Why Elm Shakespeare?

Your brand isn't just looking for exposure; you're seeking to make a meaningful impact. By aligning with Elm Shakespeare Company, you're not just sponsoring; you're joining a mission. Here's what sets us apart:

• Community Impact: Spark conversations and bring diverse audiences together. As a sponsor, you're a pillar of cultural vitality, enriching our community's cultural fabric.

• Engage with Purpose: Reach an audience that's not just large but passionate and engaged. They value quality, creativity, and community, just like you do.

• Shared Values, Amplified Impact: Your brand thrives on inclusivity, education, and community engagement. Partnering with us means your message resonates deeply with our audience.

• Visibility Plus: Get seen in unique ways. From digital shoutouts on our buzzing website to memorable mentions at our events, we tailor marketing opportunities to make your brand shine.

• Digital & Real-World Connections: With impressive website traffic and engaging events, your brand gains extensive exposure and the chance to forge meaningful connections.

• Support What Matters: Your sponsorship goes beyond the arts; it's a commitment to diversity, education, and the well-being of our community. It's about making a difference.

What's in It for You?

• Targeted Reach: Access a dedicated audience of art lovers, educators, and community leaders.

• Brand Prestige: Align with the excellence of Shakespeare's works, enhancing your brand's quality perception.

• Continuous Visibility: Enjoy year-round exposure through our performances and programs.

• Customized Marketing: Benefit from marketing opportunities designed to fit your brand's unique needs.

• Networking Opportunities: Connect with a network of influential community members and potential business partners.

Join the Elm Shakespeare Family: It's more than advertising; it's about becoming part of a story that builds a stronger, more connected community. Your support helps us continue our mission, enriching lives and making a profound impact. Let's make a difference together.

Accessibility & Sponsorship

At Elm Shakespeare Company, we are dedicated to ensuring that our performances, digital platforms, and events are accessible to all members of our community, including individuals with disabilities.

Our sponsored events feature wheelchair-accessible seating, and upon request, large print versions of the production script with blocking descriptions to ensure that everyone can enjoy the magic of Shakespeare.

We proudly support inclusive education programs that cater to a wide range of learning styles and abilities, making Shakespeare’s works accessible to every student.

Our event planning follows universal design principles, aiming to create experiences that can be equally enjoyed by people with varying abilities without the need for special adaptations.

Our digital platforms are designed with accessibility in mind, featuring screen reader compatibility, alternative text for images, and captions for videos to ensure an engaging experience for all users.

We welcome feedback from our audience about their accessibility experiences, as it is invaluable in guiding our efforts to create more inclusive and enjoyable events for everyone.

Playbill Advertising—Elevate Your Brand with Elm Shakespeare

Unlock Exclusive Visibility and Community Engagement

Partner with Elm Shakespeare Company and immerse your brand in the heart of culture, community, and creativity. Advertising in our playbills connects you with a passionate, diverse audience. Here’s how you can shine:

Single Playbill Spotlight

Choose a targeted approach by featuring your ad in one specific playbill. Ideal for focusing on a particular audience or event. Includes playbills for:

Elm Shakespeare Company In the Park (Summer Production)

A vibrant outdoor theatrical experience that brings Shakespeare's masterpieces to life under the summer sky. 16 performances. Over 25,000 in attendance.

The Youth Festival of Shakespeare

A dynamic annual celebration where young talents come together to explore and perform Shakespeare's works, fostering creativity and passion for the arts. This is a one-day festival by youth, for youth, presented in a non-competitive environment. Over 300 in attendance.

Teen Troupe Performances

Engaging performances by our talented Teen Troupe, showcasing their interpretation of Shakespearean plays through vibrant and innovative productions. 9 performances throughout the year. Over 1,300 in attendance.

Building a Brave New Theatre

A forward-thinking series blending in-person and online events to spark discussions, performances, and community engagement around Shakespeare's timeless themes. Five events over a span of three months. Over 2,400 in attendance.

Season Pass

Maximize exposure and value with placement in ALL playbills for the season, including our Summer Production, Teen Troupe, the Youth Festival, and our hybrid series, Building a Brave New Theatre. This package offers comprehensive visibility at a reduced rate compared to individual purchases.

Artwork Requirements

• PDFs with fonts embedded

• Illustrator .eps files with fonts converted to outline (preferred format for logo)

• Quark or InDesign files with all fonts and images collected or embedded

• High Resolution 300 dpi .jpg

• No Word, PowerPoint or Publisher documents accepted

Submission Deadlines

• Artwork must be submitted at least 30 days prior to the first event for which the ad is scheduled.

