Season 11 FOW Annual Report

Over 200 active Friends of Will contributed 4200 volunteer hours to the Great River Shakespeare Festival throughout Season 11. Members include 47 new Winona and Winona area FOW who joined in 2014 and 32 Rochester Friends. The Friends of Will provide Company and Festival support, Front of House support, and Community outreach. A new initiative this year was using Volunteer Local a web based scheduling system for all Front of House volunteer scheduling. Click here view the full report!

Thank you, Friends of Will!

Dear Friends of Will,

I cannot begin to thank you enough for everything you have done for GRSF this season. We simply could not exist without all of your work. I hope you are taking great pride in the many accomplishments of Season 11.  We started the season talking about how the simple, mundane things we do every day in the theater can become an invitation for us and for our community to experience more fully what it is to be human. Whether passing out programs, cooking meals, giving rides, or playing Hamlet, we need every member of this company to put these plays on stage and to invite our patrons to see them. Once inside the theater, I believe we have opportunity to start a conversation that can help make our community the place we want to call home – and I believe that is exactly what we have done this season.

Thank you for being a vital part of this company.

Doug Scholz-Carlson, Artistic Director

Dear Friends of Will,

It was a year of great change this season and so many of us had to trust and adapt to the new personalities, programming, and procedures. From Front of House to Hospitality to Chariots- every single department and almost all of you had to work with a new point person or within a slightly changed system. And you rose to the occasion and then some. Thanks so much for all you did to make these changes and this season such a success. And I can only thank each of your personally for your faith and support. We are truly privileged to have you an integral part of GRSF. And a special thank you to all the department heads and to Mary Alice and Terry for overseeing it all. We look forward to your comments and thoughts as we make our way forward.

On to the great work of Season 12!!!!

~ Lee Gundersheimer, Managing Director

Thank you from Mary Alice and Terry

It was a successful season for the Friends of Will as hundreds of Friends helped GRSF throughout  Season 11.  Front of House volunteers, our largest group, worked 1480 hours!  Many other teams and individuals worked behind the scenes at company events and to help company members. We are beginning to compile information for the FOW annual report that celebrates the continuing success of the Friends of Will.  The report will be available here this fall.

Thank you!

Mary Alice Anderson and Terry Hawkings, Friends of Will Steering Committee Co-Chairs Gaby Peterson, co-owner of Yarnology in Winona won the Callithump quilt raffle.   FOW Jennifer Georgieff and Yarnology co-owner Kelly Momsen proudly hold the quilt now on display at Yarnology, 65 East Third, Winona.  Gaby’s Yarology Post!

 

 

Radio station KQAL program archives include interviews with several GRSF company members and other Festival information.

Front of House Volunteer Openings

Check volunteer local throughout the remaining weeks of season 11

There are few open positions for some of the remaining plays.  You can also sign up to substitute. Peope who sign up to substitute will be called if you are needed.

Visit Volunteer Local to learn more about these these positions (click the view job description link)  or sign up for other Front of House vacancies.
Questions: Contact Gretchen Erwin  or Mary Alice Anderson

Forget what you volunteered for?
Visit Volunteer Local
and select the check status button. Submit the email address you used when you signed up; a confirmation of your volunteer schedule will instantly arrive in your email

Need to Cancel?
Click cancel in your confirmation. That’s it!

 

Meet Annika, Quilt Raffle Tickets Available, July Volunteer Opportunities

The final Usher and Will Guide Training is Wednesday, July 9, 6:30 pm at the WSU Performing Arts Center.   All Ushers and Will guides are welcome.  New ushers & Will Guides who did not attend earlier training sessions are especially encouraged to attend!  There are additional announcements for Front of House Volunteers throughout this post.

Meet House Manager Annika Gunderson!

I have returned to my hometown, Winona, after five years of living in Minneapolis, MN, as well as studying extensively throughout Latin America. Living anew in Winona has gifted me with much exploration of and participation in the arts. Soon after my homecoming, I produced Winona’s first burlesque show Speakeasy Mississippi Burlesque (Oct. 2013) and danced in both WSU’s Dancescape 2014 and SEED’s Blank Page (March 2014). These experiences led me to work with Mid West Music Fest 2014 as the fest’s coordinator of marketing/publicity, hospitality, and merchandise.  I am so grateful to Winonans for their continuous support and collaboration, and I am equally thrilled to be a part of Winona’s expanding arts community! Some of my other identities include…entrepreneur, Global Somatics Practitioner, and, importantly, a lover of kale and coconut water. Outside of GRSF, I can be found working at Infinity Chiropractic Wellness Center, practicing yoga and walking my dog, Raleigh.I welcome getting to know as many GRSF patrons as possible, and I very much look forward to promoting joy and comfort for patrons in the theater. Please feel free to say ‘hello!’ I can be easily spotted in the Performing Arts Center’s front of house with my watch and short (sometimes funky) blonde hair. :) Annika

There are some Front of House spots needing volunteers.  We suggest checking Volunteer Local  often for additional openings that may come up throughout July.   Front of House job descriptions and expectations

Concession/parking shifts start July 22nd

Learn more about Concessions and Parking. It’s another fun way to help the festival and interact with patrons. Sign up using Volunteer Local.

