Alexis Laskey

Vince Peneschi
Luke Kaplan
 Table of Contents
Pitch Letter..................................................................3
News Release: Caesar.................................................4
News Release: As You Like It....................................5
News Release: Pride and Prejudice..........................6
PSA: Pride and Prejudice..........................................7
PSA: Caesar.................................................................8
PSA: As You Like It....................................................9
Backgrounder............................................................10
Backgrounder Staff Information.............................11
Backgrounder Staff Information.............................12
Newsletter...................................................................13
Newsletter...................................................................14
Post Card....................................................................15
25 April 2019

Peoria Magazine
Jan Wright
jan@peoriamagazines.com

Jan,

I am contacting you with hopes that you will devote coverage to promote the Illinois
Shakespeare Festival, an event that will take place at the Theatre at Ewing in Bloomington,
Illinois. The festival performances will take place starting June 27 until Aug. 10, 2019.

To help build awareness about the event, I have included a few story angles to assist you in
creating content for a potential article for the Peoria Magazine.

Summer Fun for the Whole Family: Looking for something to do this summer? Come out for a
night under the stars, all while experiencing classic tales, such as “Pride and Prejudice,”
“Caesar” and “As You Like it!” Come experience all Illinois Shakespeare Festival has to offer
and all the hard work these theatre actors and interns have invested!

Calling all Thespians: Are you a fan of the theatrical arts? Don’t miss out on all Illinois
Shakespeare Festival has to offer! Illinois Shakespeare Festival will host three different
productions including “Pride and Prejudice,” “Caesar” and “As You Like it!” With activities for
all ages, this festival will not disappoint.

Summer Plans? Is your summer looking a little dry this year? Well, what better way to enjoy
the summer this year than by attending Illinois Shakespeare Festival. Join us this summer by
attending the Illinois Shakespeare Festival. With activities for all ages, food vendors, as well as
three different productions, there is something for all ages.

Given that you have covered numerous current events in the Peoria area, I would appreciate if
you continued that coverage with the Illinois Shakespeare Festival. For more information about
the event, feel free to contact me by email or by phone.

Thanks for your time,

Vincent Peneschi
Illinois Shakespeare Festival
(224) 402-9706
vjpenes@ilstu.edu

Box Office Phone: (309) 438-2535 Illinoisshakes.com

Office Hours May - August: 12-4 p.m.
NEWS PROVIDED BY
Illinois Shakespeare Festival
Illinois Shakespeare Festival Media Relations
Contact: Alexis Laskey
Email: arlaske@ilstu.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Illinois Shakespeare Festival Hosts Pride and Prejudice

NORMAL, Ill. – Calling all Austen fans and Thespians to the stage. This summer Illinois
Shakespeare Festival will be preforming the incredibly popular novel “Pride and Prejudice” by
Jane Austen. Located at Ewing Theater the performance will be taking place July 6 through Aug.
8, 2019.
“Pride and Prejudice” tells the story of early 17 century English High Society. this story deals
with unrequited love, family drama, and the rules of social class. The Illinois Shakespeare
Festival is going to be featuring 7:30 and 8 p.m. show times throughout the Summer.
The show preview will be on July 5 at 8 p.m., 8 p.m. Performances are on July 6, 20, 26, and
Aug. 2. All 7:30 p.m. performances take place July 11, 16, 30, 31, and Aug. 7, 8.
Tickets for non-subscribers are available starting March 1, 2019, between the price of $20 for
Silver tickets, $35 for Gold, and $55 for Platinum tickets. All tickets can be purchased online or
at the physical box office. Seat maps can be found on the website identifying which tickets
associate with each section.
For more information on upcoming shows, events, and tickets please contact Alexis Laskey at
(309) 732-5612.
###
About Illinois Shakespeare Festival
The Illinois Shakespeare Festival started in 1978 at Ewing Manor in Bloomington. The first
show was the “Twelfth Night” performed by Illinois State University theatre students. The
performance was seen by 250 guests and performed on a wooden stage. The acting company
developed into a professional organization with interns and professional actors. From then on out
the Illinois Shakespeare Festival came to life. The primary goal of the organization is to bring
quality and accessible productions to the Central Illinois audiences.

