Winter 2000 p. 7

Texas Shakespeare Festival Funding Cut
As reported by Sharron Bower
Actress and former Texas Shakespeare Festival Participant

Dear friends, colleagues, and theatre-loving organizations. Just wanted to let you know that one of our own, Texas Shakespeare Festival (Kilgore, Texas), has lost the majority of its funding because Raymond Caldwell stood up for artistic freedom against arch conservatives in his community. They are also talking about forming a committee to censor future play selection in a college. Because of his choice to go ahead with his recent production of Angels in America at Kilgore College, Caldwell became the target of personal insults printed in local newspapers, as well as threats to his safety, and the safety of his family and theatre students. Now that the production has closed, those direct threats have decreased; however, his brainchild, the Texas Shakespeare Festival, is being strangled. Despite the steady trickle of protest letters from actors and directors all over the United States who have worked at TSF, and even an inspiring letter from Mr. Kushner, the powers-that-be at the college and in the community have pulled the festival’s funding—becuase Mr. Caldwell put on “a gay play.”

Texas Shakespeare Festival has produced professional productions of classic works every summer for over a decade. Mr. Caldwell’s festival has brought joy, culture, and commerce to the community . . . The future of Raymond Caldwell and The Texas Shakespeare Festival is unsure. Perhaps a new community will open its arms—the festival could relocate and continue its work. There are plenty of Texas cities that lack a professional Shakespeare festival and have the audience support for one. Or, perhaps the East Texas community will turn around, realize the value of the festival, hear the voices of protest from the national artistic community at large, and restore funding.Raymond seems to think this an unlikely ending.

On November 2, 1999, Kilgore College President, Dr.William M. Holda, wrote the following letter in support of the Festival:

There are several ways:
(1) within your own circle of influence, please let the action of the Commissioner’s Court be known;
(2) if you have ways of publicizing the loss of $50,000 by networking on the INTERNET, you will help spread the awareness of the consequences of preserving academic and artistic freedom and possibly help us recover some of the lost funds;
(3) if you know of any possible funding sources, please do not hesitate referring us to those sources, or referring those sources to us. Thanks so much for your ongoing support; it has buoyed us through these difficult days.

If you have questions, encouragement, or need additional information please contact: Raymond Caldwell at <RymndCldwl@aol.com>.

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