Submit to

• partnership@elmshakespeare.org

Why Advertise with Us?

Targeted Reach

Access a dedicated and cultured audience including families, educators, and arts enthusiasts.

Enhanced Brand Perception

Align with the prestige and literary excellence of Shakespeare’s works.

Community Impact

Show your support for arts education and cultural enrichment.

Secure Your Spot

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to showcase your brand alongside Shakespeare’s timeless tales. Contact us today to reserve your advertising space and become a part of our audience’s story.

Digital Opportunities—Embrace Elm Shakespeare's Digital Stage: Enhance Your Brand's Visibility—Availability is limited!

Choose your digital space with Elm Shakespeare’s website and connect with an audience that values culture, community, and creativity.

Contact Elm Shakespeare to plan your website feature.

Home Page Footer Banner

Capture the spotlight on our main stage! The footer banner on our homepage offers prime visibility, ensuring your brand is one of the first things our diverse audience sees.

Summer Production Page Banners

Align your brand with the excitement of our Summer Production. Footer and right rail ads on this page place your brand in the heart of our seasonal celebration, engaging audiences as they explore show details.

Prepare for Your Visit Pages

Be a part of the anticipation. Right rail ads on these pages guide visitors as they plan their Elm Shakespeare experience, offering a unique opportunity to connect your brand with memorable moments.

Amplify Your Brand with Elm Shakespeare's Digital Engagements

 Leverage Elm Shakespeare's digital platforms to connect, engage, and inspire interest in your brand.

Email Spotlight

Feature your brand in targeted email blasts to captivate an audience already engaged and interested in Elm Shakespeare's offerings, perfect for announcements or special promotions.

ESC Run Time

The Run Time email is emailed to our entire audience from opening night to the close of our summer production. That’s 16 opportunities to promote your business or send a special message to the community. You have 50 words and a logo and hyperlink to connect with our subscribers.

Social Media Takeover

Command the stage for a day with a takeover of our social media channels, bringing your brand's voice to our dedicated followers through engaging content and stories.

Social Media Shoutouts

Gain instant recognition with personalized shoutouts on our platforms, spotlighting your brand's support of the arts.

Real-Time Product Placement

Integrate your products into our social media spots and videos, offering real-time engagement and visibility among our online community.

Special Features & Banners

Customize your presence with banners or special features on our social media pages, ensuring your brand stands out in the digital crowd.

Brand Builders

Pre-Performance Signage

Looking to draw attention to your brand? Put your logo on our production promotion materials such as banners, show posters, postcards and flyers sprinkled throughout New Haven.

Destination Sponsorship:

Drive traffic to your business by creating an official destination booth at Elm Shakespeare performances. Showcase a “can’t miss” experience for Elm Shakespeare attendees at a pre-performance booth. Sponsorship is a wonderful way to highlight a product, service, and drive engagement with our audience.

Contact Elm Shakespeare to discuss your Destination Sponsorship idea or brainstorm possibilities.

Charging Station

Charge up your branding and connect with Elm Shakespeare attendees by sponsoring a charging station at our summer performance venue in Edgerton Park. There is no question that our audience relies heavily on mobile devices and may need a place to recharge. You can be the solution.

Gate Sponsor

Position your company as part of the welcoming crew to our summer performances. Located in a high traffic area, you make your brand a focal point while audience members check in, donate, say hello, and explore the materials at our portal to the park.

Venue Sponsor

Create a buzz throughout the entire Elm Shakespeare Season with sponsorship of our venues. We partner with a wide variety of venues to produce our work. Your business can be included as a sponsor of one or all of our venues. You’ll receive prominent placement of signage recognizing your business, mention in curtain speech, and an opportunity to greet audiences and connect with potential customers at every performance. This is a fantastic opportunity to merge with a Destination Sponsorship.

Contact Elm Shakespeare to discuss locations and your vision for venue sponsorship.

Educational Program Sponsor

Position yourself as a subject matter expert and thought leader in front of the Elm Shakespeare audience. Your brand receives placement at in-person educational events, logo and potential digital advertising on virtual events, and the opportunity to co-curate content that aligns with Elm Shakespeare and our audience for our upcoming blog and LinkedIn messaging. Have a white paper you want to feature that aligns with Elm Shakespeare’s values and vision? Contact our team to discuss your needs and priorities and we’ll design a plan to get the word out.

