Mission:

Merced Shakespearefest provides all members of our community with the opportunity to enjoy polished live theatrical productions of the greatest playwright of all times in a relaxed park setting free of charge.

History:

“The Play’s the Thing …”

I love Shakespeare and all his characters, the lovers, the fools, the witches, the witty servants, the warriors and the timeless poetry. I also love Shakespeare festivals and Renaissance fairs and theatre and working with people to put on a finished production everybody can be proud of and have fun with.

Merced’s own Shakespeare festival was born out of these sentiments and helped by a successful production of “Twelfth Night” that I directed for Merced Center for the Performing Arts, now Playhouse Merced, in February 2002. Cast and crew had so much fun that at the cast party some of us decided to explore the possibility of bringing a Shakespeare festival to the whole community. Wonderful Shakespeare enthusiasts like Michael Egan, Julianne Aguilar, Carolyn Hart, and others brainstormed and discussed and worked hard. Three months later we had raised some money from generous friends, relatives and art lovers, got rehearsal space from the Playhouse, a non-profit umbrella from the Merced Arts Council and had rented the rarely used Merced Open Air Theatre in Applegate Park. This stage is a perfect Shakespearian space, wide open with pillars on both sides, a lot of sun and natural light for the performers, but green grass and shade trees for the audience.

In the first season, “Much Ado About Nothing” delighted Merced audiences for two weekends; our production of “As You Like It” in the 2nd season ran for three weekends and also performed indoors at Yosemite Church and two local high schools. In 2004, our 3rd season started in May with a funny slapstick version of “Two Gentlemen of Verona” and concluded in August with a very popular “Romeo and Juliet”. For 2005 we performed “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “The Winter’s Tale” in repertory, giving our audiences the opportunity to see both plays over two weekends. For 2006 we had 4 successful performances of "The Merry Wives of Windsor" with over 800 audience members and lovely not-too-hot August weather.

In the meantime we are incorporated as Merced Shakespearefest, Inc. and have our non-profit status. The city of Merced is co-sponsoring our events and many individuals and businesses are contributing. We have a board with seven members, our budget has grown and we are preparing for future seasons.

Merced Shakespearefest, the only free outdoor Shakespeare festival in Merced County, will offer more Shakespeare in Applegate Park in Summer 2008, 2009, 2010, ...

"We are the stuff that dreams are made on ..."

Heike Hambley

Founder and Artistic Director

Merced Shakespearefest