Check Out Courtyard Shakespeare written By Mackie Bailey

Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtyard Shakespeare (written By Mackie Bailey)

Hi Courtyard Shakespeare, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Courtyard Shakespeare was born out of a passion for mentoring young artists and celebrating the timeless works of Shakespeare. In the summer of 2018, Dan C. Schmidt, a dedicated Kansas high school drama teacher, envisioned a space where local high school and college theatre students could work alongside seasoned professionals, particularly alumni from the Kansas City area. His idea was simple but powerful: to foster creativity, collaboration, and clarity in Shakespearean productions, all while nurturing the next generation of theater artists.

After Dan’s untimely passing, and during the challenging period of the 2020 industry shutdown, his former students and colleagues refused to let his vision fade. They came together to produce *A Midsummer Night’s Dream* in the very courtyard where Courtyard Shakespeare first began, reigniting the spirit of the company and honoring Dan’s legacy.

Today, Courtyard Shakespeare continues to grow, preparing for its fourth production since Dan’s passing. The company remains committed to the values he championed—beautiful storytelling, joyful collaboration, and respect for the enduring work of Shakespeare—ensuring that his legacy lives on in every performance.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Running Courtyard Shakespeare has been far from the smoothest of sailing—it’s been a journey filled with challenges and perseverance. As a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, we’re entirely volunteer-run, which means every step forward has been hard-earned. Our Resident Artists, who consider Courtyard Shakespeare their artistic home, dedicate countless hours to training young artists through our workshops and productions, all while balancing their own careers and personal lives.

Behind the scenes, our board of directors manages the daily operations of the company. However, every board member has a full-time job elsewhere, so time is always a scarce resource. We’re constantly juggling our ambitious artistic vision with the realities of our limited time and resources. That’s why we’re actively looking to expand our board—because, as the saying goes, “many hands make light work.”

This company was built in memory of Dan C. Schmidt, a beloved theater teacher who meant so much to many of our Resident Artists. That personal connection makes Courtyard Shakespeare more than just a project—it’s a deeply emotional, passion-driven endeavor. The years following Dan’s passing were especially difficult, filled with both grief and healing.

Our biggest struggle, though, has been balancing our creative goals with the financial realities of running a new non-profit. We rely entirely on community donations, patrons, and grants to produce our shows. The challenge has always been finding the resources to bring our artistic vision to life, but we continue to push forward, driven by our passion and the belief in the transformative power of theater.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Who leads Courtyard Shakespeare? Our company is guided by a dynamic team of theater professionals, each with a deep personal connection to our roots. Jordan Foote, the Director of Theatre at Blue Valley Southwest High School in Overland Park, and Mackie Bailey, the Director of Theatre at Mata Montessori School in Dallas, TX, both bring their educational expertise to the forefront. Alongside them is Hersh Ellis, a professional director and designer based in New York City, who works extensively in NYC and London. Interestingly, all three of us are graduates of the Blue Valley School District and former students of Dan Schmidt, whose legacy we continue to honor through our work.

Our journey as a company began after Dan’s passing, with our first production being *A Midsummer Night’s Dream* in 2022, co-directed by Hersh and Mackie. It was an emotional and cathartic experience, performed in the courtyard of BVSW, where we celebrated Dan’s life and the beginning of this new chapter. Since then, we’ve solidified our non-profit status, thanks in large part to Caleb Jenkins, a resident artist and former board member based in Chicago.

In 2023, we produced *Much Ado About Nothing*, and this year, 2024, we took on our most ambitious project yet—*Romeo and Juliet*. Directed by Mackie Bailey and Pat Pribyl, with set design by Hersh Ellis, it featured our largest cast to date and was a remarkable success.

What sets Courtyard Shakespeare apart is our unique blend of professional and educational theater. We create an electrifying environment where students perform alongside industry professionals, receiving hands-on workshops and training. And we do all of this in just 10 days—it’s like a Shakespeare summer camp on steroids! The process is intense, with the cast arriving with their lines memorized and diving straight into rehearsals and workshops. For our resident artists, it’s the highlight of the summer.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, our leadership team was a mix of creativity, curiosity, and a deep love for storytelling. We were all the kind of kids who found a home in the theater—drawn to the magic of performance and the camaraderie of working with others to create something meaningful.

Jordan Foote was involved in many activities and sports as a kid, but creative play was always a big part of his upbringing. He was constantly creating characters and stories in the backyard. He was a good student but very talkative in class. In middle school, he was finally directed to the drama classroom and that served as an incredible outlet for his creative energy. In high school, Jordan was blessed to have many great teachers including Dan Schmidt and they sparked his passion for education.

Mackie Bailey was driven and imaginative—constantly dreaming up stories and scenarios, whether it was in school plays or just playing make-believe at home. She was very involved in school, joining and creating clubs, dancing and acting. She has always ambitious and striving to do more. She was always drawn to the way theater allowed her to step into different worlds and bring those worlds to life for others.

Hersh Ellis was the one fascinated by the directorial side of things—how lighting, sound, and design could transform a simple stage into an entirely different place. His interest in directing and design grew from that early curiosity, always wanting to understand how every piece of the puzzle fit together to tell a story.

We were all passionate about theater from a young age, but more than that, we were passionate about how theater could bring people together—whether it was on stage or off. That shared love of collaboration and creativity is what ultimately brought us together as leaders of Courtyard Shakespeare.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: courtyardshakespearekc