August 5th, 2011 — 1:55pm
A loyal Cal Shakes supporter recently came to us with a challenge: She told us that if we can attract 250 new donors this season, she will donate an additional $10,000 to Cal Shakes!
Why would a longtime donor issue such a challenge?
Here’s why: Cal Shakes continuously breaks new theatrical ground, with acclaimed productions such as our recent first-ever staging of Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus and the world premiere of The Verona Project; and we make these innovative productions accessible to thousands of young theatergoers through a huge variety of free and/or low-cost programs.
Our supporter—the person who believes in Cal Shakes so much she’s offering this $10,000 challenge—knows that we’re simultaneously serving disadvantaged communities and creating new generations of theatergoers. She also knows that in order to continue to open our doors to everyone, we need the help of new donors like you.
Will you help us meet this inspiring challenge?
Gifts of all sizes matter. Whether you give $25 or $250, your gift will make a difference, and your engagement will count toward our goal of attracting 250 new donors.
So do it for the first time: Become a Cal Shakes donor by October 31, and help make great theater accessible to all.
DONATE NOW.
Pictured: The cast of The Verona Project; photo by Kevin Berne.
Comment » | 2011 Season, Artistic Learning, The Verona Project, Weekly News
January 5th, 2011 — 12:51pm
California Shakespeare Theater announced today that it has received a $20,000 grant from Bank of America Charitable Foundation to support the Theater’s Artistic Learning efforts in bringing arts education into underserved schools through a comprehensive program of classroom residencies and student matinee performances at the Bruns Amphitheater.
“We are extremely grateful to Bank of America Foundation for providing this much-needed support for our Artistic Learning program,” commented Managing Director Susie Falk. “Arts education has been almost entirely eliminated from state budgets, but thanks to institutions like Bank of America, Cal Shakes is able to go into schools throughout the Bay Area and begin to fill some of the gaps in arts-based learning.”
Cal Shakes’ in-school residencies partner classroom teachers with teaching artists to more deeply engage students in core curriculum subjects such as English and History, using arts-based approaches that support state-mandated curriculum and teacher professional development. The Student Discovery Matinee Series offers an opportunity for students to experience one of Cal Shakes’ Main Stage productions in a contextualized experience designed for young audiences. The program includes an informative Teacher’s Guide, a lively pre-performance interactive engagement at the Theater, and a post-show question-and answer-session with the actors. In 2010, Cal Shakes served 1,038 low-income students in 40 classrooms throughout the Bay Area through its in-school residencies, while 1,702 low-income students attended student matinees of the world-premiere production of John Steinbeck’s The Pastures of Heaven or the critically-acclaimed Much Ado About Nothing.
Bank of America and its associates invest resources and volunteer time to the communities in which they live and work. Each year, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation invests $200 million in communities across its global footprint to help set opportunity in motion for diverse individuals and families. By partnering with local community leaders, Bank of America identifies priorities in each market it serves and determines how its charitable investments can have the greatest and most positive impact in those neighborhoods.
Click here to read more about Cal Shakes’ Artistic Learning programs.
Comment » | Artistic Learning, Weekly News
