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. This event is free, but seating is limited! Click below to reserve your space.

Please also let us know your interest for a virtual event for Fences on Friday, August 7.

AGENDA

Saturday, August 8 — Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare

• 11:00 a.m. – Welcome (Sean Keilen, UCSC)
• 11:15 a.m. – Actor Panel (Charles Pasternak and members of the company, SCS)
• 12:15 p.m. – Boxed lunch (courtesy of Shakespeare Workshop)
• 1:00 p.m. – Visiting Scholar (Eli Simon, UC Irvine)
• 2:00 p.m. – End of program
• 8:00 p.m. – Be sure to pre-purchase tickets to the SCS performance of Much Ado About Nothing at the Audrey Stanley Grove in DeLaveaga Park

Sunday, August 9 — Macbeth by William Shakespeare

• 11:00 a.m. – Welcome (Sean Keilen, UCSC)
• 11:15 a.m. – Actor Panel (Charles Pasternak and members of the company, SCS)
• 12:15 p.m. – Boxed lunch (courtesy of Shakespeare Workshop)
• 1:00 p.m. – Visiting Scholar (Eli Simon, UC Irvine)
• 2:00 p.m. – End of program
• 8:00 p.m. – Be sure to pre-purchase tickets to the SCS performance of Macbeth at the Audrey Stanley Grove in DeLaveaga Park