Our Mantra
Innovate • Illuminate • Inspire
Our Vision
Silicon Valley Shakespeare invigorates the classics through innovative, relevant theatrical experiences that illuminate and inspire modern audiences.
Our Mission
Innovate: Breathe new life into classic works through unique, vibrant, and compelling interpretations, to keep theatre relevant for modern audiences.
Illuminate: Shed new light on the classics to open eyes, expand minds, and foster a love of theatre in our fast-paced, high-tech community. We provide high-quality, affordable theatrical experiences, and educational programs to reach a diverse audience and build a new generation of theatregoers.
Inspire: Create art that touches people personally, reflects the world in which we live, and inspires people to play a role in the arts community as an artist, audience members, donors, or volunteers.
Our Core Programs
Free Shakespeare in the Park
Produce one Shakespeare play, free to the public, at Willow Street Park in San José each spring (11 performances).
Summer Repertory
Produce two affordably ticketed Shakespeare, classics, or classics-inspired plays in Sanborn Park in Saratoga each summer (22 performances).
Winter Show
A classic play in the South Bay each holiday season.
Education
Provide a summer Shakespeare Camp for kids, workshops, assemblies, and after-school programs to over 2,000 students in local schools, and an immersive internship program for local high school and college students to develop professional skills.
48-Hour Play Festival
An annual event of locally-developed new works, in partnership with a local college or university.
Silicon Valley Shakespeare is supported by many wonderful volunteers who do everything from set and costume production to fundraising, concession sales, and much more.
Our Casting Philosophy
It is our responsibility as arts leaders in our community to provide a safe, creative space for seasoned professionals to practice their art and for emerging artists to grow in their craft. For every community member to fully experience the beauty of each story, the people telling the story must reflect our community. That is why SVS makes the conscious choice to ensure the following casting commitments throughout each season.
At least 50% of our casting for each season represents our BIPOC community.
At least 50% of our casting for a season represents underrepresented genders, and every other season, one show is entirely dedicated to 100% casting of systemically minoritized groups.
A wide spectrum of physical and personal identities is represented, including age and body type.
Every summer, SVS holds space for acting trainees who, in addition to being cast in a mainstage show, receive mentoring in the form of monologue coaching, resume review, and complimentary professional headshots (taken by SVS photography artists!) to set them up for future success. Emerging young artists gaining experience from the wisdom of seasoned professionals and more mature artists being invigorated by the passion and drive of artists at the early stages of their careers is truly a thing of beauty.
At SVS, we recognize that cultivating the next generation of artists and gaining insight from their fresh perspective is important and crucial to the future success of the arts.
The stories we tell are for everyone, and it is our responsibility as artists to reflect that on our stage and in the artistic team behind the scenes. We hope that if we were to turn a mirror to our beloved audience, we would see the same thing… a beautiful tapestry of our community, each bringing their unique perspective and heart to the beautiful experience of live theatre.
Our audience ranges from long-time theatre lovers to families with young children experiencing theatre for the first time. We hope you join the SVS family by volunteering, donating, or simply enjoying a show.