Box Office Phone: (309) 438-2535 Illinoisshakes.com

Office Hours May - August: 12-4 p.m.
NEWS PROVIDED BY
Illinois Shakespeare Festival
Illinois Shakespeare Festival Media
Media Contact: Vincent Peneschi
Email: vjpenes@ilstu.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Maybe We Should All Just Stab Caesar

NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois Shakespeare Festival announces yet another production this summer in
Bloomington, Illinois, hosting productions including the Shakespeare classic “Caesar”.
Located 351 S. School Street, Normal, Illinois, the production will be hosted at the Illinois State
University Center for the Performing Arts. Illinois Shakespeare Festival will take place this
summer, with productions taking place as early as July 12 until as late as Aug. 10.
“Attending Caesar in past years at Illinois Shakespeare Festival was truly life changing,” said
local Jenny Smith. “The event not only was entertaining for my family and myself, but provided
a lot of historical context.”
Caesar, originally by William Shakespeare, is reinvented as a modern take on Shakespeare’s
tragedy. As warfare consumes Rome, and assassins get closer and closer to Caesar, watch a
classic tale brought to life. The well-known tale gets retold through social media, adding a
modern twist to a classic story.
Single tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster starting March 1, 2019. Those looking to
buy tickets in person can purchase them at the performing arts box office on the Illinois State
University campus.
For those interested in signing up, donating, or volunteering, please contact Vincent Peneschi at
(309) 438-2535 or visit the website at www.illinoisshakes.com
###
About Illinois Shakespeare Festival
The Illinois Shakespeare Festival started in 1978 at Ewing Manor in Bloomington. The first
show was the “Twelfth Night” performed by Illinois State University theatre students. The
performance was seen by 250 guests and performed on a wooden stage. The acting company
developed into a professional organization with interns and professional actors. From then on out
the Illinois Shakespeare Festival came to life. The primary goal of the organization is to bring
quality and accessible productions to the Central Illinois audiences.

Box Office Phone: (309) 438-2535 Illinoisshakes.com

Office Hours May - August: 12-4 p.m.
NEWS PROVIDED BY
Illinois Shakespeare Festival
Illinois Shakespeare Festival Media Relations
Contact: Luke Kaplan
Email: Lpkapla@ilstu.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Illinois Shakespeare Festival to Produce “As You Like It”

NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois Shakespeare Festival invites all who are interested to attend the joyful
comedy that is “As You Like It”, which was adapted by Robert Quinlan and Jordan Coughtry.
This love at first sight story will be held at the Ewing Theatre, starting on June 27, 2019, and
lasting until its last showing on Aug. 9, 2019.

Come experience that love that Rosalind and Orlando share as they push past all social norms in
order to live their lives with one another. From being disguised as a man to evading the court,
“The young lovers escape to the forest of Arden and delight in luscious nature, love, life,
companionship, and song…until Fortune makes everything right again.”

The cast will preview their first rendition of “As You Like It” on June 27, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. with
more performances following this time slot on July 9, 10, 17, 24, 25, and Aug. 1, and 6. Though,
the show will continue to strike conversation and awe as the cast extends their performances to
June 28, and 29, followed by July 19, and 27, while making its final appearances on Aug. 3, and
9, all with a start time of 8:00 p.m.

Ticket sales will begin on March 1, 2019, with a starting price of $20 for Silver tickets, $35 for
Gold tickets, and $55 for Platinum tickets. Purchasing of your tickets can be done online or at the
Box Office. All information regarding the Seat Map, Box Office Hours, and Season Tickets are
online!

For more information about this Summer’s Illinois Shakespeare Festival events, please contact
Luke Kaplan at (309) 452-7652.

###
About Illinois Shakespeare Festival
The Illinois Shakespeare Festival started in 1978 at Ewing Manor in Bloomington. The first
show was the “Twelfth Night” performed by Illinois State University theatre students. The
performance was seen by 250 guests and performed on a wooden stage. The acting company
developed into a professional organization with interns and professional actors. From then on out
the Illinois Shakespeare Festival came to life. The primary goal of the organization is to bring
quality and accessible productions to the Central Illinois audiences.

Box Office Phone: (309) 438-2535 Illinoisshakes.com

Office Hours May - August: 12-4 p.m.
Use: May 31 – August 8, 2019
Time: 30 Seconds
Organization: Illinois Shakespeare Festival
Title: Illinois Shakespeare Festival Proudly Presents Pride and Prejudice

AT 8 P.M. ON JULY 6 THE ILLINOIS SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL WILL BE

PERFORMING THE PRESIGIOUS PRIDE AND PREJUDICE BY JANE AUSTEN. THE

SHOW HAS BEEN ADAPTED FROM THE ORIGINAL 1813 NOVEL TO BE PERFORMED

ON STAGE.

THE SHOW WILL BE TAKING PLACE THROUGHOUT THE DURATION OF THE

SUMMER ON VARIOUS DATES. ALL SHOWS WILL EITHER BE AT 8 P.M. OR 7:30 P.M.

TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE OR AT THE BOX OFFICE. TICKET PRICES

RANGE FROM $20 TO $55, DEPENDING ON PROXIMITY TO STAGE.

COME SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL THEATER GROUP AND CELEBRATE THE TIMELESS

CLASSIC THAT IS PRIDE AND PREJUDICE.

THIS EVENT IS FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY. SPEND AN EVENING WITH DRAB

ELIZABETH BENNET AND HAUGHTY MR. DARCY.

Box Office Phone: (309) 438-2535 Illinoisshakes.com

Office Hours May - August: 12-4 p.m.
Use: July 12 – August 10, 2019
Time: 30 Seconds
Organization: Illinois Shakespeare Festival
Title: Caesar, a Modern Remake of a Classic Tragedy

DON’T HAVE ANY OUTSTANDING PLANS THIS YEAR? CHECK OUT THE MODERN

ADAPATION OF CAESAR (SEIZ-ER) AT THE ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY CENTER

FOR PERFORMING ARTS.

THE PRODUCTION WILL TAKE PLACE JULY 12TH 2019 UNTIL AUGUST 10TH, 2019.

THE ADAPTION, WHICH IS A PLAY ON THE CLASSIC TRAGEDY, HAS BEEN GIVEN

A MODERN TWIST, BEING FOUGHT THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA.

WATCH AS ANCIENT ROME CRUMBLES WHILE 280 CHARACTER TWEET ARE

BEING TWEETED BETWEEN RIVALS.TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED AS EARLY AS

MARCH 1TH, 2019 AND CAN BE PURCHASED THROUGH TICKETMASTER.

Box Office Phone: (309) 438-2535 Illinoisshakes.com

Office Hours May - August: 12-4 p.m.
Use: June 27 – August 9, 2019

Time: 30 Seconds

Organization: Illinois Shakespeare Festival

Title: “As You Like It” to Be Performed at Illinois Shakespeare Festival

ILLINOIS SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL WILL PRESENT THE PLAY “AS YOU LIKE IT”

JUNE 27TH THRU AUGUST 9TH AT EWING THEATRE IN BLOOMINGTON ILLINOIS.

THIS HEARTSTRING-PULLING PLAY WILL MAKE YOU THINK TWICE ABOUT LOVE

AT FIRST SIGHT. COME ENJOY THE LOVE STORY OF ROSALIND (ROZ-uh-lind) AND

ORLANDO AS THEY FIGHT TO KEEP THEIR RELATIONSHIP ALIVE, REGARDLESS

OF WHAT THE COURT SAYS.

A HUGE THANK YOU GOES OUT TO ILLINOIS SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL AND CAST

FOR THEIR HARDWORK IN THEIR BEAUTIFUL RENDITION OF “AS YOU LIKE IT”.

TICKETS WILL BE SOLD ONLINE OR AT THE BOX OFFICE.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT “AS YOU LIKE IT,” PLEASE CONTACT LUKE

KAPLAN AT (309) 452-7652 OR ONLINE AT WWW.ILLINOISSHAKES.COM.

Box Office Phone: (309) 438-2535 Illinoisshakes.com

Office Hours May - August: 12-4 p.m.
Illinois Shakespeare Festival
Background Information

History
The Illinois Shakespeare Festival is a professional repertory company. The main focus of the
organization is to produce mainstage production. All shows are family-friendly and help to
showcase a level of professional artistry, economic attention, and civic engagement to Illinois.
Part of the Illinois Shakespeare Festival’s mission is to provide and expose new generations and
communities to the arts.
The organization started in 1978 and is now celebrating its 42nd year. Each season the company
is able to reach over 10,000 patrons. The festival began on a wooden stage at the Ewing Castle,
after years of meticulous planning and dreaming. The Illinois State University Chairperson, Cal
Printer, was the head of the planning and promotions for the first show. He worked hard at
promoting the idea of the Illinois Shakespeare Festival and what it could be. Other staff members
started to share his dreams and began working on starting the organization. The members of staff
presented the idea to the Illinois State President at the time, Tom Jacob. His support of the
program was the final key the group needed to fund the organization.
The mission of the Illinois Shakespeare Festival is to produce energetic new interpretations of
classic theatrical works. The organization works to engage the audience and artists in an
exploration of the human condition. The Festival believes that arts are an essential part of society
that help to bring communities together and foster positive relationships. The importance of
providing the best possible experience for the audience throughout a show and the pre-show
helps to build loyal and trusting company members and customers. The values of working
collaboratively and exchanging honest ideas with one another is a goal that the organization
works at having all of its' members exhibit.
In the 42 years that the Illinois Shakespeare Festival has been operating the company has
produced and ran 142 shows, under six different production directors. The company have
produced all but two Shakespearean plays others shows having been produced and shown over
five times. The company is composed of professional actors and interns.
The mark that the Illinois Shakespeare Festival has left on the community is undeniable. The
company started with the original goal of bringing quality and accessible Shakespearean shows
to the community. Now, the organization has expanded to include other theatrical classics and
shows.

