The Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival is more than just plays on the beach at Sand Harbor State Park.
It is a non-profit organization with a mission to bring fine arts and culture to the residents and visitors of Reno-Lake Tahoe and educate future generations on the importance of the arts, theater and music.
The festival, celebrating its 35th year this summer, is able to accomplish this through the support of the community, its patrons and its corporate sponsors. New sponsors stepping up to the plate for the 2007 season include Harrah's/Harveys at Lake Tahoe and the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno.
Major sponsors continuing in their support of the festival are the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority (RSCVA), Microsoft Licensing, GP and Wells Fargo Bank.
Charter Communications also returns as one of the festival's largest media sponsors, along with KRNV Channel 4 and Reno Gazette Journal. Additionally Chase International Realty, headquartered at Lake Tahoe, returns as a sponsor.
"We cannot say thank you enough to all of our sponsors whose support allows us to increase our entertainment offerings and educational outreach each season," said Catherine Atack, Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival Executive Director .
"Their support provides our organization with the financial stability to continue to bring our summer season of events to residents and visitors, ensuring our mission is achieved and continuing to provide enhanced programming both during the festival and in schools throughout the academic year."
Additional sponsors for 2007 include: Cal Nevada Insurance, Carson Tahoe Regional Healthcare, Diageo, Dr. Jonathan Smith, Fosters Wine Estates, Intero Real Estate Services, Nevada Security Bank, Scottish Newcastle, Northstar-at-Tahoe and Sierra Pacific Power Co.
The season extends from July 12 through Aug. 19 featuring three plays: "Romeo & Juliet," "The Taming of the Shrew" and the witty, contemporary play Greater Tuna, the first non-Shakespeare production to appear on the festival's stage.