San Francisco Shakespeare Festival
Performing ArtsCalifornia, United States11-50 Employees
San Francisco Shakespeare Festival is a performing arts organization based in San Francisco, California that presents Shakespeare in communal settings—from outdoor parks to classrooms and theaters—to engage audiences and illuminate the plays' relevance today. Its programming aims to present the plays in their best light while encouraging audiences to pursue further theatrical experiences. The organization plays a role in widening participation in the Bay Area arts scene, supporting audience development and reaching thousands who might not otherwise attend live theater; about 75,000 people are reached annually, with many encountering Shakespeare and the performing arts for the first time. The festival operates five primary programs, including Free Shakespeare in the Park as its flagship initiative, which brings professional productions to Bay Area public parks and reaches up to 30,000 people each year. Other programs—Midnight Shakespeare, Shakespeare On Tour (which reaches about 45,000 students and families across California annually), Bay Area Shakespeare Camps, and Tailor-Made Residencies—extend Shakespeare education and experience, and in 2023 Carla Pantoja was named Artistic Director.