California Shakespeare Theater Will Close its Doors

California Shakespeare Theater, widely known as Cal Shakes, has announced that it will be closing its doors after 50 years of bringing Shakespeare and other classic works to the San Francisco Bay Area. This news marks a significant loss for both the local and national theater communities, as Cal Shakes has long been a staple of accessible outdoor performances.

In a statement posted on the theater’s website, Executive Director Clive Worsley expressed his deep sadness over the decision: “I write today with the heaviest of hearts to let you know that our beloved institution, Cal Shakes, has hit an insurmountable financial impasse and are faced with no alternative but to suspend operations, begin layoffs, and take steps towards what will be the ultimate closure of the company.” Worsley went on to thank the theater’s supporters for their dedication over the years, while encouraging any questions or comments to be directed to him.

Despite numerous efforts to remain afloat, including a fundraising campaign aimed at raising $350,000 for the recent September production of As You Like It, and a generous $100,000 donation from actress Zendaya earlier in the year, the company could not sustain its operations. The theater’s budget, once near $4.7 million, was scaled back to a more modest $2.5 million as they fought to survive.

The announcement marks the end of an era for the Bay Area’s theater scene, which has already witnessed several other closures in recent months, including Cutting Ball Theater, PianoFight, Bay Area Children’s Theatre, TheatreFirst, and Exit Theatre. 

The loss of Cal Shakes, a cornerstone of regional theater and a major player on the national stage, is particularly profound. Lily Janiak, a critic for the San Francisco Chronicle, called it the most substantial theater to close in the region since the end of the pandemic lockdowns.

Founded in 1974 as the Emeryville Shakespeare Company, Cal Shakes was initially based in the East Bay and offered free performances of Shakespeare’s works. In 2003, it adopted the name California Shakespeare Theater and expanded its programming to include a wider range of classic and contemporary plays. Over the years, it gained a reputation not only for its high-quality productions but also for its commitment to accessibility, often providing low-cost or free tickets to underserved communities.

The company’s home, the Lt. G. H. Bruns III Memorial Amphitheater in Orinda, provided a picturesque setting for its outdoor performances, drawing audiences from across the region. The theater’s administrative offices, rehearsal hall, and production facilities were located in nearby Berkeley, where sets for other regional theaters like Berkeley Playhouse, Shotgun Players, and American Conservatory Theater were also built.

In recent years, Cal Shakes faced significant challenges. The theater suspended in-house productions in 2023 to explore new ways of generating revenue and maintaining relevance in a changing arts landscape. Under Worsley’s leadership, the theater launched the Shared Light Initiative, which opened the Bruns Memorial Amphitheater to other performing arts groups for little or no cost, hoping to create a multidisciplinary venue while continuing to produce its own shows.

Despite these efforts, the financial challenges proved too great. The theater’s final production, As You Like It, directed by Elizabeth Carter, concluded its run on September 29, 2024. It remains uncertain what will happen to the theater’s scene shop, which has played a vital role in supporting other local companies by building sets for their productions.