Tuesday 7/22 7:00pm performance
Wednesday 7/23 7:00 performance
Thursday 7/24 7:00pm performance
Friday 7/25 7:30pm performance
Saturday 7/26 2:00pm performance
Sunday 7/27 2:00pm performance
Wednesday 7/30 7:00pm performance
Thursday 7/31 7:00pm performance

SYD  nEEDS SODA CANS

The Shakesepare for Young Designer project need soda cans, any color, as many as we can get! Energy drink cans would work too, as well as beer cans. Probably around 50-100 if I had to put a number on it, as it will be used to make the top halves of armor for 5 people. If they could be rinsed off, that would be great! Drop off items at the PAC production office or with the Box Office staff at the downtown office.  Contact: Lauren Smith, GRSF Education Coordinator.

Quilt Raffle Tickets available

The 2014 quilt was created by Mary Alice Anderson, Dee Cipov, Mary Kaser, Lori Krumholz, Connie Larson, and Kathy Seifert. Sherry Brickner, Creative Quilting by Design, did the quilting.

The 2014 quilt design was inspired by Julia Crozier’s Get Carried Away poster. Our own imaginary forces inspired the “Will Group” volunteers to select unused costume shop fabrics in the poster’s color palette and design a quilt reflecting the poster’s flying birds theme and Get Carried Away tagline. Fabrics ranging from brocade and silk to tapestry fabrics were combined with quilt cottons to create a traditional “Birds in the Air” design. The costume shop fabrics were originally used in Season 1-10 plays such as The Winter’s Tale, King Lear, King Henry V, Macbeth, and Othello.

Raffle tickets are $5.00 and available in the Theatre Gift Shop and at the GRSF downtown office.  All Friends of Will are invited to help sell tickets. Stop by the GRSF downtown office to get some to sell.

Thank you, Hospitality team!

A huge thank you goes to the hospitality team for all of the delicious and very much appreciated lunches and dinners served to 100 busy and hungry company members during the June 15-22 tech week!
Lee Gundersheimer, GRSF Managing Director and Hospitality Team Chairs Terry Hawkings and Kris Blanchard

 

 

 

 

Hospitality Host Debbie Sheets and GRSF set designer Eric Stone; Company members Mathew Tibbs and Jenn Barnick.
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 Front of House team members are encouraged to review the Winona  State Emergency and Evacuation Procedures Complete evacuation procedures and recommendations are listed within this  WSU document

 

Dear Front of House Volunteer Friends,
When an opportunity came up to take a tour with my husband and Texas family I was thrilled! England, Scotland, Stratford on Avon, and the thrill of a trip enticed me beyond reason…. Then I realized it was July 14-24!!!   But travel won! While I am tripping my dear friends, Gretchen Erwin and Mary Alice Anderson will pitch hit for me. You will still use the judy46@hbci.com email… I’ll have them forwarded to Gretchen so she can respond to your needs. Everything else will continue on the path to success, thanks to your fine volunteering and Miss Annika’s direction. Mary Alice will also be there to serve your needs. Please think of me as July 17th…. I will be at Shakespeare’s home!  I promise to share some photos. Keep on keeping on!!!!
Judy Rusert, Front of House Team Chair

Visit this newsletter & Volunteer Local throughout the Season to check for updates! 

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Season 11 begins in 10 days!

Volunteer Local Tips

Forget what you volunteered for?
Visit Volunteer Local
and select the check status button. Submit the email address you used when you signed up; a confirmation of your volunteer schedule will instantly arrive in your email

Need to Cancel?
Click cancel in your confirmation. That’s it!

Questions: Contact Judy Rusert, Front of House Team Chair. judy46@hbci.com

Check volunteer local throughout the next few weeks for additional volunteer openings.

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Volunteer opportunities

The WOW team needs help at June 28 and 29 WOW events.
Details about help needed are in the May 28 post.
Contact Laura Feller, WOW committee member: LMFeller@charter.net

Show your WOW spirit!
Be sure to purchase and wear a WOW button. Buttons are available at the GRSF office; just $10.00 is your ticket to three WOW parties, including great food!
FOW are also invited to help sell WOW buttons. Pick up a handful to sell when you purchase yours!

