Santa Cruz Shakespeare
Globally-recognized, award-winning professional theatre productions in beautiful Santa Cruz, California.
LORDS, LADIES, AND FOOLS: A COURTLY CELEBRATION
Join us for cocktails to commence, a seated feast to follow, theatrical revels, spirited auctions, and dancing into the night — all in support of Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s 2026 Season and its continuing community impact.
2026 PRODUCTIONS
THE INAUGURAL SPRING PRODUCTION
Vincent, the acclaimed one-person play, starring SCS Artistic Director Charles Pasternak
Location: Veterans Memorial Building
Dates: April 24 through May 10, 2026
'TIL DEATH DO US PART
THE FESTIVAL SEASON
The annual Santa Cruz Shakespeare Festival
with five productions on stage in repertory
Location: The Grove @ DeLaveaga Park
Dates: July 11 through October 4, 2026
A SANTA CRUZ HOLIDAY TRADITION RETURNS
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens returns with new music and holiday warmth
Location: Veterans Memorial Building
Dates: December 3 through December 24, 2026
Our Festival home — The Beautiful Audrey Stanley Grove @ DeLaveaga Park
The Santa Cruz Shakespeare Theatre in the Audrey Stanley Grove at DeLaveaga Park in Santa Cruz is a 490+ seat outdoor amphitheater. For matinee performances, a large shade is deployed, protecting a majority of the seating. Evening performances are held under the gorgeous skies of Santa Cruz, California. Be prepared for warm days and cool nights. Arrive early to enjoy our picnic area overlooking the town all the way down to the shore, or sit in the beer garden with delicious treats from Line 38, Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s food and drink experience, offering an elevated menu using fresh local ingredients.
The theatre at the Audrey Stanley Grove opens 2 hours before evening performances and 1 hour before matinees.
Santa Cruz Shakespeare is passionately dedicated to educating our community about Shakespeare and the art of theatre. We offer a variety of programs for learners of all ages, plus Shakes on the Move touring productions that travel throughout the Bay Area, bringing professional theatre to schools, community centers, elder care facilities, and more.
The 2026 Book Clubs
Not your traditional book club!
We are reading Macbeth in March over a three week span, assigning parts and engaging in discussions!
Shakes on the Move
The Spring 2026 touring program includes The Tempest, and a bilingual adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. Bring SCS to your school!
Student Matinees
Teachers! Bring your students to the SCS theater!
SMATs are available for Vincent, Fences, and Much Ado About Nothing.
Sonnet Competition
Learn the art of the sonnet!
April 22nd, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Veterans Memorial Building in Downtown Santa Cruz
Spring Break Camp
Five exciting days of theatre games, character work, and scene study.
April 6 - April 10, 2026
M-F 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Summer Camp I
Courageous Creatives
June 22-26 — performance: June 27
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
with optional extended care
Summer Camp II
Much Ado About Nothing
July 6-10 — performance: July 11
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
with optional extended care
Summer Camp III
Greek Classics
July 13-17 — performance: July 19
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
with optional extended care
DINING AT THE GROVE
Line 38 is Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s food and drink experience at the Grove, offering an elevated menu using fresh local ingredients for you and your guests. Come enjoy a variety of tasty bites and classic favorites. Sip on your favorite glass of local wine or a refreshing specialty cocktail.
Line 38 opens 2 hours before evening performances and 1 hour before matinees. Online ordering is not currently available, but everything is made to order quickly, so just come to our kitchen window in the beer garden!