The Art of War (safely): Help us Gear Up

When actors have the right weapons, everything sharpens: the danger feels closer, the stakes feel higher, and the audience leans in, completely swept away. It’s not just safer for the performers — it’s braver, bolder, and far more thrilling for everyone. The right weapon turns a clumsy scuffle into a breathtaking duel, a simple confrontation into a moment that makes the heart race.

Imagine it: a young actor, stepping onto the stage for the first time, the cold hilt of a rapier in their hand. They move differently. Their eyes spark. They become the daring adventurer, the fierce warrior, the last hope on a battlefield. That’s the power of the right tool — it unlocks the story and the artist inside.

We’re raising $5,000 to create a full stage weapon arsenal that will serve countless productions to come: from the sweeping epics of Shakespeare to the rollicking battles of pirate tales, and the tense standoffs of historical dramas. Your contribution — whether it’s $10 or the full $5,000 — directly outfits our artists with the swords, shields, and pistols they need to tell unforgettable stories, safely and spectacularly.

Join us in forging the future of Festival Theatre — because some dreams need a cutlass, a broadsword, or a pistol to bring them roaring to life.