The Mission statEmenT
OPEN AIR SHAKESPEARE is a 501 (c)(3)
charitable organization dedicated to sharing the joys and rewards that come from participating in or attending plays by William Shakespeare and other playwrights. Each year OAS shall produce theatrical events internationally, with diverse and inclusive cast members, while also providing performing arts classes for children and adults.
OAS is also Registered New York State Charitable Organization
Federal Tax ID # (EIN) 99-4747637
Board of Directors
Mary Sillith
Board Director & Treasure
Harry Lennix
Board Director
Aleta Chappelle
Founder and Board of Directors President
Gary Jones
Board Director & Secretary
Kelly Doss
Board Director
Julius James
Board Director
Robin Chappelle
Board Director
A message from our Founder and Board of Directors President Aleta Chappelle
Dear Supporters, Friends, and Visitors,
Thank you for viewing our website and I hope you will be able to join us "in-person" for the two Shakespeare productions we are presenting during the Spring and Autumn of 2026, at various locations in and around Lisbon. For our friends in Hudson, NY we would love to see you at our summer children's theatre production of "A Mini-Midsummer Night's Dream" on August 2nd, at the Henry Hudson Riverfront Park, in Hudson, NY, which will have all the roles played by young people.
Open Air Shakespeare is a US based 501 (c)(3) nonprofit and we would love your support. Your 100% tax deductible donation will allow this unique organization and the ensemble of actors we engage, to continue bringing William Shakespeare's works to communities that are often underserved in the US and Portugal. You will also be supporting our educational wing, which provides "free" acting workshops for children and low-cost acting workshops for adults, in addition to our Shakespeare-in-the-Schools Program, which was a huge success last Fall when the ensemble performed and taught Shakespeare Workshops at the International German School in Lisbon.
OPEN AIR SHAKESPEARE’S name is not only derived from performing in open air spaces, it is about being OPEN to people of every color, background, sexual orientation, religion and economic status. It's about being OPEN to new interpretations of Shakespeare's timeless text, OPEN to professional and amateur actors working together for a common goal, OPEN to nontraditional casting, and OPEN to uncensored creativity.
The people of Lisbon were the first to embrace my dream of forming this kind of organization and they have enthusiastically supported the past 6 Shakespeare plays I directed and adapted. I am also extremely grateful for the support from the City of Hudson, where we presented THE TEMPEST last summer and I lead a free weekly acting workshop for kids, in collaboration with The Hudson Eye organization. Our joyful cast of revealers and I, are forever grateful to the warm and supportive communities of Lisbon and Hudson.
I hope you will join us as an actor, a student, or as a fan of the priceless works of William Shakespeare, and that you will also consider financial supporting our Open Air Shakespeare mission.
Thank you and best wishes,
Aleta
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