Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s hit 2025 season continues with special September-only offerings. Don’t miss out on performances of the fall production “Master Harold”… and the boys by Athol Fugard and the final Monday Night Revel–new this year– featuring Surf City All-Stars playing the music of the Beach Boys on September 22.
And that’s not all! ShakesEDU, SCS’s education program, will host a range of lively fall classes, including the combination of hip hop and Shakespeare, poetry, a fall theatre camp and offerings specifically for teachers. There’s something for everyone and enrollment is open now. Read on more for information!
Fall Production: “Master Harold”…and the boys
Don’t miss Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s fall production of “Master Harold”… and the boys by Athol Fugard.
Following the epic sweep of its 2025 summer productions with the theme “No One is Alone”, SCS’s fall production of “Master Harold” snaps us into the deeply intimate and intense apartheid era of South Africa. The production stars Corey Jones as Sam, Nick Rossi as Haley and Elliot Sagay as Willy.
Directed by Rebecca Haley Clark, the production will run Sep. 4 through 20 under the trees and stars in the Audrey Stanley Grove at Santa Cruz’s DeLaveaga Park. Tickets prices range from $20 to $75 and are available at santacruzshakespeare.org. The seasonal box office is open for phone orders Tuesday through Friday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 831-460-6399 and two hours prior to every performance.
About the production: Young Hally, who is white, spends the afternoon after school in his family’s tea shop with two of the family’s servants, Sam and Willy, who are black. Over the course of 90 minutes, we bear witness to the shifting relationship between all of them: a relationship built both on love and respect, as well as one built on bigotry and institutionalized racism. Fugard’s autobiographical masterpiece is both joyous and brutal, with an ending that will leave you both stunned and inspired. It brings home the season theme “No One is Alone” with a beautiful recognition – one that would lead Fugard to becoming one of the great playwrights of the 20th century.
Monday Night Revels: Surf City All-Stars
Tickets are on sale now for the final Monday Night Revel on September 22. This follows a series of highly acclaimed performances from Rockapella, comedian Brian Kiley and a Shakespeare-inspired drag performance.
Surf City All-Stars play the music of The Beach Boys
Monday, September 22 at 7 p.m. Get your tickets!
What better place to celebrate the legacy of Surf Rock than the surfing capital of the world? The Surf City All-Stars are the only “tribute” group in which every member has played in The Beach Boys’ band. Experience an unforgettable night of music featuring all the favorite Beach Boys classics, complete with those rich harmonies that made the group famous.
ShakesEDU: Enrollment now open for Fall Classes
ShakesEDU, a program of Santa Cruz Shakespeare, offers a wide-range of theatre classes running September through November. ShakesEDU provides students of all ages with a wide variety of opportunities to learn about Shakespeare in a fun and engaging environment, including acting, writing, production and even a taste of hip-hop.
Enrollment closes once classes are full. Don’t delay! Enroll now for classes at https://santacruzshakespeare.org/classes/.
Shakeschool
Sunday, September 13
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: Veteran’s Memorial Building, Downtown Santa Cruz
A professional development workshop to equip teachers with practical tools for bringing Shakespeare’s works to life in the classroom. Continuing education credit is available through the University of the Pacific. For teachers only, cost is $225.
Bust a Rhyme
September 22-26, Monday through Friday
4:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Show: September 26 at 6 p.m.
Location: Veteran’s Memorial Building, Downtown Santa Cruz
Unlock the power of rhythm and flow—hip-hop style. Learn how to use beat, meter, and rhyme to craft bars and express yourself! From the roots of Shakespeare to the fire of Kendrick, it’s all about owning your voice. For ages 10-17, cost is $295.
Budding Bards
September 29 – October 29, Monday and Wednesdays
4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Show: October 29 at 6 p.m.
Location: Veteran’s Memorial Building, Downtown Santa Cruz
Calling all young poets and storytellers! Sharpen your writing skills and bring your creative vision to life in verse, monologues, scenes, or a short story. Be included in SCS’s new youth publication The Quill. For ages 10-17, cost is $395.
Fall Theatre Camp: Macbeth by William Shakespeare
September 30 – November 20
Tuesday and Thursdays, 4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. (Ages 6 – 11)
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. (Ages 11 – 17)
Show: November 20
Location: Veteran’s Memorial Building, Downtown Santa Cruz
A Scottish general driven by prophecy and ambition, Macbeth descends into murder, madness, and mayhem to seize the throne. Develop your artistic skills, from acting and movement to singing and vocal production. Build confidence and learn teamwork as you lead the charge to perform in this amazing drama. Cost is $595 for ages 6-11 and $695 for ages 11-17. Enrollment closes Sept. 15.
Shakes on the Move Returns in September!
Shakes on the Move returns on Sept. 1 with productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and a bilingual Romeo and Juliet.
The dynamic, 45-minute adaptation of Romeo and Juliet infuses Shakespeare’s original language with a multicultural twist, celebrating the beauty of diverse storytelling. By blending languages and cultural influences, this production makes Shakespeare accessible, relevant and deeply engaging for modern audiences.
For those who missed A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the Grove, this high-energy adaptation brings music, humor and heart of Shakespeare’s beloved comedy directly into schools, libraries, retirement communities and other venues.Book quickly before the tour fills up! To learn more about booking Shakes on the Move visit https://santacruzshakespeare.org/tour/ or email education@santacruzshakespeare.org.
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