"Be not afraid of greatness” “Some are born great… Some achieve greatness…

1. "Be not afraid of greatness” “Some are born great… Some achieve greatness… Some have greatness thrust upon them.” Twelfth Night (II, v, 156-159)

2. Proposal for the Reopening of the American Shakespeare Festival Theatre Prepared for the Town Council of Stratford, CTApril 1, 2010 Frank Tobin Enterprises5555 N. Sheridan Road, Chicago, IL 60640 (323) 661-3720

3. The Past“Whereof, what’s past is prologue…”--The Tempest, Act 2, Scene 1; 245-254 The American Shakespeare Festival Theatre Founded in 1955 • John Houseman, Lawrence Langner and Lincoln Kirstein Presented • Katharine Hepburn, Morris Carnovsky, Christopher Plummer, Jessica Tandy, and Rosemary Harris Masterpieces • Shakespeare, Shaw, Chekhov, Ibsen, Moliere, The Greeks, O’Neill, Williams, Miller and other contemporary playwrights. International Reputation • Comparable to The Metropolitan Opera, Theatre Guild and The Juilliard School

4. The Present“A tower of strength…”--Richard III, Act 5, Scene 3; 7-14 Shakespeare … is a billion dollar annual business • Oregon Shakespeare Festival generates $163,123,808 for the local and state economy • Stratford Theatre Festival in Ontario, Canada, generates $145,327,000 for Canada’s economy. • Shakespeare productions are presented in every major city and state across the U.S.

5. The Promise“Can one desire too much of a good thing?”--As You Like It, Act 4, Scene 1; 115-124 U.S. Nonprofit Arts Industry • $134 Billion in Economic Activity - $53.2 billion in spending by arts organizations, up 45% since 1992 -$80.8 billion in event-related spending by arts audiences, reflecting an average of $22.87 per person in spending for hotels, restaurants, parking, souvenirs, refreshments, or other similar costs—with non-local attendees, spending nearly twice as much as local attendees ($38.05 compared to $21.75). • $24 Billion in Tax Revenues in U.S. Source: Americans for the Arts, Art & Economic Prosperity: The Economic Impact of Nonprofit Arts Organizations and Their Audiences, 2002

6. The Potential“O brave new world, that has such people in’t…”--The Tempest, Act 5, Scene 1; 181-184 $134 Billion in Economic Activity • 4.85 million full-time equivalent jobs • $89.4 billion in household income • $6.6 billion in local government tax revenues • $7.3 billion in state government tax revenues • $10.5 billion in federal income tax revenues Benefits from Cultural Tourists • Spend more ($623 vs. $457) • Use a hotel, motel or B&B (62% verses 55%) • Spend $1000 or more (19% vs. 12%) • Travel longer (5.2 nights vs. 3.4 nights) Source: Americans for the Arts, Art & Economic Prosperity: The Economic Impact of Nonprofit Arts Organizations and Their Audiences, 2002

7. The Payback“Put money in thy purse…”--Othello, Act 1, Scene 3; 336-44 Spotlight on Connecticut 2,260 Arts, Cultural and Humanities Organizations • Spent $773.1 million, of which $350.8 million were for salaries, and $422.3 million was for operating expenses; • Received $798.9 million in income; • Had 22,254,598 admissions to their events, or over 5 times the population of the entire state. About 65% were paid admissions; • Collected and/or paid $32.4 million in federal payroll taxes and $0.9 million in state sales taxes; and • Received $119.8 million in indirect and induced spending from sources outside the state Total Economic Impact: $892 million Source: The Non-Profit Sector, 2002

8. The Payoff“The world’s mine oyster…”--The Merry Wives of Windsor, Act 2, Scene 2; 2-5 Cultural Tourists Good for Business Massachusetts • non-profit cultural industry employs 39,000+ people • contributes $2.4 billion+ annually to state economy The Berkshires • 2.5 million annual visitors • $283 million in travel and tourism expenditures • total economic impact of $452 million (1) Oregon • total economic impact of non-profit arts organizations on the state’s economy is approx. $262 million (2) Extended Impact • 62% of all adult travelers attended an arts and culture event while on a trip that was 50+ miles from home; • 32% of those cultural travelers stayed longer because of the event; • Of those who stayed, 57% extended their stay by one or more nights. (3) • Boston Foundation • Nonprofit Sector 2000 • Travel Industry Association of America and Partners in Tourism, 2001

