Back in 2011, Tulsa hosted an unforgettable outdoor performance of Shakespeare’s “As You Like It” at Centennial Park. As a marketing agency dedicated to helping good organizations grow by telling their stories, Aqua Vita Creative had the honor of creating the brand and merch for this community event. Drawing from Saul Bass’s classic art style, we crafted visuals that captured the essence of the play while building buzz across Eastern Oklahoma.
Who Was Saul Bass and Why His Style for Shakespeare?
Saul Bass was a legendary graphic designer who revolutionized movie posters and title sequences. He created iconic artwork for films like “The Man With The Golden Arm,” “Anatomy of a Murder,” “Vertigo,” and “The Shining.” His bold, minimalist designs used symbolism to tell stories at a glance, which was perfect for an event like Shakedown in T-Town.
True to our Aqua Vita Way and “Deep Dive” proven process, we custom-illustrated everything by hand. We went deep into Shakespeare’s narrative: a thorned rose to symbolize Rosalind’s disguise and wit, and a crown to symbolize the court dynamics and power struggles that drive the plot. This symbolism wasn’t just decorative. It made the branding memorable and tied directly to the play’s themes of love, exile, and transformation.
We created a wide range of merch for this event, from keepsake posters to t-shirts, tote bags, social media graphics, print ads, event signage and more.
The Event: Triumph Over Tulsa’s Temperamental Weather
As for the event itself, Mother Nature had other plans. The weather conspired to cancel the play with pouring rain, but the performers pushed through and delivered an incredible performance. Everyone was soaked to the skin, but enraptured by the performance of the day. It was a testament to Tulsa’s resilient spirit and the passion and skill of the performers.
Why This Project Still Resonates in 2026
This is one of those moments in our history that will always stand out. Diving deep into the works of Shakespeare and Saul Bass, supporting local community theater, and witnessing an unforgettable performance amid adversity…it’s a satisfying blend for anyone who loves creative work.
Since that day in 2011, we’ve gone on to help over 277 businesses to brand themselves, connect with their audiences, tell their stories and grow with better marketing.
Our services have continued to evolve and grow with the times, and we still apply those same principles that made this event successful to our work in Branding, Content Marketing, Social Media Management, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and AI Optimization, Video Production and Photography, Website Design, and more.
3 Timeless Lessons for Event Branding in Oklahoma
- Go Deep into the Story:Like our rose and crown symbols, root your designs in narrative for emotional connection.
- Blend Classic and Modern:The classics are classics for a reason. Stories and designs that endure have much to teach us, and can still resonate today.
- “Pray for Bad Weather”: Acclaimed photographer David Hobby once said, “Pray for Bad Weather.” His philosophy is that while most people shy from adverse conditions, he sees such times as an opportunity to use them to create something different and beautiful.
