Inwood Shakespeare Festival’s fond farewell . . . for now.
Sadly, with the end of our 17th summer season in 2016, ISF took its hiatus from our free Park cultural programming at Inwood Hill Park Peninsula.
The current situation
In our dialogue with the City of New York/Parks & Recreation regarding our return to Inwood Hill Park Peninsula and responsible use of the parkland we discussed the following:
After our first 10 years of public service, ushering in favorable reviews, positive press for the Park, encouraging our audience to support our local vendors, and inspiring many to make Inwood their home. Barbecuing was introduced to the Peninsula. Unfortunately, this engendered mass crowding during our traditional performance schedule. The situation has since grown out of proportion past the ability of the Parks department to enforce park rules. Setting up and breaking down our projects became a potential hazard to safety of our staff.
Park agreement. We would require extended guarantee of use and support for a minimum of five years in order to begin the process of fundraising for long-term community programming.
Financial viability. We are committed to return in circumstances where we can offer at least the minimum of union wages required to pay our staff and actors. The Inwood Shakespeare Festival has been a deep labor of love and it will always be provided for FREE but the financial costs are very high for the quality of productions that we produce. A long-term commitment from the City will be most beneficial.
YOUR voices – If 17 years of quality professional Theatre, classical, contemporary, English, Spanish, and Bilingual; 12 years of quality professional Chamber Music; as well as outstanding Opera Productions offered to many who would not otherwise have been able to experience these fine arts, will speak for itself then I leave the decision in your hands, my neighbors and friends. Without YOUR support, this program can not return.
If you want this program to return and flourish the CITY must hear YOUR VOICES.
CONTACT – Park Commissioner Mitchel J. Silver, your Park Borough Commissioner, William Castro and NY Parks Commissioner, Mitchell J. Silver. Let them know that YOU wish ISF to return and grow. Tell them how important it is to YOU.
CONTACT – your elected officials: Ask them to financially support ISF. Tell them how important Free Professional Performing Arts are to YOU and YOUR community. CONTACTS LISTED BELOW.
Join our email list to keep informed.
It has been a great honor and pleasure to serve you for these many years. With your continual support throughout our hiatus, I look forward to returning in the future. I thank; Catherine Bruce, my children (Inwood Natives All) Caitlin Frances, Samantha Frances and Sebastian Francis, the community of Northern Manhattan, and my talented colleagues for taking this amazing journey with me.
Meanwhile MOOSE HALL THEATRE COMPANY will continue!
In the interim
MOOSE HALL THEATRE COMPANY
will continue. Following the acclaimed production of DRACULA! A Tale of Flesh & Blood in October 2017 at 13th Street Repertory Theatre NYC, we are looking forward to new productions and events, (for traditional and nontraditional NYC venues) continuing in 2019 and in the years to come. To keep this vital theatre, music (and dance) organization Alive, please continue you financial support with a tax-exempt donation.
Anon,
Ted Minos
Founder/Producing artistic director
Moose Hall Theatre Company / Inwood Shakespeare Festival
CONTACTS
Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP, PP, RTPI (hon.), FPIA (hon.)
Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP
email: http://www.nyc.gov/html/mail/html/maildpr.html
Commissioner, New York City Department of Parks & Recreation
830 Fifth Ave
New York, NY, 10065 (212) 360-1305
William T. Castro: Borough Commissioner NYC Department of Parks & Recreation
(212) 408-0201
Arsenal West, 24 West 61st Street, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10023
Tel: (212) 408-0100; Fax: (212) 408-0202
Steve Simon, Chief of Staff to the Manhattan Borough Commissioner NYC Parks & Recreation
(212) 408-0110
Arsenal West, 24 West 61st Street, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10023
Tel: (212) 408-0100; Fax: (212) 408-0202
Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez
email: yrodriguez@council.nyc.gov
Represents: Washington Heights, Inwood, and Marble Hill
District Office Address
618 W. 177th Street, Ground Floor New York, NY 10033
District Office Phone
917-521-2616
District Office Fax
917-521-1293
Legislative Office Address
250 Broadway, Suite 1763 New York, NY 10007
Legislative Office Phone
212-788-7053
Legislative Office Fax
212-227-1215
Congress Member Adriano Espaillat
email: https://espaillat.house.gov/contact/email