Globe of the Great Southwest Inc

It has been my great pleasure to volunteer at the Globe Theatre the past three years. My first job was just doing a bit of hand sewing for the yearly Shakespeare Festival. Working with Ann Wilson proved to be so much fun, that I was soon dropping by every day to see what help I could be to the staff.
This has led to a much deeper interest in not only the plays that are so well acted and directed, but the theatre itself. As a replica of the "real" Globe, it is a very special place in our community. Well noted for the architecture, stage design and Anne Hathaway cottage, people from other areas stop by just to tour.
Since my abilities do not lie in the actual theatre arts, making costumes and assiting with mail-outs, allows me to feel a part of one of our community's greatest assets.

I have been a volunteer at the Globe since 2003, working onstage backstage and with ushering/concessions. My family is also very actively involved. The experience of working together to help create something of value to the community is wonderful. The theater provides the opportunity for local (and not-so-local) students to see live theater. Seeing Shakespeare performed is much more powerful and thought-provoking than attempting to read it. The Globe also allows people who think they are interested in a career in the performing arts the opportunity to work with professionals. It gives them a chance to recognize the hard work and commitment that are involved. It also gives them a chance to begin building the skills needed to succeed.

Having spent a season working at The Globe, I can honestly say that you'd be hard pressed to find a group of people more dedicated to their art and enriching to their community. The Globe of the Great Southwest is an integral part of Odessa, TX culture, history, and future.

I have volunteered at the Globe for 10 years. Primarily working backstage, I have also worked in the office where you will find some great staff members. When I think of the Globe there is a song that comes to mind. "Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name and they're always glad you came". You're part of a family when you walk in to the door.

I was a volunteer at The Globe several years ago before moving to the Austin area to finish my bachelor's degree. Having such a wonderful theatre in West Texas is amazing. The Globe Theatre is such a wonderful place to act in, volunteer for, or to just go see great theatre. Sadly, I feel that The Globe does not get as great publicity and still remains somewhat of a hidden treasure.

I would love to volunteer here again... the people here are an added bonus to the theatre. They are interested in you as a person and not just a warm body in the seat; you feel like family from the moment you walk in the doors!

Within the passed year my daughter and I moved to the Permian Basin from Phoenix. We went to an open read night and was impressed by the age range and mostly from a young lady's play that was read. After asking questions, Catherine and Anthony came up to ask us where we had come from etc. So we had been invited to be more involved if we like. My 11 yo daughter had a great experience with a speaking role in Lion Witch and the Wardrobe!!!!! I have been impressed with the professional group, the working arrangements around school and other activities. They have never asked for money or great amount of time/ work from myself as a single mother. I didn't have to provide costume or anything, after coming from a small midwest farm community to find a theater that allows community involvement at our own terms is such a relief.
Then to see the productions are so impressive along with the potential of those young people involved are good to consider. It is with regret that the lost of my position that we will be heading back to Phoenix and not able to stay involved with this caliber of live theater in the future.
The grounds, theater and staff are amazing for such a remote, small community. A real gem of the southwest. I would recommend a trip to this area for one of the productions while seeing other nearby attractions or passing thru the southwest travels.

I have recently discovered acting with the Globe. It is a beautiful facility and the staff is amazing. They work so much more than they are paid for. They spend hours and hours working just to keep this theater alive. They are constantly bringing new music to the community and some culture to an area where there simply isn't any.

I have worked two stints for the Globe as an Equity Guest Artist for their annual Shakespeare Festival. It is a beautiful theatre, albeit underfunded and understaffed. The Artistic Director and Artist Manager are dedicated professionals who devote countless hours to the operation, wearing many hats, and have managed to stage some terrific work. For example, I have been privileged to see two fine King Lears at the Oregon and Utah Shakespeare Festivals, which are widely regarded as the top two Shakespeare festivals in the nation. Although the Globe has but a tiny fraction of those theatres' budgets and resources, in 2010 they were able to offer west Texas audiences Mikel MacDonald's rendering of Lear, which was every bit as fine a performance as what I'd seen on those more prestigious stages -- and that's saying something, because those performances were outstanding. (Obviously, the Globe can't compete with such powerhouses in top-to-bottom overall production quality, but that's a matter of dollars.)