Box Office Phone: (309) 438-2535 Illinoisshakes.com

Office Hours May - August: 12-4 p.m.
 John C. Stark, Artistic Director:
Kee-Yoon Nahm, Festival Damaturg:
Stark became the Artistic Director in 2017 after having
Kee-Yoon Nahm joined the Illinois Shakespeare Festival in 2018
produced 33 shows designs, since 1993. He has designed
as the Dramaturg. He works online to curate the online article
professionally for several different other companies including
series "Beyond the Stage: Dramaturgy Notes for the Illinois
the Chicago Theatre, Victory Gardens, Drury Lane Theater, the
Shakespeare Festival. Working international as a dramaturg,
Next Theatre, etc. He won the Joseph Jefferson Award for
researcher, critic and theatre translator.
Scenic Design in 1997, while working for the Famous Door
Theatre.

Robert Quinlan, Associate Artistic Director:

With the Illinois Shakespeare Festival Quinlan has directed
three different productions. He has also directed with the 8-
Person Artistic Collective at Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre.
Where he directed several other Shakespearian productions.
He is the head of the Head of the MFA Directing Program at
Illinois State University.

Kee-Yoon Nahm, Festival Damaturg:

Kee-Yoon Nahm joined the Illinois Shakespeare Festival in 2018

as the Dramaturg. He works online to curate the online article
series "Beyond the Stage: Dramaturgy Notes for the Illinois
Shakespeare Festival. Working international as a dramaturg,
researcher, critic and theatre translator.

Box Office Phone: (309) 438-2535 Illinoisshakes.com

Office Hours May - August: 12-4 p.m.
 Elena Hansen, Production Manager:
Elena holds an M.F.A. in Stage Management from University of
Cincinnati’s College - Conservatory of Music (CCM) and a B.A.
in Theatre Design/Production. She currently recently joined the
Illinois Shakespeare Festival and the ISU School of Theatre and
Dance in 2017. Having worked and travelled in cities all over the
world, Elena is making Bloomington-Normal her new home.

Nick Benson, Box Office Manager:

In September of 2017 Nick joined the Illinois Shakespeare team
as the box office manager. Having received a Bachelor’s Degree
in Music Business from Illinois State University and an BMA
from Loyal University Chicago, Nick understands both the
creative and business side of the production industry.

Jean Miller, Dean of the College of Fine Arts:

Jean M. K. Miller is the current dean of the College of Fine Arts
at Illinois State University. Jean has served as the dean of the
College of Fine Arts and Communication at previous institutions
before ISU, including the University of Missouri as well as the
University of North Texas. Illinois State University Provost Janet
Krejci states that “Jean M. K. Miller has a proven track record as
an outstanding educator, scholar, artist and leader”.