9. The Partnership“Let not to the marriage of the mind admit true impediments…”--Sonnet 116: 1-8 • Re-establish ASFT’s non-profit status and board of directors; • Brand ASFT’s artistic reputation with the great American classical theatre tradition whose heir is Randall Duk Kim; • Revived ASFT to serve as economic engine for revival and revitalization of Stratford, Eastern Fairfield County of SE Connecticut community; • Explore co-branding of ASFT property with non-profit higher education entity (UConn, Yale University); • Establish ASFT professional classical theatre training academy

10. The passion“To thine own self be true…”--Hamlet, Act 1, Scene 3; 78-82 Our passion is the great classical theater repertory tradition; Our purpose is to work in partnership with the Town of Stratford to reopen the American Shakespeare Festival; Our promise is to deliver the highest quality classical theater which will catapult the American Shakespeare Festival into the top-tier of world-class performing arts institutions.

11. Principal Players“The purest treasure mortal times afford is spotless reputation…”--Richard II, Act 1, Scene 1; 176-81 Randall Duk Kim - Universally acknowledged as the greatest classical actor of his generation, Randall Duk Kim has been the heir to the grand tradition of classical theater repertory in America for over three decades, playing leading roles in Shakespeare plays and the great classical theatre repertory at such distinguished venues as American Conservatory Theatre, The Guthrie, Yale Rep and The New York Shakespeare Festival, among others. Formerly Co-Founder & Artistic Director of American Players Theatre, Spring Green, WI, where he portrayed over two dozen leading roles, including Hamlet, Shylock, Falstaff, Lear, Romeo, Brutus, Titus Andronicus, Petruchio, Puck, and many others, Kim has starred on Broadway and played memorable roles in such feature films as “Matrix Reloaded” and “Anna and the King.” Anne Occhiogrosso – One of America’s foremost directors and respected teachers of Shakespearean and classical theater texts, Anne was formerly Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director of American Players Theatre, Spring Green, WI, alongside Randall Duk Kim. Anne is universally acclaimed for her groundbreaking study and textual analysis of Shakespeare’s First Folio. Frank Tobin – Producer, Marketing, PR Fundraising & Management Consultant and former General Manager of American Players Theatre, Spring Green, WI and The Berkshire Theatre Festival in Stockbridge.

12. The Participants“A pair of star-crossed lovers…”--Romeo & Juliet Prologue: 1-8 ASFT Artistic Direction: Randall Duk Kim and Anne Occhiogrosso will head a company of 75-100 classical theater artisans including actors, directors, teachers, designers, technicians and production personnel; ASFT Business Management: Frank Tobin will supervise a staff of 30 professional theater administrators, marketers, fundraisers and administrative support personnel; ASFT Board of Directors: 25-30 influential, substantial members of the community who will incorporate as a not-for- profit entity; ASFT Business Advisory Council: 10-15 members drawn from the business communities of the Town of Stratford, the Greater Bridgeport-Stamford community and the State of Connecticut; ASFT Business Development Corporation: A not-for-profit company which will explore and develop licensing rights and commercial Ventures for tours of ASFT productions; ASFT Legislative Committee: Comprised of elected city, region, state and federal officials; ASFT Volunteer Organization: Hundreds of volunteers of all ages who contribute their time and energy to our vision; ASFT Training Academy– A world-class theatre training institute geared towards the professional theatre artisan and incorporating all theatre arts disciplines.

13. The Pitch“More matter, with less art…”--Hamlet, Act 2, Scene 2; 92-96 Potential Sources of Support Community Development Block Grants • It's the federal government’s way of distribution funds to states& cities.  money must be used provide economic development benefit to the community. Tax-Exempt Bonds for Non-Profit InstitutionsTax-exempt bonds for non-profit institutions are available to qualified educational, healthcare and cultural institutions that have 501(c) (3) status. Bond proceeds may be applied to construction and renovation projects, such as research and development facilities, medical diagnostic imaging facilities, museums, continuing care facilities, nursing or convalescent homes, academic facilities, and other institutional uses. These projects are not subject to the state volume cap on tax-exempt financing.

