(Photo by Dion Ogust)
It wasn’t just another day at the office for Woodstock Town Supervisor, Jeremy Wilber, when he received a trio of Chinese tourists in April. An older gentleman and a couple in their 30’s came into Wilber’s office at the Comeau Property’s town office. “I was, you know, sitting in my office, barking orders and raising taxes, when they arrived. The young woman was a professor of education at Beijing Normal University and had been in the U.S. for courses at Columbia University. She came to Woodstock and fell in love with the town,” he says.
In the time they spent chatting together, the visitors inquired about the Byrd-on-a-Cliff stage and Wilber told them about the summer Shakespeare series and confessed he had acted in a few of the productions, adding that he had been reading The Bard his entire life. And the tourists learned that Wilber was an author of a self-published book, Miles From Woodstock (2014), and that copies were available in the local bookstore. “I also told her about Richard Heppner and the Historical Society, and about Alf Evers’ iconic history of our town. Two days later, she came back with my book and wanted me to sign her copy of it. And, a week later, I got an email — from Professor Xiduo Cao, assistant professor at the Center for Teacher Education Research, Beijing Normal University — inviting me and my wife to visit China.”
The trip is funded by the Professor’s cultural exchange program, which provides support for international flights and accommodations in China. Professor Xiduo Cao hopes that a cultural exchange will be established between China and the U.S. or, at least, between Beijing University and the Town of Woodstock.
Wilber and his wife, Fran Azouz, will participate in the 30th anniversary celebration activities of Beiguo Theater Club at Beijing Normal University for a week this spring. He will deliver a speech on the subject of the theater culture in Woodstock, and share his own experiences as a Shakespearean performer at Byrd-on-a-Cliff’s summer stage on the Comeau property. Wilber says, “And, I love this part…sitting next to me on the stage will be one of the premier Chinese authors on Shakespeare.”
Wilber’s visit attracted the attention of members of the Beiguo Theater because, as Professor Xiduo Cao wrote to Wilber, “they are more interested in persons like you who enjoy Shakespeare rather than sheer scholars. Besides the influential professor I mentioned to you, there are probably three other professional persons who will join in. They used to be members of Beiguo Theater and after graduation, have selected jobs related to stage performance. For this reason, they hope to have more conversations with you and with each other on the subject of Shakespeare.”
There will also be a cultural event at Danxiang Bookstore in Beijing where Woodstock’s literate Town Supervisor will have the opportunity to share Woodstock culture; display some materials and photographs; and play CDs of Woodstock musicians. The theme, “Woodstock: A Town Full of Stories,” will allow Wilber and his wife, Fran, to share stories with the audience and listen to stories of small cities and towns in China, too.
Before leaving Beijing, Woodstock’s first couple will also address Professor Xiduo Cao’s class on “Leadership and Management in Education.” Both Jeremy and Fran will have the opportunity to speak with international masters-level management students from several different countries. “I requested as much contact with students as possible,” says Wilber, adding, “I find this hilarious — come in and look at my desk someday! What she said to me is too flattering to even repeat, and I hope I meet all their expectations.”
The trip all became real just a week ago, he says. “It’s not easy to get a Visa to the People’s Republic. I had to go to New York City three times, though twice I was already there on other business, because the first time my letter of invitation didn’t have the proper stamp on it,” Wilber says.
He’ll bring up to 22.5 kilos of “really worthy stuff” with him, too. “I’m trying to bring representative materials with me to give to them, including some items from the Woodstock Festival, the Woodstock Historical Society and some of our arts organizations. I’m limited on the plane and can only bring so much. Plus, I need room for an extra pair of underwear!”