NEEDED:  Wheelchair Wheels and a refrigerator

Properties Manager Nikki Kulas needs a wheel chair, or at least 2 wheelchair wheels. “I’m hoping one of the Friends of will might have one lying around they don’t use anymore or know a place that might have one. We are planning on altering the wheels so it’s not something I intend to be able to return.”
Contact: Nicki Kulas, xnikki.kulasx@gmail.com

The hospitality team needs another frig to store some of the food FOW are generously bringing for this week’s tech week AND the next group of hospitality team meals in July.  The frig need not be new or huge, just working! Contact: Rob Thomas, Company Manager. robt@grsf.org.

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OPEning WEEK EVENTs

June 25 – Merry Wives of Windsor preview
June 26 – Hamlet preview
June 27 – Merry Wives of Windsor opening
June 28 – Hamlet opening
June 29 – Merry Wives of Windsor matinee
June 27-28 -WOW festivities and Carlyle Brown Front Porch event

WOW Weekend Concerts
June 27 – Annie Mack Band, at the Levee, 5:30 pm
June 28 – Dixieland Jazz Festival, On the Green. Noon – 7:15
Full  Concerts on the Green performance schedule and performer information ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

450 for the 450^th

GRSF is celebrating Will’s big birthday!! One way you can help GRSF celebrate Will’s Birthday and GRSF is by becoming a donor.
Learn how you can help light 450 candles

Such a Deal!

“Told You So” pricing will be in effect for limited amounts for each show subject to availability (and not for $10 priced shows). The deal is this: if you bring someone new to GRSF- not in our ticketing system- and they must register with name and contact info- then the tickets are either 2 for 1 or your guest comes free, whichever works best for you. If you recommend others but they wish to bring a guest and attend another performance all they have to do is mention your name (or be at the box office with you) and they will get 2 for 1 pricing subject to availability and for a limited time only). This pricing has two purposes: drive new patrons to the plays (and word of mouth and recommendations are the key motivator) and to have full houses as often as possible.  Questions? Contact the GRSF Box Office, 507 474 -7900 or   boxofficemanager@grsf.org

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FRONT OF HOUSE TRAINING

What: Front of House Training
Where: WSU/ PAC
When: Tues, June 17; Thurs June 19; 6:30 pm
Why: Meet Annika Gunderson, our new House Manager; refresh your knowledge and be aware of changes that might be in store under Annika’s direction. Kate Carlson from Visit Winona will provide special training for Will Guides at the June 17 session from. We look forward to greeting our experienced volunteers as well as any new folks. Preregistration is not required, but will be appreciated. 
The season is soon ready to begin! Let’s be sure we are ready as well!
Contact: Judy Rusert, Front of House Team Chair

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One Month Until Season 11!

Front of House Volunteer positions and Training

There are positions open for Front of House volunteers. FOH includes ushers, Will Guides, and assisting with parking and concessions (during the Apprentice production).   Front of House training is June 17, 19, and July 9.  New and returning Front of House Volunteers are encouraged to attend to learn what’s new and meet Annika Gunderson, the new House Manager.  Kate Carlson from Visit Winona will provide additional information for Will Guides at the  June 17 session.  Sessions begin at 6:30 PM at the Winona State Performing Arts Center (PAC). Park in the Main and Mark St. lot.

Meal Hosting during tech Week

The Hospitality Team that provides meals to cast and crew during their grueling “Tech” week is looking for additional volunteers! This is one of the most fun ways to volunteer for the Festival and interact with company members. Select the Volunteer Local link below to learn more and sign up.

Register for FOH positions and volunteer training, and hosting meals using Volunteer Local.
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Help at WOW

The Will’s Opening Weekend Committee (WOW) needs volunteers to help with WOW events.   There are two WOW weekends this year to celebrate the opening of three plays. WOW Events.  WOW Volunteer opportunities are:

Friday, June 27, Merry Wives of Windsor opening. Reception at Winona Public Library, post-show, and Parade from Levee pre-show.
Greeting; Directing; Parade Route Guides; Selling WOW buttons, pre- and post-show; and other tasks as needed.
Saturday, June 28, Hamlet opening. Directors’ Reception, 4:30 – 6 PM, help needed 4:00-6PM.
Greeting; Directing Attendees from Green and to event in Kryszko Commons; Selling WOW buttons at name tag table; and other tasks as needed.
Saturday, July 5th, Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead opening, Post-show party at the Carriage House.
Selling WOW buttons; and other tasks as needed.

Want to volunteer?  Please contact Laura Feller,  LMFeller@charter.net

WOW buttons are for sale in the GRSF office.
A $10.00 button is your “ticket” to all three parties.
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Like to sew?

The GRSF costume shop could use more volunteers for hand-sewing and other miscellaneous tasks.  If you are interested in assisting contact Marci Franklin, GRSF Costume Shop Supervisor, Marilyne27@aol.com
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Do you Have? 

