ACT FIVE Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow Reaching every single student in Arizona is the mission and the calling. “We fall short of that just because of funds,” Way said. Producing live theater is expensive. To get to the outer reaches of the state, Southwest Shakespeare has to hire a truck, and actors need to spend the night. “The schools do not necessarily have the budget to bring us in, but when we do come, they will remember it for the rest of their lives,” Way said. As a nonprofit with limited overhead, Southwest Shakespeare’s operating budget is lean. “We aim to break even, but people need to be paid. We want to put the best work out to the Phoenix public, and the students should be seeing the best actors. It is an art form and takes a lifetime of learning. Classical artists go through so much training,” Way said. Respect for actors, audiences and the work — this is where Way and Byrd’s missions align. “At the end of the day, we are telling stories, and we’re producing theater and training up theater artists, giving them opportunities to showcase their work, and showing our productions to a lot of schoolchildren,” Byrd said. But what if Southwest Shakespeare doesn’t get the financial support to make all of that possible? “Woe be unto the city that loses their Shakespeare company due to apathy,” Way said. “I don’t think it bodes well for the educational system or the state of mind of the residents.” Stakes are high as Southwest Shakespeare prepares for the new season. Byrd is bringing in two of her mentors and casting the best talent she can find. “We have some of the best directors in the country coming in. We have a Tony Award- winning Best Actress,” Byrd said. “We’re looking to give audiences of all ages a very exciting Shakespearean experience, where you come and we disturb the air.” To learn more, go to swshakespeare.org . 58 | FRONTDOORS MAGAZINE