14. The Process“Light, seeking light, doth of light beguile…”--Love’s Labour’s Lost, Act 1, Scene 1; 72-79 PHASE ONE (April 15 - October 15, 2010 • Deliverables – Conduct ASFT Feasibility Study, Present Case Statement, Develop Fundraising Strategy, Donor Prospect List, Stakeholder Consensus, Establish working ASFT board committees, hold 1st ASFT Artistic Presentation; Explore Property Co-venture Partnership with Connecticut non-profit higher-education organization (Yale, U Conn, etc.). PHASE TWO (October 15, 2010 – April 15, 2011 • Deliverables – Secure pledge commitments from ASFT Board Members and Business Community; Assemble fundraising/corporate development team; Develop co-venture partnership with non-profit higher education entity. Finalize artistic plans for ASFT 1st season; Secure funding for 2011 ASFT season; Initiate ASF Academy Training Seminars; Corporate & Foundation Fundraising Campaign moves into high gear; Individual Giving Campaign; Develop strategic marketing partnerships; Finalize, structure & hire Artistic, Administrative & Technical Staff positions; • PHASE THREE (April 15-October 15, 2011 Deliverables – Launch School Matinee Program; Development of ASFT MainStage and Apprentice acting companies; Rehearsals begin; Fundraising & Marketing campaigns continue; ASFT Opening Night, 2011 launches ; 4 week inaugural season

15. The Plan“There is a tide in the affairs of men, which when taken at the flood, leads on to fortune…”--Julius Caesar, Act 4, Scene 3; 218-244 APRIL, 2010 • Hire Frank Tobin as Management Consultant • Retain Randall Duk Kim and Anne Occhiogrosso as Artistic Team • Develop ASFT Feasibility Study, Case for Support, Stakeholders   • Outreach to various state economic development bodies • Formulate Blue Ribbon Leadership Committee strategy to explore options for full restoration of property  MAY, 2010 • Launch ASFT Feasibility Study • Review reconstruction / renovation plans. • Cultivate Blue Ribbon Leadership Committee • Meetings with State & Federal officials June-July, 2010 • Continue ASFT Feasibility Study • Meetings with fundraising prospects • Meet with State & County Economic Development Teams, • Confirm members of ASFT Board of Directors • Assemble Artistic “Friends of ASF” • Plan Summer Community Cultivation Benefit Event July-August, 2010 • Artistic Presentation (date TBA) • Report ASFT Feasibility Study Findings, • Prepare ASFT 2011 Budget Projections • Launch ASFT 2011 Fund Raising Campaign September-October, 2010 • Continue ASFT 2011 Fundraising Campaign

16. Peer Pressure“Therein the patient must minister to himself…”--Macbeth, Act 5, Scene 3; 40-47 The Stratford Festival, Ontario, Canada • $50 million+ annual budget, with $41 million in box office revenue and $9 million in grants, donations and marketing partnerships • 600,000 annual audience • $145 million impact on Canada’s gross domestic product and approximately $125 million on the local economy* The Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Ashland, OR • $24 million annual budget • 400,000 annual attendance • Attendees stayed an avg. of 3.7 nights with an avg. daily expenditure of $116 • $163 million economic impact on the state of Oregon, of which $56 million was realized by the local economy. Shakespeare & Company, Lenox, MA • Celebrated its 28th anniversary • Embarked on a $16 million capital campaign to build a replica of the Rose Playhouse on its 63-acre property. • Received a one-time $1 million federal appropriation through a special U.S. Senate resolution, spearheaded by Sen. Edward M. Kennedy.

17. The person“Our remedies oft in ourselves do lie…”--All’s Well That Ends Well, Act 1, Scene 1; 232-232 Frank Tobin Areas of Expertise: Publicist • Producer • Arts Consultant • Arts Fundraiser • Arts Marketing • Arts Publicity • Special Event Management • Education & Community Outreach

18. The Presentation“A dish fit for the Gods…”--Julius Caesar, Act 2, Scene 1; 166, 171-177 Imagine… 

19. The Performance“The play’s the thing!”--Hamlet The American Shakespeare Festival Theatre presents its Grand Reopening under Randall Duk Kim and Anne Occhiogrosso, Co-Artistic Directors Inaugural 2011 Season The Merchant of Venice The Merry Wives of Windsor A Midsummer Night’s Dream (In repertory) June 30-July 30- 2011 Tuesday thru Saturday Eves. at 7:30 PM Matinees Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 PM Tickets $20-$65 Flexible Ticket Packages Available * Subscribe Now! Group Rates available Special discounts for students and seniors www.americanshakespearefestival.com