Presented in a range of magnificent settings in  Western Australia’s South West, Bard on the Bay will offer a range of entertainment activities and associated entertainment. 

The Festival will offer a range of entertainment but will be structured around  productions of :

·         Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” and;

·         Chaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales”

The other key focus of the festival will be :

·         Bard in the Classroom and Shakespeare for Grommets -  educational workshops run in schools.

·         Free Lectures for the general public

·         Acting and Directing Workshops

·         Themed Dinner entertainment at local restaurants

A  “ Battle of the Bards” competition will be staged for all the budding bards in the community.   The competition will be professionally judged and will have a total of $3000 in cash and prizes.

The  festival will occur in the week beginning Saturday 14th June 2008 and will run for one week at locations in and around the Busselton Shire.

Artistic Direction

The festival activities will be under the Artistic control of Stephen Lee.

Stephen moved to Western Australia in 2002 for family reasons.   Until that time,  Stephen worked in London and built a career spanning more that 30 years and 130 seasons including 70 of Shakespeare as either an Actor or Director.

Other highlights of Stephens varied career have included a stint on The Bill (Thames Television) and directing at Her Majesty’s Theatre in the West End . 

Stephen has taught at Lee Strasberg and Italia Conti, and has acted and directed in Grenada ( Spain ) and at the Raduga Festival in St. Petersburg .

Since moving to Perth in 2002, Stephen has appeared in Macbeth (directed by Marcelle Schmitz) and as Prospero in The Tempest (directed by John Milson) and has also acted in The Elephant Man (Naked Emotion Ensemble). 

He has directed Othello, Twelfth Night and Lysistrata for Class Act Theatre; set up The Method Studio, Perth and is Artistic Director of Attic Theatre, winning Equity/MEAA nominations for Best Play and Best Director for his production of A Christmas Carol in 2004.

After joining Bare Naked in 2006,  Stephen has either acted in or directed Romeo and Juliet,  As You Like It,  Othello & The Canterbury Tales.

Stephen has adjudicated at one South West  and two State Drama Festivals and currently teaches part time at The Entertainment Factory in Perth .

Volunteering

Volunteering for the Bard on the Bay Festival will be a unique opportunity for community members to play a role in Western Australia ’s only Shakespearean festival.

We will offer volunteer opportunities ranging from working in the office to serving on a task force to assisting in production to welcoming patrons during the season. 

If you are interested in volunteering,  please email Russell at : russell@barenakedtheatre.com.aurussell@barenakedtheatre.com.au

Benefactors

Benefactors are invited to make a minimum annual contribution of $1,000 to Bard on the Bay to develop and sustain our tradition of producing great plays.

As Busselton’s only professional  theatre company, Bare Naked is known for it’s high production standards and marvelously performed, accessible productions.

For benefactors to enhance their Bard experience and deepen their connection with the festival, we will offer a level of support including :

·         Reserved seating

·         Invitations to exclusive evenings at Bard including the season launch reception and ‘Meet the Artists’ events.

·         Early access to outdoor events to enjoy a pre-show picnic in our private hospitality marquee, as available.

·         Complimentary seats for all dress rehearsals

·         Tickets to any Backstage and Production Centre Tours

 If you are interested in being a benefactor  please email Russell at : russell@barenakedtheatre.com.auell@barenakedtheatre.com.au