If you’re still doing your holiday shopping, consider unique holiday gifts that also support our local arts community! The pandemic has wrought disruption across our industry, but artists are nothing if not resilient. During this extended pause, Cal Shakes’ community of artists each have found other ways to support their work—and you can support them too. From workout classes to performances to handmade jewelry and masks—we’ve got you covered this season. Explore this growing list of gifts for the whole family (including your dog) from the multi-talented members of the Cal Shakes community!
Classes and Coaching
Stage Combat: Resident Fight Director, Dave Maier, is offering socially distanced Stage Combat Technique classes, outdoors at the Berkeley Marina! Please email davemaierfightdirector@gmail.com for more information or to enroll!
Private Coaching: Actor and Director Nancy Carlin (An Ideal Husband) is offering private audition and dialect coaching sessions as well as script consultations for writers and performers! Please view her website for more information. You can email Nancy directly at nancycarlin27@gmail.com. Coaching gift certificates make great stocking stuffers this holiday season!
Personal Training: Actor Jomar Tagtac (Macbeth) offers a 45-minute workout class for a group of people and 1-on-1 personal training sessions. If you’d be interested in purchasing either as a gift for the holiday season, please email info@calshakes.org and we can put you in touch with Jomar!
Creative Consulting: Dream up the next steps in your creative project or career! Sign up for a FREE consultation at: www.minkahng.com/coaching. Offered by Min Khang, a musician and the composer for the music in the 2019 production of The Good Person of Szechwan!
Workshops and Consulting for BIMPOC artists: Actor Francesca Fernandez McKenzie (The Good Person of Szechwan) is a member of Encompass Collective: an ensemble of teaching artists trained at Yale School of Drama offering virtual Actor Training for BIMPOC artists at pay what you can rates.
Entertainment
Dog Edutainment: You can check out actor Diane Wasnak’s Dog edutainment services at www.bonzerproductions.com. In addition to what is on the website, Diane is very close to launching a Holiday season audio story for children ages 3-7!
Anti-Isolation Arts Factory: Actor Dean Linnard (A Midsummer Night’s Dream) is launching a new monthly theater video service called the Anti-Isolation Arts Factory. They are sending out monthly bundles of original, adventurous creative content on the 1st day of every month in 2021. You can give someone the gift of a wonderful community of artists and audience members for the holidays!
Artist-Made Gifts
Jewelry: Actor and director Shannon R. Davis and actor Steven Flores make Native Jewelry! Check out their Etsy page to purchase someone a beautiful piece of handmade Native Jewelry!
Masks: If you would like to purchase a beautiful hand-sewn Pincushion or Mask, please email Tasa Gleason (tasagleason@gmail.com). Tasa has worked in Cal Shakes’ Costume Shop for many years and is happy to be able to make something special for your loved ones for the holidays!
Vintage Dishes: Cal Shakes’ Properties Artisan, Kate Fitt, scours stores for Unique and Vintage dishes for Modern Households. You can check out these items and select your favorites for your loved ones from Kate’s Etsy page.
Custom Designed Wedding Gifts: Cal Shakes’ Properties Master, Kirsten Royston, customizes a bunch of exciting options on Etsy! Check out the pixel portraits and more on Kirsten’s Etsy!
Frames: Actor Stacy Ross (War of the Roses) hand frames artwork and photography, if you have a piece you’d like framed by Stacy, please email kirlyhedsar@gmail.com. You can check out Stacy’s work on Instagram @StacyRoss.
Self-care: Actor and teaching artist, Kehinde Koyejo is the owner and creator of Kalm Korner. If you’re looking to buy all-natural products for improving both skin appearance and mental and emotional health through the power of aromatherapy. “When you send a gift of KALM you are sending a gift of love, encouragement, appreciation, self-care, and healing. A gentle reminder that kindness and love matter.” ~Kehinde Koyejo
Weekend Away
Bed and Breakfast: Cal Shakes’ Properties Master, Kirsten Royston, left during our 2019 season to follow her dreams of opening a Bed and Breakfast. Stone Oak Manor has soft-opened as a Vacation Rental Home while they prepare to open the full Bed and Breakfast later in 2021. Please check out this gorgeous getaway in Oak Glen, CA!
