Shakespeare Slam and Elizabethan Bash Seeks Performers and Volunteers

From Art Farm

(Paul Hammer performing at last year's slam).  

William Shakespeare, Queen Elizabeth I and a host of costumed Elizabethans will be mingling with the central Connecticut glitterati at ARTFARM’s third annual Shakespeare Slam and Elizabethan Bash! on May 3 at the Wadsworth Mansion in Middletown.

The company is looking for performers – professional and amateur, adult and youth – to participate in the Shakespeare Slam! by preparing one to three minutes of Shakepeare and soliciting patrons to support their performance by donating to ARTFARM.

The Shakespeare Slam and Elizabethan Bash is part party, part performance event. Conceived as a fundraising event to support ARTFARM’s annual summer production of Shakespeare in the Grove, the SlamBash! has gained a reputation as a unique and not-to-be-missed event on the social and cultural calendar. This year, for the first time, the event will take place at the lavish Wadsworth Mansion.

The main event at the SlamBash is the Shakespeare Slam. Anyone wishing to perform must register by Friday, April 29 and have accumulated at least $50 in sponsorships.    Slam performers must prepare and perform one of Shakespeare’s 154 Sonnets or any Shakespeare text (new this year!) under 3 minutes in length AND solicit PATRONS to donate to ARTFARM on their behalf. The Shakespeare Slam is a good-natured showcase, not a Slam in the competitive sense.

The intention is to encourage people to perform Shakespeare’s words in a fun, artistic and playful way, emphasizing creativity over competition. Soloists or groups are encouraged. Singing, dancing, circus sonnets – practically anything is acceptable. While there will not be awards based on performance, creative approaches are encouraged and there will be great prizes for the performers who get the highest total sponsorships.

“The Sonnet Slam is the artistic centerpiece”, says ARTFARM Artistic Director Marcella Trowbridge, “but for one night the Wadsworth Mansion will become Queen Elizabeth’s Palace. There will be live music, costumed servers and entertainers, fabulous food by It’s Only Natural Restaurant, drinks, a silent auction, and of course the Virgin Queen herself. People can get involved in so many ways, depending on their comfort level: as a performer, a patron, or simply by coming to the party.”

Would-be sonnet performers must solicit “patrons” to sponsor their sonnet performance. Sponsors can pledge as little as ten dollars (to celebrate both ARTFARM’s tenth birthday and the ten beats comprising a line of iambic pentameter) or any multiple of ten. Performers can amass any number of sponsors that they want, but must have at least fifty dollars of committed sponsorships to perform as part of the event. Top patrons will be recognized at the event, and prizes will be awarded to the performers with the highest sponsorship totals.

Tickets to the Elizabethan Bash! are $25and include vouchers for two drinks. Performers attend the Bash! for free. ARTFARM is also looking for volunteers to help staff the event.

ARTFARM’s third annual Shakespeare Slam and Elizabethan Bash! will be at 7 pm on Tuesday, May 3 at the Wadsworth Mansion, which is located at 421 Wadsworth Street in Middletown.

For more information, including Shakespeare Slam guidelines and Sponsor Forms, go to www.art-farm.org. If you still have questions, call ARTFARM at (860) 346-4390 or email info@art-farm.org.