ESC In Residence Sponsor

Transform your community through the power of theater by sponsoring an Elm Shakespeare Residency in a local school or nonprofit organization. This unique opportunity allows you to directly support arts education and enrichment, bringing Shakespeare's timeless stories to life for young minds and community members. Through workshops, performances, and interactive discussions, your sponsorship will not only cultivate a love for the arts but also foster critical thinking, creativity, and a deeper understanding of humanity's shared experiences. Join us in creating a lasting impact and inspiring the next generation of thinkers, creators, and leaders.

Contact our team to explore the possibilities.

Production & Event Sponsorship

Season Sponsorship

Elevate your brand to unprecedented heights with Elm Shakespeare Company's Season Sponsorship. This elite level of partnership immerses your brand in a season of storytelling and community engagement, reaching over 30,000 passionate members. As a season sponsor, your brand will not only feature prominently in our digital and physical realms but will also be celebrated in curtain speeches and exclusive signage across performance venues. Collaborate with our dedicated sponsor advocates to craft a bespoke package that not only meets but exceeds your strategic goals. Starting at $30,000, this is your opportunity to align with excellence, inspire audiences, and leave a lasting impression.

Contact our team to discuss Season Sponsorship.

Production & Event Sponsorship

Elevate your brand with Elm Shakespeare Company's Production Sponsorship, offering a multi-tiered approach to visibility and engagement. Enjoy pre-performance visibility through digital shoutouts and promotional materials, an onsite presence at shows with the opportunity for branded signage and interactions, and post-production exposure in our follow-up communications. This comprehensive package ensures your brand shines before, during, and after the curtain call, aligning with our dedicated audience and community. Individual production sponsorships range from $2,500 to $25,000.

Contact our team to build your custom benefit package.

Name a Night

Seize the spotlight with our exclusive "Name a Night!" opportunity during Elm Shakespeare Company's Summer Production. For just $1000, become a producer for the evening, enjoying unparalleled recognition among an audience of theater enthusiasts. Limited to three visionary patrons per night across our 16-night run, this unique experience offers not just a title, but a chance to align your name with the arts in a meaningful, visible way. Revel in the prestige of supporting live theater and make a night of timeless storytelling truly yours. Join us—your night awaits.

Contact our team to secure your spot in the limelight.

Corporate Volunteer Partnerships

Step into a world where your corporate team becomes the eyes and ears of Elm Shakespeare Company, actively shaping the future of theatrical experiences. The Elm Shakespeare BardWatchers Program, grounded in corporate anthropology, offers a unique opportunity for your organization to directly contribute to our understanding of audience engagement, operational dynamics, and collaborative partnerships. By participating, your team will not only support the arts but also drive Elm Shakespeare towards becoming a more responsive, insightful, and learning-focused organization.

Your Role in Our Story

Audience Insight Stewards

Through gate counts, seat censuses, and direct feedback collection, your team will provide crucial data that helps us understand our audience's demographics and preferences.

Sensory Observers

By documenting auditory and visual audience responses, you'll capture the essence of their experience, offering us valuable insights to enhance future productions.

Community Connectors

Experience Pollsters will delve into the community's perceptions and expectations, fostering a deeper dialogue between Elm Shakespeare and our audience.

Storytelling Ambassadors

Assist in gathering cherished community stories, setting the stage for our 30th-anniversary celebrations and beyond.

Benefits to Your Company:

Strategic Insight

Gain firsthand experience in applying anthropological methods to understand complex community and organizational dynamics.

Enhanced CSR Profile

Demonstrate a deep commitment to cultural enrichment and community engagement, elevating your corporate social responsibility stature.

Team Building

Strengthen your team's cohesion and morale through a shared, meaningful volunteer experience.

Networking and Visibility

Increase your visibility among Elm Shakespeare's diverse audience and collaborators, opening doors to new business and partnership opportunities.

Learning and Development

Equip your team with unique skills and insights that can be transferred back to your organization, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

As BardWatchers, your corporation will not just watch; you'll witness transformation—both within Elm Shakespeare Company and within your own team. This pilot year promises not only to enrich our understanding and connection with our audience but also to offer your company a unique platform for growth, learning, and community impact. Join us in this innovative journey, and let's co-create a future where art and business collaborate to inspire, engage, and thrive.

Contact Alice-Anne Harwood, our Director of Development, to build your team’s engagement plan

2024 Partners