San Francisco Shakespeare Festival’s mission is to make the words and themes of Shakespeare accessible to everyone, regardless of age, ethnicity, financial status or level of education. By lowering practical and perceptual barriers, we encourage broad participation in the arts and make these activities a part of community life.
The Festival serves as a catalyst for audience development by reaching thousands of people who otherwise do not attend live theater or may have never experienced it at all. Our programming represents the plays in their finest light, demonstrates their relevance to today’s society, and inspires our students and audiences to seek out additional theatrical experiences.
We are dedicated to arts education, using our programs to foster a life-long appreciation of learning and the arts. We offer day camps and classes for children age 7 to 17, as well as in-school residencies and playshops.
2024’s Shakespeare on Tour brings a one-hour version of As You Like It to schools and public venues across California. Included are curriculum materials for educators. Optional playshops also available for students. Limited dates available.
See our list of performances open to the public!
Experience welcome but not required for our summer day camp programs for ages 7-18. Sign Up Now for the 2024 session in Santa Clara! (San Francisco is filled to capacity.)
Our annual gala fundraiser returns April 20, 2024 with All The World’s A Stage at the San Francisco Italian Athletic Club. Celebrating our 42 years of Shakespeare, there will be dining, a live performance of As You Like It, and everyone can participate in the auction to make donations and bid on wine, travel, experiences, and more.
Our 42nd season of Free Shakes returns to the parks in 2024 with our production of The Tempest, directed by Rotimi Agbabiaka. Dates, times, and locations for live performances (July-September 2024) will be announced soon. Meanwhile, check out our photo gallery for images from summer 2023!
Shakespeare’s Heartbeat uses the Hunter Heartbeat Method developed by Kelly Hunter of Flute Theatre, utilizing the iambic pentameter (heartbeat rhythm) of Shakespeare’s words and the physicality of his characters to engage with students on the autism spectrum. Geared towards grades 4-12.
Saturday Upstart Crows classes are physically and mentally engaging weekend sessions where students age 11-18 deepen their skills and knowledge through a comprehensive rehearsal process that explores language, history, voice, movement, text analysis, and play.
Already have a grasp of acting basics? Check out our Advanced Shakespeare Workshop (for ages 12-18) in San Francisco!
This 4-week conservatory program meets July 8-Aug 2, Mon-Fri, 9am-3pm.
Only 4 openings remain to make this a viable program; if interested we need to hear from you by May 15.
Details and audition information at sfshakes.org/asw/
Actors will take a deep dive into the themes and language of Shakespeare and engage in a thorough examination of character motives and objectives. The program culminates in an hour-long performance to which family and friends are invited. The workshop is being directed by Brittany Villars. In addition to being a Stage Director, Brittany served as a teaching artist with Seattle’s Young Shakespeare Workshop for 7 years.
Contact camps@sfshakes.org with any questions.
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Thank you Broadway World for featuring the SF Shakes Gala in your news roundup! ow.ly/M8TW50RrmI5 ... See MoreSee Less
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Thank you to all who made the SF Shakes 2024 ‘All the World’s a Stage Gala’ a resounding success! Over $90,000 was raised to support Festival programs.
Guests enjoyed an array of Italian delicacies, exclusive wines by the pioneering Napa winery, Freemark Abbey as well as ‘Arden Ambrosia’ and ‘Forest Fizz’ signature cocktails, emphasizing the theme of “All the World’s a Stage”, the famous quote from 'As You Like It', which was performed that night by Shakespeare on Tour.
Additionally, the troupe performed an impromptu rendition of Alan Coyne’s composition about the trials and rewards of tour life! ow.ly/6bvG50RrlOv
See more Gala photos, courtesy Gary Ferber Photography: ow.ly/F8vW50RrlOu
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SAN FRANCISCO SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
PO Box 46093
San Francisco, CA 94146-0937
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© 2024 San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, a 501c3 non-profit organization.