take part in these workshops is a vitally important part of their education. Far too often the Arts take second place to sports and that isn't right."

"The creative arts are crucial to developing creative thinking which can be applied to not only personal growth & development but also to innovation and problem-solving for the world one lives in. We need to continue developing each generation's minds to encourage this. Creative arts bring understanding of the link to one's world and past generations, cultures & worlds. They help to develop a well rounded human being who can appreciate and participate in society."

"As a retired teacher, I have seen the impact made by artists coming into the schools. It often clarifies a goal for a student as well as giving them an appreciation for the skills involved in theatre."

"I feel all children need the opportunity in performing in plays or speaking recitals for experience, self esteem and confidence in themselves. Guidance and direction from these programs is very important at that age and sports are not for everyone. This would give all children an opportunity to find there niche. "

"I think it is of great importance to have our young people exposed to good theatre and to be given the opportunity to participate. Of all the theatres I attend all year the quality of the performers at the Resurgence Theatre Company is by far the highest, so our youth and in consequence ourselves benefit hugely from your involvement."

In response to our question: Overall, how can we make the York Shakespeare Festival a better theatre experience for you in the future?

"I would like the program to contain an overview of the play. I like to see Shakespeare every year, last year I think there was just one opportunity. Directors talk before the play was very interesting; would like to see that more often. "

"I'm very satisfied, so it's hard to answer. Maybe set up port-a-potties closer to the venue as an alternative to walking to the other ones. And more seating for people available during intermission."

"The venue was great. My only complaint and this is important - we need lighting in the upper parking lot. I could hardly find my car! "

"This year was the best ever. I love the new chairs. Addition of the bar was good. I think it is great the way it is."

"A little more variety in the snacks and refreshments would be great. I like that local bakers are involved and this could be expanded. "

"You've made a great effort to make the outdoor theatre experience positive and quite comfortable. The lighting was very effective. The sound was fine. The outdoor backdrop adds a lot to the production. The risers with chairs help visibility to be good for all viewers. While the chairs were quite comfortable, I found my lower back needed more support in the design of the chair (lumbar support). Having refreshments available and an area to sit with the landscaping was a nice addition. All staff were, friendly, courteous and helpful."

2008 SEASON