The San Francisco Shakespeare Festival is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that began in 1983, with Free Shakespeare in the Park's debut production of The Tempest in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, California. Today we are a regional theater company and major arts-education provider.

The mission statement of the Festival is to make the words and themes of Shakespeare accessible to everyone, regardless of age, ethnicity, financial status, or level of education.

An Overview of Shakespeare Festival Programs

Free Shakespeare in the Park
Produced every year in San Francisco, Pleasanton, and Cupertino from July to October, Free Shakespeare in the Park provides an opportunity for over 30,000 people to see high quality, professional theater free of charge.

Shakespeare On Tour
Shakespeare on Tour brings a live hour-long Shakespeare performance to students statewide. In response to the decline of in-school arts programs, we created an affordable high-quality school touring program in 1988. We now present approximately 200 performances yearly to over 30,000 children.

The Bay Area Shakespeare Camps (Tax I.D. # 942867269)
Our camps provide an opportunity for young students age 4 to 18 to study Shakespeare in a fun, supportive atmosphere and teach them the necessary skills to perform his work. We also offer an Advanced Acting Workshop for those with prior experience in performance. Currently, over 28 camp sessions are scheduled to be held in multiple Bay Area communities.

Midnight Shakespeare
Midnight Shakespeare offers at-risk youth the opportunity to learn communication skills, performance skills, discipline, and team work through Shakespeare. Responding to the problems of violence and gang-related issues, this ten-week program partners the Shakespeare Festival with social service organizations like the East Bay Conservation Corps, San Jose Department of Parks and Recreation, the East Palo Alto Boys and Girls Club, and the San Francisco Park and Recreation Department to reach underserved communities throughout the Bay Area.

One page summary of the 4 Festival programs (pdf)

SF Shakes in the news

990 Forms:
2007 990 forms
2008 990 forms

SF Shakes production history

Shakespeare Festival Board of Directors

The San Francisco Shakespeare Festival staff, board and company are deeply saddened by the sudden death of board member & Chief Financial Officer Keith Taylor, who lost his life in a senseless traffic accident on Monday September 19.
Keith served as the Chief Financial Officer and board member of the Festival since 1998. He was a tireless advocate of the mission of the festival and provided endless guidance and leadership to the board. His commitment earned him respect and admiration as a board member and friend of the festival.
We are all shocked and saddened by the loss of our trusted friend and colleague. Our thoughts and condolences are with Keith’s family and friends during this difficult time. Our closing weekend performances of ‘Cymbeline’ will be played in his memory & honor.

Raymond Kutz, Chair
Eleanor Jacobs, Vice-Chair

Pamela Sogge, Secretary
Robert J. Chansler, Past Chair

James A. Babcock
Christina Caamano
Thad A. Davis
Cynthia Francis
Stephen Hamilton
Lauren-Paul Kozlenko
Linda Merriweather
Deborah Styles
Michael Li-Ming Wong

In Memoriam:
- Albert Takazauckas, Director
- Charles McCue, Producing Director
- Keith Taylor, Board Member


Shakespeare Festival Staff

The Shakespeare Festival employs over 200 educators, artists, actors, directors, designers, and technicians to execute our many programs.

Administrative
Toby Leavitt, Executive Director (email)
Rebecca Ennals, Artistic Director of Education Programs(email)
Becky Kemper, Director of Training and Outreach (email)
John Western, Marketing Director (email)
Daniel Holloway, Development and Marketing Associate (email)
Carol Fehr, Accountant (email)

Artistic
Kenneth Kelleher, Resident Director (email)
Steve Mannshardt, Technical Director / Resident Designer

Jobs and Auditions

If you would like to work with us, please see the Jobs and Auditions section.