Silicon Valley Shakespeare

ShakesPod is now available on all major podcast platforms! To celebrate our premiere, we're releasing a very special interview with Bay Area theatre veteran Aldo Billingslea and hosted by SVS Managing Director Annalisa Tkacheff. We chatted with Aldo about his work with The Black Theatre Fund, which supports the development and production of Black Theatre across the United States. Learn more about the fund and donate at www.gofundme.com/f/fund-for-black-theatre-in-the-us... This fundraiser closes at the end of this month - donate now! Listen to our first two episodes: https://anchor.fm/svshakes

New podcast alert This Saturday, we’re thrilled to release our very first episode of ShakesPod, our brand new podcast, on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all other major podcast platforms! Our premiere episode, Bard Talk: History of Macbeth, dives into the horrific hidden history of Macbeth with SVS dramaturg Doll Piccotto and features special performances by 2019’s Macbeth Theatre Bay Area Award Finalist Witches (Drew B. Jones, Sarah Thermond, and Sara Razavi) and Porter (K...eenan Flagg). You won't want to miss this!

We all want to return to in-person performances as soon as we can. For whatever amount of 2021 we’re online instead, we want to hear from YOU about what you’d like to see. We've created a short survey so our virtual offerings can be virtually everything you hope for. Whether you attended any of SVS online in 2020 or not, are local to the Bay Area or not, your thoughts are a significant voice in our planning. After all, we’re doing it all for you! This survey takes just a few ...minutes, and is available through Sunday, October 25th. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PXRPPF6

Become a part of our newest project! We're currently accepting monologue submissions to be included in an upcoming episode of our brand new podcast. A look at the history of women in theatre, this special episode will feature actors of marginalized genders, including women, non-binary folx, and trans actors performing traditionally male Shakespearean monologues. So, actors... pick out that male character that you've always wanted to play and hit the record button! To submit...: Please email the following to Artistic Director Angie Higgins at [email protected] by Oct. 13th *Headshot/Resume *Audio file of monologue- 3 minutes or less (please slate name and selected piece). Please note that by submitting this performance, you agree for the recording to be used in the podcast episode if selected. Actors will be notified by Oct. 15th of monologue acceptance. Participation in the show is voluntary. For more information on Silicon Valley Shakespeare visit: www.svshakespeare.org

Like the rest of the nation, we were deeply saddened to hear of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s passing last week. The Notorious RBG holds a special place in our hearts as both a devotee of justice and a lover of theatre. She even appeared in two Shakespearean plays, "Henry VI, Part 2" and "The Merchant of Venice"- all while working her day job at the Supreme Court. So, in honor of Justice Bader Ginsburg's fighting spirit, we’re bringing back our Though she be ...but little, she is fierce tee for a limited time and donating 10% of the proceeds to one of RBG’s favorite charities, the Malala Fund. Founded by Nobel Prize-winner Malala Yousafzai, the Malala Fund advocates for girls’ stable access to free, safe, and quality schooling around the world. Honor the memory of RBG, support global girls’ education, and wear a reminder of your own fierceness with this Shakespearean tee! https://www.svshakespeare.org/little-fierce/

We're wrapping up National Arts in Education Week with a spotlight on what makes it all worth it: the students. From our summer camps to in-school workshops, our students amaze us with their talent, intelligence, and compassion. Want to give the gift of arts education? Your donation to SVS helps us provide summer camp scholarships, as well as offer free admission for all youths (17 and under).

National Arts in Education Week continues! Today, we're spotlighting artist-educator Erin Southard (last seen on our stage as Hermia in 2019's A Midsummer Night's Dream and Balthasar/Watch in 2018's Much Ado About Nothing). Want to give the gift of arts education? Your donation to SVS helps us provide summer camp scholarships, as well as offer free admission for all youths (17 and under).

We're halfway through National Arts in Education Week and spotlighting SVS Education Director Melissa Jones (last seen on our stage as White Snake in 2019's The White Snake and Ellen-a-Dale in 2018's The Hood of Sherwood). Want to give the gift of arts education? Your donation to SVS helps us provide summer camp scholarships, as well as offer free admission for all youths (17 and under).

We're continuing our celebration of National Arts in Education Week with a spotlight on artist-educator Sarah Thermond (last seen on the SVS stage as First Witch in 2019's Macbeth and Rosalind in 2018's As You Like It). Want to give the gift of arts education? Your donation to SVS helps us provide summer camp scholarships, as well as offer free admission for all youths (17 and under).

Happy National Arts in Education Week to all of the teachers who continue to spark a love of the arts in their students, especially in this difficult new environment. This week, we're spotlighting a few of our fabulous artist-educators, starting with Marjorie Hazeltine (last seen on the SVS stage as Lady Macbeth in 2019's Macbeth). Want to give the gift of arts education? Your donation to SVS helps us provide summer camp scholarships, as well as offer free admission for all youths (17 and under).

This year hasn't been easy for SVS. But one thing we know is how lucky we are. Lucky to have our community and lucky Sanborn is still standing amidst the wildfires. So, we’re going to give back. Now through 9/18, a portion of all donations made directly to SVS (through our website, Facebook, PayPal, or check) will go to the Santa Cruz Fire Response Fund, as recommended by the City of Santa Cruz. There's just one week left in this fundraiser. Please consider donating what you can. No amount is too much or too little.

Run away with us to the circus! Join us on our page tomorrow night at 7pm PT for our inaugural all-female production: 2015’s The Comedy of Errors. With a circus theme and four Theatre Bay Area Awards finalists, you won't want to miss this hilarious Watch Party. ... *A portion of all donations made to SVS during this broadcast will go to the Santa Cruz Fire Response Fund.* CAST Antipholus of Syracuse ... Valerie Castro-Singer Antipholus of Ephesus ... Tina Rutsch Dromio of Syracuse ... Melissa Jones Dromio of Ephesus u/s ... Evelyn Huynh Dromio of Ephesus ... Lucinda Dobinson Adriana ... Doll Piccotto Luciana ... Morgan Voellger Egeon/Dr. Pinch ... Karen Melander-Magoon Duke/Luce ... Dana Morgan Angelo ... Ambera De Lash Courtesan ... Sara Luna Emelia/Nell ... Sharon Freeman First Merchant/Officer ... Ally McGreevy Second Merchant ... Alyssa Esquilin Balthasar ... Amanda Camillo Jailer/Servant ... Sabrina Sonner CREATIVE TEAM Director ... Angie Higgins Asst. Director ... Tom Shamrell Stage Manager ... Caitlyn Nichols ASM ... Christina Sturken Production Manager ... Lisa De Leeuw Technical Director ... Kevin Reardon Original Production Sound Designer ... Adam Weinstein Video Sound Designer...Christian Pizzirani Lighting Designer ... Bob Smay Master Electrician ... Jarku Virtanen Scenic Designer ... Mike Price Costume Designer ... Lisa Claybaugh Properties Designer ... Scott Ludwig Hair & Make-up Designer ... Melissa Jones Dance Choreographer ... Sonya Duffin Sound Board Op ... Patrick Tisdale Makeup/Hair Intern/Crew ... Kiera Robinson Directing Intern ... Megan Mayekawa Dramaturg ... Doll Piccotto

Today would have kicked off our closing weekend for our 2020 Season. We miss the redwoods, Shakespeare under the stars, and joining together with you, our wonderful community. Unfortunately, with the postponement of our entire season and income-generating events, it’s going to be harder than ever for us to get back on stage next year. If you can, please donate now, in any amount, so that we can return to our summers at Sanborn Park