California Shakespeare Theater (Cal Shakes) redefines the classical theater for the 21st Century, making works of extraordinary artistry that engage with our contemporary moment so we might learn about ourselves and each other in the fullness of our world.
There are three pillars of our work:
MAKE:
We create art that represents the best of what we can do, and the making of it makes us better. Cal Shakes creates exemplary productions of works both old and new interpreted in vital and urgent ways. We do this with a commitment to bold theatricality, innovative interpretation, thoughtful excavation, to expanding cultural ownership of classic stories, and to being our best selves as artists, stewards, and members of our community.
LEARN:
We nurture a culture of learning where we are both teacher and student. Cal Shakes seeks to both teach and learn through our art—not simply about the theater but about our world. We transform young minds through the practice of theater, we listen to and amplify seldom heard voices, we confront our own insecurities and ignorance with an openness to new ideas.
ENGAGE:
We forge community by dismantling barriers to participation. Acknowledging that the theater is a rare public forum, we pursue a robust culture of participation that values above all authentic discourse around the work we make. We endeavor to hold space for all points of view because it provides a deeper, richer, more nuanced and human experience of the world.
