Shakespeare 'HEROES' contribute to disaster relief

A Grand Valley State University donation to the American Red Cross caps a special relationship begun last year.

When Grand Valley’s Shakespeare Festival selected Love’s Labour’s Lost for their fall 2006 production, they gave it a twist by choosing the elegant look of early twentieth-century New Orleans for its setting. Along with paying tribute to the city’s incredible musical heritage, the festival organizers felt compelled to pledge a portion of the box office proceeds to disaster relief, in the wake of the 2005 hurricane damage.

On Monday, April 9, festival Director James Bell presented a check for $600 to Laurie Clark, fund development director from the American Red Cross of Ottawa County. The amount consisted of 5 percent of ticket sales. In addition, private donations from audience members and production staff were collected during the run of the show. In appreciation, the Red Cross added Grand Valley’s Shakespeare Festival to its list of “HEROES” who donated funds for humanitarian work.

“The connection between life and art is an essential part of Theatre at Grand Valley,” said Bell. “The university’s pride in its creative work continues to inspire the kind of dedication that made this donation possible.”

Grand Valley has the state’s oldest and largest Shakespeare Festival. Each year the festival includes a mainstage production, a scholar-in-residence, a Renaissance Festival and the traveling troupe, Bard to Go. For more information visit www.gvsu.edu/theatre .