Santa Cruz Shakespeare is passionately dedicated to educating our community about Shakespeare and the art of theatre. To that end, we offer a variety of programs for learners of all ages, from touring productions and in-school workshops to adult progams like our Book Clubs and Weekend with Shakespeare. For more info, read on, or contact our Education Director, Rebecca Clark, at education@santacruzshakespeare.org.
Classes
Check out our after-school offerings for pre-teen and teen students! From classes in acting and playwriting to week-long explorations of Shakespeare and storytelling in our own traditions, we have something for almost every taste! Classes are offered in both Santa Cruz (north county) and Watsonville (south county), and financial aid is available for those who qualify. Click below for more details!
Touring Performances
Teachers! Librarians! Activity Directors! If you can't bring your students to one of our perfomances at the Grove, don't worry -- we can come directly to you! Our under-an-hour touring adaptations will fit perfectly into your schedule, and we can perform them in virtually any space - from a classroom or library to an auditorium or gymnasium! These intimate performances include a study guide, a well as a Q&A with students after the performance. We'll work to fit your budget, including discounts for multiple performances (for multiple classes or grade levels). Click below for more details about our current tour!
Shakespeare and Social Justice
We humanize Shakespeare in the classroom with our in-school programs that bring a contemporary lens to the Bard's plays and ask students to wrestle with the racism, sexism, and other problematic issues inherent in his texts.
Apprenticeships
Santa Cruz Shakespeare offers a highly coveted summer apprenticeship program for college students. Apprentices in a variety of disciplines have the opportunity to work with nationally-renowned artists and production crews, get hands-on experience working in classical outdoor repertory theatre, and enjoy the summer in sunny Santa Cruz, CA!
Educator Resources
From lessons plans to in-school visits, we offer a variety of tools to teachers designed to inspire and invigorate students as they learn about Shakespeare and his plays.
Student Matinee Program
One of our goals at Santa Cruz Shakespeare is to ensure that every high school student in Santa Cruz County has seen a live, professional production of one of Shakespeare’s plays by the time they graduate.
Weekend With Shakespeare
Dive into this season's Shakespeare productions with a special weekend of lectures, discussions and hands-on activities. In partnership with UCSC's Shakespeare Workshop and The Humanities Institute, this is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about each play during the day before seeing the performance the same evening.
This year's Weekend With Shakespeare will be on August 16th and 17th and will inlcude A Midsummer Night's Dream and Pericles. Admission is free, but seating is limited, so sign up early!
Saturday, 8/16 — Pericles
- Detailed Schedule Coming Soon!
Sunday, 8/17 — A Midsummer Night's Dream
- Detailed Schedule Coming Soon!
