April 15, 2009
My name is Karyn Casl, and I will be your Company Manager this season (as well as a member of the acting company)—welcome to the 2009 Season of the Colorado Shakespeare Festival! I am very much looking forward to working with all of you. Following is some information you may find useful in planning your summer in Boulder.

Your Arrival—If you are coming from out-of-town, and are being housed by the festival, please email me with your arrival day/time as soon as you know it.

FLYING IN? The Denver International Airport (DIA) is about a 50 minute drive from Boulder. Due to the difficulty of organizing pick-ups for such a large company arriving at so many different times, we ask that you plan on using either the local RTD public transportation system, or the privately owned Boulder Express Shuttle. (NOTE: CSF does not provide shuttle service to the townhouses. Except in the case of union members, the cost of transport to Boulder is each company member’s responsibility. Union members, please save and submit your receipt for reimbursement.

RTD: RTD is the local public transportation system. The A/B SkyRide route from the DIA East Terminal to the final stop at 14th Street/Walnut Boulder Station will get you very close to the townhomes. Updated timetables are available at: www.rtd-denver.com. They generally leave hourly between 6:20AM and 11:20PM. The cost is $12.00, and they are clean and easy to use. A cab from the 14th St. station will cost approximately $7.00—Boulder Yellow Cab: 303.442.2277. If one of company management is available when you arrive in Boulder, we will be happy to come and conduct you to the townhomes.

BOULDER SUPER SHUTTLE: 303.227.0000: Boulder Super Shuttle has on demand service available from DIA. Proceed to the Ground Transportation area to the Super Shuttle desk to book service. They run until 11:30 pm—if for some reason you are arriving later than that, other arrangements will need to be made. Contact Company Management for assistance. We are in negotiations with Super Shuttle to get a group rate. If we are successful, there will be a coupon posted to the Company Website.

Getting Around Boulder

Boulder maps of a variety are available online at a great website: www.dickgilbert.com. The Varsity and College Townhomes are located within walking distance of the campus/theatres, but if you have the option of bringing a car, it will free you up to take advantage of more of beautiful Colorado. Boulder biking is also an excellent option (bring a lock!) However, public transportation is great in Boulder, and there’s plenty you can get to on foot with no trouble at all. Parking is available behind the Townhomes as part of our lease agreement.

Shipping: You may ship packages prior to your arrival, but to arrive no sooner than May 20 please. Ship to: Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Attn: your name/CSF Company, 1301 Grandview, Boulder, CO, 80309. Union members, please save your receipts to submit, or contact me for the CSF FedEx information, if that is your preferred shipping method.

Housing: Company members being housed will be in one of two locations, within walking distance of the campus, restaurants, watering holes, grocery stores, etc. NO PETS ARE ALLOWED IN THE TOWNHOMES. Each apartment unit is furnished with beds, basic furniture and appliances (including a microwave), but is NOT stocked beyond that (except in the case of Union Members). You will need to bring: sheets/blankets/pillows for twin beds, towels, toiletries, dishes, silverware, pots and pans, as well as any other items you wish to make your stay comfortable (FANS, a television/DVD player, blender, toaster, coffee pot, etc.) Once you receive your housemate assignment and contact info, it is recommended that you plan together what to bring so as to share the burden of bringing things. There is a stock of vacuums, mops, brooms etc., that will be available for borrowing. The townhomes are student housing, and not fancy, but are comfortable. Some students will be living in the apartments while we are there, and they can be loud (college housing folks!), so if you are a light-sleeper, a white noise machine or earplugs can be useful. Also, it is very DRY in Boulder—a humidifier can be a great boon to have.

Climate: Weather in Boulder can (and often will) change dramatically over the course of a 24 hr. period. Highs can reach 100-degrees, but dip into the 40’s at night, and afternoon thunderstorms are common. Be prepared for a variety of temperatures, and be sure to bring a wide-brimmed hat and sunscreen!!! Other useful items: flashlight, umbrella, poncho, reusable water bottle, swimsuit, hiking gear.

TV/Internet: The townhomes are furnished with Comcast cable, but you must provide your own TV (unless a union member). There are often used TV’s available in the thrift stores in Boulder—I can help you find them if you’re interested. If you wish to have internet in your apartment, you are responsible for setting that up and for all costs incurred—if you split the charge with your housemates, it is quite affordable, but if you decide to forgo this, everyone will receive a wireless internet access code which works on campus. The Boulder Comcast number is: 303.226.2278.

My contact information: Email is the best way to reach me—please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions you may have: casl.karyn@gmail.com. My cell phone is 530.559.7484. Again, I am looking forward to working with all of you—we will have several group activities planned throughout the summer, and fun is sure to be had by all. Here’s to a rewarding and successful summer!

Cheers,

Karyn