Business Details
12 Years
experience
Experience Shakespeare Outdoors in Santa Cruz
Founded in 2014, Santa Cruz Shakespeare continues a 40-year tradition of staging bold productions of Shakespeare and other great playwrights. Our mission is to create and strengthen community by bringing audiences and artists together to celebrate stories about our collective humanity. We combine a fearless artistic approach with transparent financial responsibility, prioritizing inclusivity, curiosity, and contemporary relevance. Our repertory model allows actors to perform in multiple productions, creating dynamic rotating schedules that engage audiences throughout the season. We are committed to professional standards, hiring union and non-union artists who receive equitable compensation and benefits.Our educational programs, including student matinees, workshops, and internships, serve learners aged 6-18 and educators, fostering future theater enthusiasts. We honor the legacy of our visionary founder, Audrey Stanley, whose pioneering spirit and dedication to bridging scholarship and artistry continue to inspire our work. Located at The Audrey Stanley Grove in DeLaveaga Park, we offer immersive outdoor theater experiences with local food and beverage options. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on community support through memberships, donations, and volunteer efforts to sustain our productions and outreach initiatives.
Services
Shakespeare Productions
Educational Programs
Touring Performances
Summer Apprenticeships
Community Events
Details
- Year established: 2014
Highlights and features
- We continue a 40-year tradition of professional Shakespearean theater with rotating repertory productions.
- Our educational programs serve students and educators with workshops, lesson plans, and internships.
- We offer immersive outdoor performances at The Audrey Stanley Grove with local food and beverage options.
- Our commitment to equitable artist compensation includes union wages and industry-standard living wages.
- We honor founder Audrey Stanley's legacy of innovation in Shakespearean performance and education.
What people say
Favorite Theatre Company
Engaging performances
Educational programs
Scenic outdoor venue
Community engagement
Services
Shakespeare Productions
We produce professional outdoor Shakespearean and classical plays in rotating repertory at The Audrey Stanley Grove. Our productions combine bold artistic choices with traditional texts, creating immersive experiences for diverse audiences. Each season features multiple plays performed in repertory, allowing actors to play multiple roles across different productions.
Educational Programs
Our ShakesEDU programs provide theater education for ages 6-18, including student matinees, workshops, and internships. We offer lesson plans, in-school visits, and symposia that explore Shakespeare through contemporary social justice lenses. Programs emphasize accessibility, with free youth tickets and financial aid available for classes.
Touring Performances
We bring condensed Shakespearean productions directly to schools, libraries, and community centers. These hour-long performances include study guides and post-show Q&A sessions. Our flexible touring format adapts to various spaces while maintaining artistic quality and educational value for students.
Summer Apprenticeships
Our competitive summer program offers college students hands-on experience in classical outdoor repertory theater. Apprentices work with nationally renowned artists on production crews and in performance roles. The program combines professional development with immersive learning in Santa Cruz's unique theater environment.
Community Events
We host special events including Monday Night Revels, Fringe Series performances, and Family Days at The Grove. Our 'Weekend With Shakespeare' combines lectures, discussions, and performances. Seasonal productions like 'A Christmas Carol' create annual community traditions through theater.
People
Audrey Stanley
Founder
Visionary founder of Santa Cruz Shakespeare, first woman to direct Shakespeare at Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and UCSC professor. She established theater departments and touring companies, leaving a legacy of artistic innovation and community engagement through Shakespearean performance.
Rebecca Clark
Education Director
Manages educational programs including student matinees, workshops, and community outreach initiatives. Coordinates teacher resources and in-school visits while developing curriculum that explores Shakespeare through contemporary social justice frameworks.
Questions
Where are performances held?
Main stage performances occur at The Audrey Stanley Grove in DeLaveaga Park, Santa Cruz. Special events and educational programs take place at various community locations.
Are there educational programs for students?
Yes! We offer student matinees, in-school workshops, summer classes, and internship opportunities for ages 6-18, with free tickets and financial aid available.
Can I volunteer with the company?
Volunteer opportunities exist during summer performances and year-round operations. Visit our website for current openings in ushering, event support, and administrative assistance.
How are plays selected for each season?
Our artistic team curates a mix of Shakespeare's works and complementary classical plays that create thematic connections and showcase diverse performance styles in repertory format.
What dining options are available at performances?
Line 38 offers local food and drinks at The Grove, including pre-show dining with picnic options, specialty cocktails, and fresh local ingredients in a scenic outdoor setting.
Are memberships available?
Yes! Members receive early ticket access, discounts, reserved seating, and other perks while supporting our mission to make Shakespeare accessible to all community members.
Reviews (7)
Nalini Amore-Broccoli
Sep 27, 2021
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We saw the Agitators!! It was the best play I have ever seen in Santa Cruz! The actors were phenomenal and I really felt like I was with Frederick Douglass and Susan B Anthony! I felt like I was taken back in time And was really watching Frederick and Susan and their lives unfolding on stage!
Jack Fields
Sep 05, 2021
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Shakespeare Santa Cruz knocks it out of the park again. Their interpretation of Richard II breathes new life into the play, making it an amazing journey for us all to share. We're so lucky to have them as a part of our community!
Roger Nolan
Aug 31, 2021
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Great performances under the redwoods. What could be better? (Maybe a longer season)
Just saw RII and The Agitators this year; compelling and thought-provoking. Its just beautiful here!
Just saw RII and The Agitators this year; compelling and thought-provoking. Its just beautiful here!
Merlene Fenandez
Jul 18, 2021
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Friends and I attended our first post-pandemic Santa Cruz Shakespeare performance, Rll, last evening. We were not disappointed! The three actors, the lighting, sound, staging, costumes and staff were all first rate. A very enjoyable evenings entertainment!
Susan Friedman
Dec 01, 2019
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Beautiful Theater. Saw a wonderful production here. Food and concessions aren't the greatest though. Food and supplies tend to run low. When I bought a hot chocolate at intermission they didn't even have the whipped cream that is offered on the menu. So, if you want to have a picnic in your seats or before the show order ahead of time or bring your own food.
Chris Sterbenc
Oct 02, 2019
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These people put on a fantastic series of performances every year. The outdoor amphitheatre that they custom built for performing plays is really special and add to the ambience. Our group has been going for fifteen years, and look forward to next year already! You can bring in your own picnic food and wine and make it a party! If you have never been, I highly recommend that you go!
Linda M.
Aug 18, 2019
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Last night was our first visit to the new venue in The Grove at DeLaveaga Park. Had no idea what to expect and went with low expectations. Happily we were very pleasantly surprised. Its a small venue with mostly permanent seats, a "groundling" space for blankets, and a couple of separate "groundling" spaces for beach chairs. Concessions are available and can also be preordered.
There are a few picnic tables in the Grove and more just a short walk away on a bluff. The performance we saw of The Winter's Tale was professional and well acted. The only downside - we were in
There are a few picnic tables in the Grove and more just a short walk away on a bluff. The performance we saw of The Winter's Tale was professional and well acted. The only downside - we were in