Indeed, all of the professional actors, both Equity and non-Equity, whom I've worked with at the Globe were tremendously talented and hard-working. (That also holds true for some of the local volunteer performers.) Alas, the theatre needs more advertising and marketing in order to build and sustain a greater audience. Too many residents of the region have no way of discovering the high quality of what's right under their noses

The Globe of the Great Southwest is a local (and regional) gem! This theater represents the best of regional theater with its commitment to the Odessa/Midland region and to a quality theatrical season! In particular, the Shakespeare Festival consistently represents truly wonderful theater-- I am proud to be a member of the organization!

This is a rare theatre to find in a smaller local community. They have an amazing educational outreach program that I belive could grow with more funding and become a powerful force in our community. This theatre offers our city with a wide array of educational opportunities; it provides quality productions of both Shakespeare and more contemporary shows for schools across West Texas to attend, as well as for community members of all ages. It provides people an opportunity to learn from the audience, or while being on stage, building a set, a costume, operating a light board or any of the many other aspects that is involved in running a theatre.

I have been working with The Globe Theatre for many, many years now and I have to say it has been a fantastic experience! I have done multiple jobs there, from working the lights, ushering, and mainly acting on the stage. I have met many people through the Globe and I have to say every single one of them have become my extended family!

I am a patron and a volunteer. The Globe strives to present quality productions and involves the community of the southwest. I appreciate the diversity that I see. I believe the Globe successfully engages the talents of minorities and the handicapped.

I have been involved with The Globe of the Great Southwest for several years. I've done everything from acting, helping in the barter booth, ushering, guest directing and am currently on the board of directors. My experience with the Globe has been very enjoyable. The people who work and volunteer there are family. My home away from home.

Have served as a board member and a volunteer. Have attended most of the productions at the Globe. Am aware of the variety of productions that happen on the stage of the Globe.

I am a patron and a volunteer. I have helped usher and sell consessions. I help wherever needed, as needed if I possibly can. This is a wonderful theater with excellent performances, fabulous costuming, wonderful talent and magnificent direction and guidance. The people involved with this theater are friendly, helpful and highly enthusiastic. It has been a privaledge to work with and support this organization.

I am a volunteer. I act, stage manage, run lights and sound. I have been involved with The Globe for 10 years and love every minute of it. It a lot of hard work but worth every bit of it. I love working with Anthony and Katheryn. They have taught me a lot about the theater. There was a couple of years I spent my vacation days doing school shows.

The volunteers and staff at the Globe are like a family. Not only does the theatre premier and promote new works by new playwrights and players, they epitomize what a community theatre should be. Blending professionals and amatures, the Globe is a home for beauty and talent to mature and blossom. Whether it be a starting place, a training ground or an enjoyable entertainment venue, it enlivens the Permian Basin with its rich history and bright future. It is a bragging right of West Texas that the Globe is there and it brings visitors and economic and intellectual diversity to the area. My life would not be the same without them.

Wonderful variety of shows, fantastic costuming, wonderful theater with great ambience! Remarkably high talent level. Definitely worth the ticket price!

Wonderful variety of shows throughout the year. Where else can one find Opera, Shakespeare, Poetry, New Productions, Musicals, Readings, Etc.? The list goes on and on. We are so fortunate to have the Globe of the Great Southwest in Odessa. Come see us!

The Globe does amazing shows and is run by amazing people, Odessa would not be the same without it. I would not be the same without it.

The Globe of the Great Southwest is a perfect jewel in the crown of West Texas. The facility is a replica of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre of the early 1600's of London. However, under the excellent direction and management of Anthony Ridley and Kathryn Graybill, volunteering at the Globe becomes a treasured experience. Their expertise is a huge part of every production. The expectation of joy is never unfulfilled.

Being 18 and out of High School I decided to audition for shakespear at the Globe Theatre. I was looking in the newspaper and saw that they had placed an add for local actors to perform in West TX Shakespear Festival! I was excited and auditioned. For being my first time auditioning at this theatre they treated me as if I had been working as an actor for many years! The Experience was amazing! I am currently still auditioning for this theater until now. This happened iin 2003 and it has made me realize that acting is very fun, exciting, and can be a career in many aspects other than just acting.