UC Santa Cruz - Giving

Stories of Support

Winston family members (left to right) Jon, Gracie, Jill, Ellen, and Rozie.

A Little Help From Your Friends

Theater groups need a lot of help from their friends. UCSC’s Shakespeare Santa Cruz is fortunate enough to have a group of good friends and supporters in its board of directors: a dedicated team of community volunteers who generously give their time, creative energy, and strong financial support.

A stellar example is longtime board member Carolyn Hyatt, volunteer extraodinaire, events maven, and generous donor. Carolyn came to the Shakespeare Santa Cruz board through her friend and former board member Toby Alexander (who during her tenure raised more than $300,000 for Shakespeare Santa Cruz) and has been thinking up new and creative takes on fundraising since she arrived. Carolyn personally sponsors shows, organizes auctions, such as the art chair “Have a Seat” event, and throws parties, such as the wedding reception gala for the opening of The Taming of the Shrew, stating matter-of-factly, “Everyone should do what she or he does best, and I am a good fundraiser.”

Carolyn supports the festival because “it is the most exciting local theater we have a chance to be involved in here in the Monterey Bay Area.” High praise from someone who writes, directs, and acts. Carolyn’s experienced events committee, comprising current and former board members, has the zest and chutzpah to tackle any kind of event.“No one ever resigns from my events committee,” she notes. “One member comes up from Los Angeles to our planning meetings.”

Local child star and Montessori student Gracie Winston indirectly brought her father Jon Winston onto the Shakespeare Santa Cruz board. Her performances in Macbeth in 2001 and in 2003’s holiday show, TheEmperor’s New Clothes, were, according to Jon, “life changing.” He added, “Gracie’s experience in the productions was magical. The cast, from children to students to equity actors, formed a bond that transformed everyone.” Already a festival supporter, Jon was on the board only a few months when he strengthened his commitment and raised his giving to become a show sponsor. Jon said, “Jill and I strongly support the arts, especially groups focused on children and our community. We’ve had a long affinity for the festival, and now, being a member of the board, I wanted to step up with a higher level of support.”

Both Carolyn and Jon have many connections to Shakespeare Santa Cruz that enhance and transcend their current board membership. Both plan to stay involved and continue their commitment for years to come. As Carolyn said, “I am a supporter of Shakespeare Santa Cruz in perpetuity.” The festival couldn’t ask for better friends.