Box Office Phone: (309) 438-2535 Illinoisshakes.com

Office Hours May - August: 12-4 p.m.
 Thespian’s
Digest
Illinois Shakespeare Festival // May 2019
of Towanda Ave. and Emerson Street and is surely an
eye-catching property that you won’t want to miss.
The History of “The Castle” Later on, Davis and Hazle Buck Ewing divorced,
which left the home in the hands of Hazle. She went
By: Luke Kaplan on to live out the rest of her life there until she passed
away in 1969, leaving instructions in regards of what
Escape to the wonders and beauty of “The Castle” or bet-
should be done with her home. Hazle “bequeathed the
ter known as Ewing Manor as you visit the rich history of
residence to the Illinois State University Foundation,
this exquisite home in Bloomington Illinois. Recognized
and required that the residence should function as a
as one of the most iconic buildings in Bloomington, this
center for promoting intercultural understanding.” Not
Shakespearian inspired home was imagined by Davis and
only is it, along with the Ewing Theatre, the location
Hazle Buck Ewing, who succeeded in creating their dream
of the Illinois Shakespeare Festival, but now, it is used
home. They dreamt of a home that would fulfill their every
to facilitate the growth of culture and the arts within
idea and meet their every need. They created a remark-
the community of Bloomington-Normal. This cultural
able structure which resembled that of their sites from a
center allows students and residents the opportunity to
year-long trip around the world. Inspired from countries
turn back time and return to an era
all around Europe, the manor
that was filled with poetry, beauty,
stands as an architectural feat.
and art, giving them renditioned
The Ewing Manor highlights
insight to the Shakespearian world.
beautiful features unfamiliar
The manor offers several events
to today’s society, making the
year-round, from theatre, wed-
home that much more impres-
dings, tours, birthday parties and
sive to experience in person.
much more. The cultural center just
Showcasing limestone that was
finished celebrating its birthday,
taken from Joliet, Illinois and
where the manor turned 90-years-
Wisconsin, as well as restored
old. Today, the building stands as
bricks from a once operational
a symbol for the growth of the arts
local brewery.
and will continue to do so for years
The couple employed both Phil The Ewing Maner Resides in Bloomington, Il.
to come.
Hooten and the John Felmey
The Illinois Shakespeare Festival now hosts all of their
Company between 1927 to 1929 to complete the archi-
productions from the Ewing Manor. Using the aesthet-
tectural design and construction of the extravagant home.
ics of the environment that the home provides to serve
Architecturally receiving the Channel-Normal style,
as a backdrop for all shows and productions. The man-
Davis and Hazle Buck Ewing completed their home with
or operates as a terrific meeting place for the shows
an overall cost of $178,000. At the time, this build price
and allows the actors as well as the audience to really
made Ewing Manor one of the most expensive homes to
become encompassed in the experience of the show.
plant its roots in Central Illinois. Today, the whimsical and
This historic building stands tall and proud, reminding
breathtaking home stands in Bloomington and is a main
us that once the stage is set and props are stationed,
attraction for both locals and visitors of Central Illinois.
the show is ready to begin, taking you back to another
“The Castle” is located at 48 Sunset Road on the corner
place in time.
 Thespian’s
Digest
Illinois Shakespeare Festival // May 2019

Thank You To Our Sponsors!

Here at Illinois Shakespeare Festival, not only do we thank
you for enjoying the hard work of all of our cast
By: Luke Kaplan
members, but we deeply acknowledge the helping hand that
Many talented students around the world hope to prop-
you have provided us in reaching all of the wonderful people
erly express themselves in their respected field of the arts.
who are fans of our shows. From all of us at the Illinois Shake-
With less opportunities than other majors throughout the
speare Festival, thank you, for your hard work of continuing
world, it is imperative that more organizations like Illi-
to influence a better Illinois, for all!
nois Shakespeare Festival take the time to help students
achieve their goals outside of an in school setting. Addi-
A message from Jamie Thomas, a cast member at Illinois
tionally, with the growing rate of the arts field increasing,
Shakespeare Festival: “Illinois Shakespeare Festival and Illi-
it is with our sincerest gratitude that we announce and
nois State University have changed my life. They have promot-
applaud the sponsor for the upcoming Summer 2019
ed a sense of belonging and opportunity not only for myself,
season at Illinois Shakespeare Festival!
but my fellow cast members as well. I also can’t say enough
about the Illinois Arts Council. From their continued support
The Illinois Arts Council will be sponsoring us in order
of promoting arts, creativity, and opportunity in Illinois to
to provide all students and cast members with an interest
supporting us here at Illinois Shakespeare Festival, they have
in, or who are already majors of any arts related field to
made it possible for more people to enjoy the arts. So, thank
properly receive the opportunities that they deserve. “The
you, we wouldn’t be nearly as successful without you!”
Illinois Arts Council is a government agency of the state
of Illinois formed to encourage development of the arts
throughout Illinois.” With the help of the Illinois Arts
Council, we want to spread the word about the arts so
that other programs, and schools around the world create
more outside activities that provide the opportunity for
their aspiring arts performers to continue the growth of
their passion. The Illinois Arts Council also gives stu-
dents the opportunity to find out about the highly ac-
claimed arts programs at Illinois State University, which
allows the school to gain more student recognition. As
partners with Illinois State University, students will be
able to participate in all of our wonderful plays. With that
being said, this Summers 2019 season would not func-
tion as smoothly as it regularly does without the sup-
port of the Illinois Arts Council. Your passion and love
for “building a strong, creative, and connected Illinois
through the arts” doesn’t go unnoticed and for that, we
would like to thank you. Actors preform “Much Ado About Nothing” in previous
performance
 Illinois
Shakespeare Festival
Summer 2019
Enjoy A Summer with the Thespians
Brought to you by Illinois Shakespeare
Festival

We are proud to announce that ISF will be hosting

three productions this summer

As You Like It:

June 27-August 9

Pride and Prejudice:

July 5-August 8

Ceasar:
July 12-August 10 Tickets Available at
https://illinoisshakes.com/plays/