New York Harbor's Globe Theatre in Jeopardy; You Can Help

A theatre in New York Harbor, modelled after Shakespeare's legendary Globe Theatre, is in jeopardy.

"Despite broad and overwhelming support, the National Park Service is about to disallow the adaptive reuse of Castle Williams in New York Harbor as a contemporary American Globe Theater," state press materials.

"On Governors Island sits a dilapidated military fortification ... and it happens to have the identical blueprint as Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. Given that Castle Williams was built for the War of 1812, to defend America against the British, we feel that it is appropriate to re-imagine the military fort as a vibrant performing arts venue where we celebrate our common cultural heritage.
 
The New Globe proposes a reversible inset of a performing arts venue within the open courtyard of the decaying Castle Williams. The plan re-imagines the fort as a vibrant educational and cultural destination in New York Harbor. Not only will the New Globe act as an economic catalyst for Governors Island and as a dramatic tourist destination and world-class cultural center, but will also generate the funds to restore, maintain and protect the monument. To date, the project has greatly increased the international visibility of Castle Williams and has won the enthusiastic support of community and civic leaders, as well as major philanthropists and luminaries.
 
The New Globe's Artistic Board includes Al Pacino, Kevin Kline, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Estelle Parsons, Mark Rylance, Kenny Leon, and Sam Mendes, with a long list of artistic supporters from Ralph Fiennes, Melvin Van Peebles, to Sarah Jessica Parker (for a complete listing, see www.newglobe.org). The New Globe proposal has received the backing of hundreds of individuals and organizations, ranging from Senators Schumer and Clinton to Congressman Nadler and Community Board #1.

The design was undertaken by Lord Norman Foster with leading preservation and landmarks experts. The adaptive reuse is reversible, does not impinge on the historic fabric of the 1811 monument and will protect it from further deterioration, is environmentally sustainable, and most important, will inspire millions to visit the Island and experience its historic treasures. The proposal includes a 3,000 sq.ft. museum to tell the story of Castle Williams and its role in the harbor.
 
Working in partnership with Shakespeare's Globe in London, the New Globe will develop new audiences by annually providing 125,000 affordable tickets, and its Education Program will serve 100,000 students of all social, cultural and economic backgrounds every year. The theater celebrates cultural diversity with an acting company reflecting the melting pot of New York and by offering programming celebrating the cultural heritage of the world."

While the New York congressional delegation is sending a letter of support to the National Park Service, the New Globe has kicked off a public advocacy campaign to raise awareness for the proposal. E-mails have already rolled in from locations ranging from Hawaii to Thailand, and theatre lovers can express further support for the campaign by visiting www.newglobe.org/campaign and following the instructions written on the website.

The Shakespeare Theatre Association of America has also posted a note on their homepage (www.staaonline.org) and Shakespeare's Globe in London is sending out an email to their subscribers.

Picture provided by Foster and Partners