Santa Cruz Shakespeare + Santa Cruz Gives = Bringing Shakespeare to Every Student

This year, Santa Cruz Shakespeare is honored to once again be part of Santa Cruz Gives, our community’s remarkable grassroots campaign supporting the nonprofits that make this county such a vibrant place to live.

Our 2026 Big Idea is one close to our hearts:

Transporting Theatre: Bringing Shakespeare and Students Together

Thanks to the generosity of supporters like you, SCS now brings live, professional touring productions—including A Midsummer Night’s Dream and our bilingual Romeo and Juliet —directly into classrooms across Santa Cruz County and the entire Bay Area.

We eliminate every barrier of cost and access so that every student can experience the power of world-class theatre.

Last year, we reached 8,000 students. With your help, we can double that number!

For many children, an SCS school show is the first live theatre experience of their lives. They stay for post-show discussions, receive curriculum-aligned teacher packets, and discover the joy, empathy, and imagination that Shakespeare still sparks today.

Just $300 brings a subsidized performance to another Santa Cruz county school.
All donations through Santa Cruz Gives support this life-changing program.
Gifts of any size help us say “yes” to more students, teachers, and families.

As one middle school teacher shared:

“Students were engaged the entire performance. Your actors are phenomenal! Our entire 6th grade is reading A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
— Alexie Neall, Scott County Middle School

Join the giving revolution. Join the magic of live theatre. Help us build a braver, kinder, more connected world—one student at a time.
Donate today: santacruzgives.org/nonprofit/santacruzshakespeare

(And while you’re there, explore the incredible 72 local nonprofits lifting up our community.)