Cal Shakes Online
Furthering artistic practice and deepening community connections online.
A Gathering Space for the Bay Area and Beyond
Cal Shakes Online is a multi-channel digital platform designed to virtually unite artists and audiences during this unprecedented time. Though we cannot convene in person, we at Cal Shakes want to continue serving our community from afar by offering resources and programming to bring solace, entertainment, and joy. If you’d like to learn more about or 2021 Season: Read more here.
El Henry
Cal Shakes and Remote Studios present a virtual reading of El Henry, a Chicano adaptation of Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Part One by Herbert Siguenza (co-founder of Culture Clash). The Bay Area premiere will be directed by Dena Martinez and be produced with Actors Reading Collective. Join us July 24 and July 31 at 2 pm PST.
Direct Address
Direct Address is a live series of panel discussions, interviews, and webinars offering industry and community support as well as behind-the-scenes insight. In 2020 we began a series on Allyship and Anti-Racism and Resisting Shakespeare and in 2021 we launched Cal Shakes’ Chronicle. Check out our recent conversations on YouTube.
Direct Address
Direct Address is a live series of panel discussions, interviews, and webinars offering industry and community support as well as behind-the-scenes insight. In June we began a series on Allyship and Anti-Racism and in September began Resisting Shakespeare. Check out our recent conversations on YouTube.
Shakespeare In-Depth
Consider how Shakespeare’s masterpieces invite us to explore ambition, justice, betrayal, greed, loneliness, and abandonment, as well as issues that are urgently relevant today: climate change, global poverty, the political and personal effects of power, the capacity of life itself to offer miracles and second chances.
Join Us
Cal Shakes Online Events
More for Our Friends at Home
Run The Canon
Cal Shakes Resident Dramaturg Philippa Kelly is “running the canon” offering a 10-minute video lecture on all of Shakespeare’s 37 plays. Subscribe to our YouTube channel and never miss a lecture.
WHAT WE’RE WATCHING THIS WEEK
The amount of streaming theater available online is endless. Check out what we watched in 2020 and find a list of what else is playing around the globe and where to find your next play.
#ShelterHereabouts
Inspired by Trinculo’s line from The Tempest, #ShelterHereabouts are a series of “micro-commissioned” monologues performed by Bay Area actors.
RESOURCES FOR ARTISTS AND TECHNICIANS
A curated list by members of the Cal Shakes Artistic team to support arts workers affected by the health crisis. The list includes grant and financial aid opportunities, unemployment resources, guides for virtual tools, and more.
Mystery Shakespeare Theater 1592
Inspired by Mystery Science Theater 3000, Mystery Shakespeare Theater 1592 is a live watch party of a filmed version of one of Shakespeare’s plays on Zoom! Sign up for a mystery film that won’t be revealed until the event begins and join in as four panelists provide hilarious and insightful commentary throughout the screening creating a fun evening at home but not alone. Called the “best Zoom party ever” by Theatrius. Stay tuned for our next watch party!
INTERACTIVE STUDY GUIDES
To support students, teachers, and parents during school closures, Cal Shakes is offering access to all its study guides. Dive into Macbeth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, black odyssey, and many more!