Charlotte Shakespeare
Charlotte Shakespeare was a professional, non-profit theatre company in Charlotte, North Carolina. The company specialized in intimate and accessible performances of traditional and modern classics, with an emphasis on the plays of William Shakespeare and with a mission of presenting plays "that reflect timeless truths about the human condition and honor Shakespeare’s genius for storytelling and language". History. The company was founded by Elise Wilkinson and Joe Copley in 2006 under the name Collaborative Arts Theatre. It was granted status as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in 2008. The name was changed to Charlotte Shakespeare in  2012. Charlotte Shakespeare has never had a performance venue of its own. In its first two years productions took place in a tavern, in a series of apartments, and on the Green. Since that time all plays have been produced in theaters at Spirit Square or on The Green. The company went on hiatus in the summer of 2015 and has not reopened. Production history. 2012 Season 2011 Season 2010 Season 2009 Season 2008 Season 2007 Season 2006 Season Charlotte Shakespeare Festival. Each summer Charlotte Shakespeare produced the Charlotte Shakespeare Festival which began in June with a show presented outdoors  on The Green, an uptown pocket park. "Charlotte" Magazine described the annual return of Shakespeare on the Green as, "one of the best cultural gifts Charlotte will get all year". Admission was free and the company depended on voluntary donations. A second show was presented in August at Spirit Square. Most productions were from the Shakespeare canon, but an exception was made in 2011 when the outdoor summer play was Tartuffe by Moliere. Awards & reviews. Metrolina Theatre Association awards. The Metrolina Theatre Association (MTA) is a Charlotte organization which gives awards each year to support and advocate for local theatre , and these awards are a major source of public recognition for theatres, shows, and individuals. A selected list of MTA awards won by Collaborative Arts is shown below. Creative Loafing's Annual Charlotte Theatre Awards. Creative Loafing (CL) is a publisher of newsweeklies and their associated websites focusing on local affairs, including arts and entertainment. A selected list of CL awards won by Collaborative Arts is shown below.