Causes: Arts & Culture, Theater

Mission: To create exciting theatre - embracing our roots in Shakespeare who wrote that the purpose of theatre is to hold "a mirror up to nature" - to entertain, educate and create economic diversification and growth.

Results: Festival production quality continues to grow resulting in more out-of-town audience members. More participating youth are going on to college. More than 5,000 students from up to 325 miles away attend matinee performances annually.

Target demographics: Rural and suburban population of West Texas. Students. Tourists.

Direct beneficiaries per year: 15,000

Programs: The Southwest Shakespeare Festival of 3 plays, greenshows and readings. Globe Theatre season of 5 plays including an opera in collaboration with the Odessa College music department and a festival of new plays. Annual student matinee production of Romeo & Juliet. Odessa Brand New Opree: monthly live country and gospel music. Camp Shakespeare: a week long intensive for teens.