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Welcome to Shakespeare At Play! Our Mission is to bring the highest quality ProfessionalOur Classes
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productions of Classical Theatre to under-served communities, schools, and groups who may not otherwise have the opportunity to experience live theatreOur Scrapbook
We are also dedicated to providing non-profit organizations with free professional entertainment to enhance their fund and awareness raising events. SAP is 501 c 3 not for profit companyContact Us

 

Shakespeare at Play gets new sponsor:


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2017 - 2018: Shakespeare At Play hosts
Big Read Events based on the book
"The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien

In 2017, Shakespeare At Play received another grant from the National Endowment for the Arts' program entitled "The Big Read" to produce events based on a specific book. This time, the book is called "The Things They Carried", which is a brilliant collection of 22 short stories based on the author's experience of being a soldier in Vietnam.

On November 9th, 2017, James Schendel hosted a book discussion at the South Pasadena Public Library. Approximately 20 people attended the event, including 6 Vietnam Veterans. At one point, the discussion turned to which movies most accurately portrayed the Vietnam war, and the consensus was that the 1987 Oliver Stone movie "Platoon" was the best.

So it happened that a week later, on November 16th, the South Pasadena Public Library hosted a screening of the movie "Platoon" with 60's music by the Hollywood Rhythm Kings and a short speech by James Schendel. 25 copies of the book "The Things They Carried" were also distributed.

 

FOR THE 5TH YEAR OUT OF SEVEN, SHAKESPEARE AT PLAY IS ONE OF 77 ORGANIZATIONS NATIONWIDE TO RECEIVE AN NEA BIG READ GRANT FOR 2016 - 2017

Burbank and all of Los Angeles
County to Read and Enjoy
Dashiell Hammett’s “The Maltese Falcon.”
During the NEA Big Read

May 11, 2016—Burbank, CA—Shakespeare At Play is again a recipient of a grant of $14,000 to host the NEA Big Read in Burbank and all of Los Angeles County. A program of the National Endowment for the Arts, the NEA Big Read broadens our understanding of our world, our communities, and ourselves through the joy of sharing a good book. Shakespeare At Play is one of 77 nonprofit organizations to receive a grant to host an NEA Big Read project between September 2016 and June 2017. The NEA Big Read in Burbank and Los Angeles County will focus on “The Maltese Falcon” by Dashiell Hammett. Activities will take place throughout 2016 and 2017 beginning with the Kickoff event on September 7, 2016.

Shakespeare At Play is so honored and pleased to be joining the National Endowment of the Arts and Arts Midwest for the 5th time in seven years to enhance the lives of so many people in Southern California with The Big Read.” Stated Deborah Gates the Executive Director and creator of Shakespeare At Play. “You can be assured that we will be hosting along with our great partners the County of Los Angeles Libraries, many exciting and inspiring events throughout the year."

Jane Chu, chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, said, “I have the opportunity to travel around the country and see the way the arts can inspire, allow for reflection, and create new experiences. I look forward to the creative ways these 77 organizations will bring their communities together around a great work of literature through their participation in the NEA Big Read."

Managed by Arts Midwest, the NEA Big Read offers grants to support innovative community reading programs designed around a single book. The program supports organizations across the country in developing community-wide reading programs which encourage reading and participation by diverse audiences. Organizations selected to participate in the NEA Big Read receive a grant, access to online training resources and opportunities, and educational and promotional materials designed to support widespread community involvement.

 

 

Our October 27th Malibu Gatsby Extravaganza was a great success!! Click here for more info

small gatsby poster

On Tuesday, Sept 17th, SAP presented a free staged reading of "The Great Gatsby", a new stage adaptation by Simon Levy, at the Colony Theatre in Burbank, directed by James Schendel. It was an excellent stage adaptation and it stayed very true to the style and content of the novel. This reading was a part of our 2012 "Big Read" events.

 

 

PAST EVENTS:
romeo and juliet painting

ROMEO AND JULIET
Performed

at Burbank Library,

Sat November 12th, 2011

 

A great success!! We had over 150 people there and several people were turned away bccause of fire marshall regulations about the number of people allowed in the conference room! Congratulations to cast and Crew

 


 


Shakespeare At Play Videos

This Video is an overview of all our projects.


This video shows first a bit of a chidren's version of "A Midsummer Nights Dream" performed by middle school students directed by Shakespeare At Play actors. The second half of the video shows Shakespeare At Play actors performing "Richard III" at the Colony Theatre in Burbank.


 


 

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