• Plant Donation Network for public spaces only
• Community Gardening Links Networking and Resource Opportunities:
• Statewide Awards Program recognizing individuals and organizations who have made outstanding contributions to greening efforts in public gardens and community projects
• Complimentary copies are available upon request of the handbook: Creating Community Gardens: A Handbook for Planning and Creating Community Gardens to Beautify and Enhance Cities and Towns.
• Technical Assistance and Referral

Throughout the summer, the Shakespeare & Company theatre troupe puts on classical, costumed plays at their outdoor theatre complex located on the Century College campus in White Bear Lake. The company’s goal is to provide an environment where families can enjoy theatre in an informal picnic atmosphere. “The essence of the theatrical experience is the actor-audience relationship,” says George M. Roesler, Artistic Director of the company. “The outdoor setting helps create a unique experience where the audience feels a freedom to engage and react to the performers, and the performers feel a freedom to reach out and draw the audience into the performance.”

Perennial and annual beds around the ticket booths, sound wall and stage add natural beauty to the productions. “The gardens enhance the performances,” says volunteer gardener Cheryl Frostcouture. “All the colors, textures and smells add to the atmosphere and magic of the theatre for both the actors and the audience. It connects people in a way that only plants and nature can, and we are so thankful to Minnesota Green for helping us accomplish that.”

Founded by George Wade, the company’s Shakespearian Memorian Garden—the signmaker’s mistake on “Memorial” on the garden’s sign is a beloved quirk of the garden—features Shakespeare-named roses and plants that are mentioned in his works. In this garden bed, community gardeners, composed of people from the neighborhood and members of the theatre company and ranging in age from 3 to 73, grow plants in memory of company members and friends and family who have passed away. ”It’s a beautiful part of the performance space,” says Cheryl. “Plants become living memories. The company changes, but the garden is a constant.”

--Brenda Harvieux

For more information on the Shakespeare and Company theatre troupe, visit www.shakespeareandcompany.org.