Mission: The mission of the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival is to make the words and themes of Shakespeare available to everyone, regardless of age, ethnicity, financial status, or level of education.
We believe that Shakespeare experienced in a communal setting, whether it be outdoors, in a classroom, or in a theater, uplifts the soul, inspires the mind, and unifies those who sit beside each other.
Results: The Festival has served over 2,000,000 people since its inception in 1983. We have given the powerful experience of viewing or participating in a Shakespeare production to people throughout the Bay Area and State of California. In particular, we have successfully given performances to hundreds of schools in areas that have little to no arts access, brought people from all walks of life together in our Free Shakespeare audiences, taught hundreds of urban youth Shakespeare’s language and theater, provided thousands of scholarships to low-income summer campers, and employed thousands of Bay Area artists.
Target demographics: low-income children and families, at-risk youth, underserved schools, everyone
Direct beneficiaries per year: 100,000
Geographic areas served: San Francisco Bay Area, State of California
Programs: Free shakespeare in the park - professional productions of shakespeare's works presented at no cost in neighborhood parks. The program served over 30,000 individuals through 29 performances in san francisco, cupertino and pleasanton.
bay area shakespeare camps - a program that provides bay area youth the opportunity to study and perform shakespeare in a fun, supportive environment serving. The program served over 700 children in 28 two-week summer sessions at community centers, schools and religious institutions throughout the bay area. Full and partial scholarships are offered for eligible campers.
shakespeare for all expands the direct involvement of the citizenry in the preforming arts. Currently, taking place in californias central valley, this program works with local communities to create a community-specific performance of a shakespeare play in which local residents use their skills to participate alongside professional actors