BY VICTOR A. PATTON
CV Journalism Collaborative
Heike Hambley and her husband David are Division I fans of all things The Bard of Avon – an appreciation they’ve shared with Valley audiences for more than 20 years through their theatrical organization Merced Shakespearefest.
The organization brings a great deal of cosmopolitan flair to Merced by performing free productions of Shakespeare’s work in Applegate Park, from “Romeo and Juliet” to “As You Like It.”
They’ve also performed at venues throughout the Valley and collaborated with organizations like the Merced Symphony, finding unique ways to bring Shakespeare to modern audiences.
Unfortunately, after years of devotion and hard work aimed at making Merced Shakespearefest a success, the organization recently suffered a tremendous setback.
The couple’s Merced home in the John Muir neighborhood area was burglarized while they were away on vacation.
Thieves cut locks, forced open windows and took all of the items that make the performances possible – including audio equipment and amplifiers, even replica daggers and swords that are used on stage by actors.
Heike, who is founder and artistic director, said her husband David returned home around 9 p.m. Aug. 4 and discovered their residence had been ransacked, along with storage sheds and a garden house/studio on the property.
As if that weren’t bad enough, the thieves also took personal items, including a coin collection, wallets, electronics, tools, cash, credit cards and other items.
Heike spoke to The Merced FOCUS a few days after the burglary, saying the crime has left her feeling shocked and violated.
Still, she is trying to keep a positive outlook, saying she spoke to her neighbors afterward, encouraging them to look after one another.
“You never think something bad like this is going to happen to you,” she said. “You have a feeling that the world is a good place. Emotionally this was very difficult. It has been very challenging to my worldview.”
The crime was reported to Merced police, but so far no arrests have been made and no items have been recovered.
The company is still taking inventory of the total loss, which could be upwards of $3,000.
The burglary of Merced Shakespearefest is compounded by the fact that another fixture in the arts community was also recently targeted by thieves. Playhouse Merced on downtown’s Main Street was burglarized, losing a “significant amount” of equipment, according to a social media post by the organization.
Heike said she is not sure if insurance will cover all of the items, saying her organization will probably have to fundraise in order to recover from the crime.
Colton Dennis, executive director of the Merced Multicultural Arts Center, said he too was shocked after hearing about the burglary. “Arts in general are tough to fund, and now we have two companies that have had their equipment stolen,” Dennis said.
“And it’s a really hard time because with inflation and the California budget the way it is, funding for grant opportunities is down. It’s just another thing to add to the hardship of running a nonprofit arts organization.”
Merced Shakespearefest also has a special place in Dennis’ heart, as he has acted in several of their productions. The theater company and the city’s growing arts community is what actually helped encourage him to move from Modesto to Merced years ago.
“I think (Shakespearefest) brings a lot of people who normally wouldn’t come to Merced or haven’t really experienced it,” Dennis said. “We have people that have been here from almost day one that keep coming back, and they are from all over the Central Valley.”
Despite the setback, Heike said she and her company are moving forward with their next play. Merced Shakespearefest is collaborating with UC Merced’s Spanish Program for a production of “La Vida es Sueño/Life is a Dream” by playwright Calderón de la Barca.
The play will be performed in Spanish and English at the Merced Multicultural Arts Center in October. Auditions begin in three weeks.
Heike said many members of the Merced and Valley arts community have already stepped forward to offer suport after hearing about the burglary. “The arts community in Merced is very close-knit. If I need something, I am sure someone will have it, to lend it to us,” Heike said.
“I heard already from Merced College, and from the (Merced Multicultural Arts Center), Prospect Theater in Modesto (and) private people. They have some sound equipment, they will lend that to us. And that’s very heartwarming to see.”
In the meantime, Heike said she expects to do online crowdfunding in the future to help cover the losses.
Those who would like to financially support the organization can also make donations by visiting the Merced Shakespearefest website at mercedshakespearefest.org.