GRSF office staff are requesting in-kind donations to help provide company members with supplies for their East Lake apartments.  They are especially looking for new or “like new”

• Flat-screen TV’s
• Bikes
• Pots and pans
• Kitchen towels
• Hot mitts
• Small cutting boards
• Glass drinking glasses (not juice size)
• Plates and bowls

If you have any of these items to donate please contact Rob Thomas, Company Manager.  robt@grsf.org

Do you have a vintage wooden scooter or scooter parts?
Nicki Kulas, GRSF Properties Manager is looking for a vintage scooter. Staff will likely be building scooters, “but we need parts like handles, wood bottoms, old wood skateboards, and wheels. Contact Nicki Kulas, xnikki.kulasx@gmail.com
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Hire an Apprentice!

GRSF Apprentice company members are once again available to help you with house and yard projects.  Apprentices are generally available on Mondays. The rate that most people tend to pay is around $10, although it has certainly varied from time to time.  If you would like to support these hard working College and University students please send the required information to Lauren Smith, Education Coordinator. Send the information listed below in an email message to education@grsf.org      Include:

Name:
Phone:
Best time to call:
Email address:
Date (s) work desired (REMINDER: Most apprentices are only available on Mondays):
Description of Job (nature of work, special requirements):
Location of Job: Is transportation available to this location?
Time Commitment for Job (number of hours):
Number of Apprentices requested:
Amount Paid per Hour:

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Supporting the GRSF company throughout Spring

Team Chariot members provided transportation for several company members from area airports to Winona   or from the Amtrak station to their Winona homes. Move in/Out team members assisted with moving housing items Move in /Move Out team members from the GRSF warehouse to the Winona State University East Lake Apartments.

Team Chariot member Ron Stevens with John Maltese, GRSF actor at the Rochester airport.

Move in /Move Out team members Dale Newcomb, Bob Williams and Vicki Englic

 

 

Visit this blog throughout Season 11 for updates!

https://grsf.wordpress.com/friends-of-will-volunteers/

Get Carried Away with the Callithump Raffle Quilt

The Will Quilt team is completing this season’s  queen size quilt for the Callithump raffle. Tickets will be available in the gift shop and from FOW.

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The Friends of Will welcome new Friends!

If you are not a Friend of Will or if you did not volunteer in 2012 or 2013 you can join the Friends of Will using this easy form.  Questions: Contact Mary Alice Anderson, maryalicea@mac.com or Terry Hawkings, terryhawkings@hotmail.com, FOW Steering Committee Co-Chairs.

 

Two Months Until Season 11!

Front of House Scheduling now Online

Friends of Will are invited to sign up Front of House shifts. Front of House volunteers are ushers, Will Guides and staffing parking/concessions  during the week of the apprentice acting company production. (Parking and Concessions sign up begins later)  Visit VOLUNTEER LOCAL to see volunteer job descriptions and select your slot(s).

Questions? Contact Judy Rusert, Front of House Team Leader, judy46@hbci.com   Judy will also be available in the GRSF Office on Friday, May 9, 12:00-3:00 pm to answer questions.
Front of House Volunteer Training is tentatively planned for June 17, 19, and July 9.  Check back later for details!

Belated Happy Birthday, Bard

GRSF was well represented on Wisconsin Public Radio’s  Salute to the Bard.  FOW usher Connie Scharlau called in to passionately share her love of the Festival. Ten years ago I went to the Great River Shakespeare Festival in Winona.  I don’t remember what play I saw, but I fell in love!!! It’s absolutely to die for! I didn’t even know that I liked Shakespeare!  GRSF Managing Director Lee Gundersheimer shared his appreciation for Shakespeare’s plot and character. While his language is stunning, he was also a good writer in terms of plot and character. We appreciate that as well.  
Listen to the April 23 broadcast!  Don’t miss
Household Words and Shakespeare’s Enduring Lexicon

GRSF celebrated Shakespeare’s birthday on the big day!   Several Friends of Will “acted” in a group Romeo and Juliet balcony scene during the birthday bash at Merchant’s National Bank. Photos and story! 

I am GRSF  

Winona Daily News is publishing of series of  interviews with some of the Festival’s avid supporters.  Articles are in print and online.  I Am GRSF!

Will Quilt!

Quilters Lori Krumholz, Connie Larson and Kathy Seifert.

The GRSF quilting group is again creating a quilt from costume shop fabrics! The design was inspired by Julia Crozier’s Season 11 poster!  The raffle winner will be drawn July 29 at Callithump!

 

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The Friends of Will welcome new FOW!

If you are not a friend of Will or if you did not volunteer in 2012 or 2013 you can join the Friends of Will using this easy form
Learn more about the Friends of Will
Questions: Contact Mary Alice Anderson  < maryalicea@mac.com> or Terry Hawkings < terryhawkings@hotmail.com> FOW Steering Committee Co-Chairs.