ADULT EDUCATION
Santa Cruz Shakespeare book clubs are not like traditional book clubs, but rather a behind-the-scenes look at the table work process our professional artists go through in the rehearsal room.
For 2026 we will be reading and discussing Much Ado About Nothing in February, and Macbeth in April. Sessions are held via Zoom.
Undiscovered Shakespeare
Undiscovered Shakespeare is a public arts and humanities series co-produced by Santa Cruz Shakespeare, UCSC Shakespeare Workshop, and The Humanities Institute at UCSC. It brings professional actors and scholars together with the public for a staged reading and discussion of works by Shakespeare that are rarely produced.
The 2026 Undiscovered Shakespeare program will explore The Two Noble Kinsmen. This virtual event will meet at the following times via Zoom:
- Mar 4, 2026 @ 7:00 PM – 9:00PM PST
- Mar 11, 2026 @ 7:00 PM – 9:00PM PST
- Mar 18, 2026 @ 7:00 PM – 9:00PM PST
Weekend with Shakespeare
Weekend with Shakespeare is a partnership between Santa Cruz Shakespeare and UCSC’s Shakespeare Workshop and The Humanities Institute. Each year we present a full weekend of lectures, discussions and hands-on activities in which participants can learn more about each play during the day before seeing the performance the same evening.
The 2026 Weekend with Shakespeare will take place on August 8 and 9 and will include Much Ado about Nothing and Macbeth.
The Saturday Shakespeare Group
The Saturday Shakespeare Group holds three 5-week sessions per year. Each session focuses on an in-depth study and discussion of single play over five consecutive Saturdays. The first four weeks include lectures, presentations and group readings. Presenting speakers are often associated with UCSC or Santa Cruz Shakespeare, but some are distinguished scholars from further afield. On the fifth Saturday of each session, the group watches a recorded professional production of the play and shares potluck refreshments.
Meetings are held at the New Aptos Library, 7695 Soquel Dr, Aptos, at 10:00 a.m. on Saturdays. Meeting are simulcast via Zoom.
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) at UCSC is a community of folks from diverse educational, occupational, and geographic backgrounds who pursue new ideas, new friends, and new activities. OLLI specializes in social and educational interaction and fund scholarships to UCSC re-entry and transfer students.
OLLI at UCSC is a fantastic resource for intellectual stimulation and social interaction. Membership opens a world of intellectual fun and friendship, including access to a wide range of member-led interest groups, scholarly courses designed to expand understanding and experience, monthly speakers, and monthly newsletters.