Cal Shakes

California Shakespeare Theater invites you to our upcoming workshop: Cracking Open Shakespeare: Bringing Shakespeare (and A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM) to Life in the Classroom. This opportunity includes workshop, take-home guide, plus complimentary ticket to the evening's performance of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM and pre-...show reception.

THE SCHEDULE:

4-6pm: BRINGING SHAKESPEARE TO LIFE IN THE CLASSROOM

In this hands-on workshop, teachers will learn easy-to-replicate techniques to bring Shakespeare to life in the classroom. While particular focus will be paid to A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, the techniques learned will be applicable to any Shakespeare play.

6:30-7:15pm: RECEPTION

Light refreshments will be served. You will have the opportunity to talk with members of the Cal Shakes Artistic Learning staff about our arts integration residencies, afterschool classes, and Student Discovery Matinee programs. Stick around for the dramaturg's free, pre-show Grove Talk to learn more about the background of the play.

7:30-10pm: PERFORMANCE OF A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM

For this Cal Shakes coproduction with Two River Theater Company (NJ), Two River Artistic Director Posner is creating an optimistic, highly imaginative, and joyful version of this much-loved romantic comedy, with inventive stage magic and a unique production design.

To RSVP: Please contact us at 510.809.3293 or learn@calshakes.org.

Be sure to include: Your name, the name of your school, and the grade/subject that you teach. Read More

The California Shakespeare Theater costume department has just completed a huge reorganization of its inventory, and the results are a better organized collection, and tons and tons of costumes, wigs, and accessories, to be sold to the public at thrift-store prices--for a few days only.

35 years’ worth of hats, armor, c...apes, Renaissance and Tudor, unique modern pieces—a little bit of everything! Perfect for Burning Man, Renaissance Faires, Halloween, and what-have-you.

What: Cal Shakes Costume Shop Sale
When: Thursday, August 6–Sunday, August 9, 11am–6pm
Where: Cal Shakes Rehearsal Hall, 701 Heinz Ave., West Berkeley (Just a few blocks west of San Pablo and north of Ashby)
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Yes, it's true: The first LGBT party of Cal Shakes' 2009 season happens next Friday, and you're invited!

The pre-show party in the Isaacs Family Grove features cocktails, snacks, music, decor, and more inspired by Mark Rucker's uniquely elegant production of Noël Coward’s scorchingly smart PRIVATE LIVES, and it's all fr...ee with your ticket to the performance. This whipsmart romantic comedy is what the director calls “a beautifully crafted play. In a way, it’s the quintessential situation comedy,” following the exploits of a pair of worldly, newly remarried divorcees whose love for each other remains as overwhelming as it is toxic.

Just pop into the first grove on the right between 6:30 and curtain time to join the party. The LGBT Night party—including drinks and snacks—is free with your ticket to the performance.

More info on the production: http://www.calshakes.org/v4/ourplays/private_lives.html

Buy tickets to the performance: http://www.calshakes.org/v4/tickets/Read More

Are you as interested in the process of making theater as you are in the final product? Meet the artists involved in Cal Shakes' upcoming production of PRIVATE LIVES at Inside Scoop at the Orinda Library.

Director Mark Rucker, Associate Artist Stephen Barker Turner, his leading lady Diana LaMar, and one designer TBA wi...ll discuss the creative choices behind Noël Coward's scorchingly smart romantic comedy from the vantage point of two weeks into the rehearsal process. Resident Dramaturg Philippa Kelly will moderate.

This free event will begin at 6:30pm, with the panel starting at 7pm. Complimentary Loard's Ice Cream and Peet's Coffee will be served. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Members at the Supporting Cast ($250+) level or higher may reserve up to three seats in the front members-only section by contacting Beth Sandefur at 510.548.3422 x125 or bsandefur@calshakes.org.

Pictured: Diana LaMar and Stephen Barker Turner; photo by Kevin Berne.Read More