Dear Ancianos:
This email aims to answer some questions a number of our merry band have asked about the 52ndAnniversary Shakespeare at Winedale Reunion Event set for Saturday afternoon and evening, November 5, at Winedale. You may ask: “Just what are those questions?” (And thus add to our total question-answering!)
But before we get into the questions and answers, we want to share what this particular “short-form” reunion is about. Specifically, Doc’s students who participated in his Shakespeare at Winedale classes between 1970 and 2000 are invited to honor and celebrate Doc and our shared experiences with Shakespeare and Winedale. About 30 of these “Ancianos” (we’d give you an exact count but that requires math!) are meeting for four days and three nights, leading up to performances of a few selected scenes on the Saturday night. Think of them as the Nerdy Thirty? Saturday evening, our weekend activities will culminate in a PERFORMANCE OF selected scenes on the theme of Reunion, chosen and cast by Doc. All Ancianos are invited to attend.
Now for the 52nd Reunion Q&A!
Question 1: “What if I’m not one of the Nerdy Thirty?”
Answer: “WE WANT TO SEE YOU AT WINEDALE ANYWAY! COME JOIN US ON SATURDAY!”
Our collective arms are wide open to Ancianos who want to come out on that Saturday, both to show Doc their love and to see their friends. We are keeping this intimate, so we respectfully request that spouses, partners, children, friends who weren’t at Winedale wait for the next landmark reunion in 2025. This particular off-year gathering centers on remembering and communing with Doc and with one another—not just the Nerdy Thirty who are performing, but also the veterans of the First Nerdy Thirty Years of Shakespeare at Winedale.
Question 2: “Okay, if I can make it to Winedale for the festivities on Saturday, Nov. 5, what are the rules, if any? What are the ‘best practices’ we should follow?”
Answers:
• Remember, remember, it’s on the Fifth of November! (Saturday, that is.)
• Please arrive 2pm or later on Saturday
• We will be working all day Saturday on a handful of scenes for Saturday evening so we may not be able to visit much before dinner. But we know many Ancianos who come on Saturday for the BBQ might want to participate more directly, so we may welcome you to sit in and offer ideas and feedback as we work on the scenes!
• We hope you will come for the BBQ (@ $25/person—and we will need payment in advance) at 6 pm, and that you’ll arrive early enough to be present for Roll Call as we all line up for BBQ.
• Scenes will be at 8 pm.
• After the scenes, we’re aimin’ to move the chairs aside and convene a Barn Dance! Bring instruments or favorite music to dance to! (You probably have some playlists with something special on them that you want to share!) Time for joyful exultation! Join Doc and JoAnn in some Texas Two Step! Or fake it!
Question(s) 3: “Okay, there’s performances and a Barn Dance, and also some food. Plus some Winedale rituals, I’m guessing. But what else is planned? Should I bring my own stuff to eat or drink or share with others? What if the Thirty make us Thirsty?”
Answers:
• We’re going to send out invitations via Eventbrite or email or some similar 21st Century tool so we’ll know how much BBQ and fixins to order.
• (Yes, we’re repeating this one because we really want your help in this.) Pre-performance, as people line up for the BBQ pit, the Ancianos will start the roll call of class years at Shakespeare at Winedale, and ask you to call out your names, ex-student by ex-student.)
• After the performances you will be required to participate—or at least raptly observe—the dance partay and mingling.
• Prepare to bring instruments and recorded music for the after–BARN DANCE.
• Bring your phones/cameras (what’s the difference, really?). We want to preserve this reunion for the ages!
• If history is any guide, some attendees will bring potent potables. Ancianos are by definition adults, but please be prudent and plan to allocate your driving responsibilities safely. Also, if you plan to avoid the late-night drive by staying over in one of the nearby B&Bs, identify the place you plan to stay and make those reservations now. (We can’t put you up or make stayover plans for you!)
We expect lots of good moments at the 52nd Reunion, both small and large. Plenty of happy memories and plenty of new memories to create together! We can’t wait to see you there!
Sincerely and with all love,
Your Faithful Border Collies
P.S., if you know Ancianos who aren't paying attention to this particular mailing list--the one dedicated to students from the 1970 class through the 2000 class--please feel free to email this update directly to them. But don't broadcast it to other lists--we're trying to be somewhat focused on the Anciano alums and Doc's tenure as director of S-at-W.