While in the process of solidifying who and what we wanted Bard in the Burbs to be, it was also whilst reading Kenneth Branagh’s memoir Beginnings. In that book, he speaks of the forming of his first theatre company wherein he reflected exactly what we were thinking. We couldn’t have said it better. So we won’t try. Here are Sir Kenneth Branagh’s words to describe what we humbly strive to be. “We wanted to present popular art. Not poor art or thin art or even ‘arty’ art, but popular art that would expand the mind and the senses and really entertain. … I wanted to see whether fine performances from excellent acting imaginations could actually provide as much illumination for a play as a single dominant design or production concept. … I wanted the actors’ contributions to seem more than just a facet of the production.” – Kenneth Branagh OUR MISSION: Bard in the Burbs strives to focus on the importance of the playwright – their story, language, and characters – and thus provide an exciting place for people to flourish and enhance the community.