Community SpotlightCommunity Spotlight -- The Barksdales
Laurie Paolozzi

Laurie Paolozzi has been attending Shakespeare by the Sea with her family since the first season back in 1998.  She recalls bringing her daughters with their boyfriends and being surprised the improvisational pre-show, “I really enjoyed the improvisational performers during the pre-show the first year I came.  In fact, that was what convinced our teens to come.”

The other thing she recalls clearly is “how the actors flawlessly worked the passing motorcycle noise right into the show. I remember being thoroughly entertained. They just went with the flow. And the fact that they were really enjoying themselves translated to the audience.”

Attending theatre was not something the family did on a regular basis, but Shakespeare by the Sea was “in their budget” and it was “a great way to spend a summer night out.” SBTS quickly became an annual event for the entire family.

Laurie, a South Bay native, says “the outdoor atmosphere is the thing that attracted me the most.  It brought back memories of concerts I attended at Veteran’s Park in Redondo Beach when I was a teen.”  Laurie continues, “there’s nothing better than being outdoors, by the ocean and being entertained by a live performance.”

It’s an about face for Laurie who admits that when she was younger she “Totally avoided Shakespeare.  I loved musical theatre, was involved in musical theatre in high school, but not Shakespeare.”  Living in Torrance, the Paolozzi’s find themselves most attracted to the performances in Point Fermin Park. “You are doing a major community service. It gets people out of their houses to take part in something that’s unique.” says Laurie “ I never enjoyed Shakespeare in high school and never dreamed of attending a play, but now I am hooked!”

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