Fund raising is always a sore subject, especially when it comes to the arts. So much is said and not said when the National Endowment for the Arts is mentioned. Money and the arts, though seemingly unconnected, are inseparable. It was Ben Johnson who said "No one but a blockhead ever wrote except for money." The starving artist is a cliché. As any underpaid actor or artist who is working as a waiter or waitress will tell you, it ain’t a great life. So the issue of money is an important one, both in an individual sense and in a more general sense. In order to house and produce art a great deal of money is needed, not only to pay those starving artists, but also to cover the great costs of production. Rent to pay, rights to remit, and a multitude of other expenses. With diminishing governmental support, more emphasis than ever is being placed on local communities to support the arts.

Individual and corporate sponsorship has a great history. Artists have been commissioned and patrons have been opening their checkbooks since the days of the Holy Roman Empire. In addition to direct contributions, the fundraiser has become a mainstay of Arts support. The Martha Graham School of Dance, currently closed, may be looking at a second chance. Once closed for lack of funds, a huge fund raising drive has garnered enough support to allow the school a glimpse of hope.

The Harrisburg Shakespeare Festival is not immune from the need to raise money. Overhead and upkeep is now an issue after signing a new lease for their new acting space at Strawberry Square, plus the usual: salaries and the daily cost of running a business. And though corporate support has been great, there is still the need for individuals to muster their support for the cause. The fall is by and large a quiet time for the Festival, but their hands have not been idle. Preparations are underway for the summer production of "King John," the Popcorn Hat Players are busy entertaining and educating children, and on top of all of that the group put together and planned their annual benefit.

This year’s benefit, "fools, fairies, and fortune … The Folly of Shakespeare," was held on October 8 at the Dauphin County Bar Association building. It was a fun afternoon with plenty of food and folly, hosted by none other than "Puck" (Amy Alleman) from Midsummer Night’s Dream. Those in attendance mingled and talked about the local art and theatre scene, while nibbling on a selection of heavy hors d’oeuvres and tea. But the highlight of the afternoon was, naturally, the short scenes of comedy acted and played with few props and little or no scenery by the players of the troupe. Everyone laughed and applauded. The scenes were well done and well received, including a fun version of "Hamlet’s" gravedigger scene, featuring artistic director J. Clark Nicholson.

In addition to the benefit, The Harrisburg Shakespeare Festival along with The Allen Theatre co-hosts Shakespeare Goes to the Movies as part of their fund raising efforts. This fall’s film, Hamlet, the 2000 version with Ethan Hawke, shows on November 18 at 11 a.m. In addition to having a chance to see a critically acclaimed modern version of one of Shakespeare’s best loved plays, you will have a great opportunity to check out a quaint old style movie theatre with a connecting coffee shop.