I’m a public school teacher in Seattle, Washington. Before COVID-19, I would regularly bring student groups of 15-30 kids to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (currently grades 9-12; I also brought student groups when I taught grades 6-8). We’d stay at a local hotel for three nights, use ABC taxi from and to the airport, and eat out three meals a day.

Shakespeare was only one of the offerings for our groups. Frankly, it was the new and diverse programming that kept us coming back and I was thrilled with the announcement of Nataki Garrett taking over as artistic director.

If she were to be replaced we’ll quit coming. Forget it. We’ll keep our $40,000 trip in Seattle. 

Ben Stuart

Seattle Schools, Washington