Editor,

The following is a letter of gratitude from the Island Shakespeare Festival and it will likely overlook a valued contributor, but to the best of my knowledge I have included the many that come to mind while knowing there are many more.

First, we would like to thank our community that helped to make this festival such a great success this year. A huge thank you to all of our patrons who came to enjoy this amazing season. We so appreciate our organization members. We are indebted to the all those who donated money at our various fundraising efforts.

Also, a giant thank you to the many businesses who sponsored ads in our playbill which made it possible for us to produce three plays in repertory this season. We are deeply appreciative of our our season sponsor Whidbey Telecom and the Big Gig and our three production sponsors: Edward Jones representative Kevin Lundgren, Ervin Knezek and David Bieniek and Maryann and Thomas Bast. We would also like to thank the City of Langley, The Port of South Whidbey and Island Co. for grants for promotion.

We would like to thank our artistic director, Olena Hodges for putting together an outstanding season of plays and for choosing incredibly talented directors, actors and designers who graced our stage. We are deeply indebted to Michelle Durr who keeps our finances straight and picks up so many pieces throughout the year. Many thanks to Dave Gignac for designing and building our beautiful new theater space.

And finally, to the myriad of volunteers and seasonal staff, who help each year to make this festival happen: Rob Durr and India Rassner-Donovan, Sarafina Durr; to Peggy Juve, for eight seasons of dedication; our board of directors: Kathryn Stevens, Ginger Waters, Deborah Nedelman, Dayle Gray, Sarah Sanborn, Stephen Merritt, Rob Scott and Maryann Bast; and the volunteers who helped with greeting and seating our guests this summer.

Lastly, thank you to the man at the gate, Rod Stewart who collects data for nearly all of our 35 performances. Rod is always there to lend his hands wherever and whenever we need him. He truly is a perfect candidate for Mr. South Whidbey!

Sincerely,

RENE NEFF

Island Shakespeare Festival president