Santa Cruz Shakespeare Celebrates Groundbreaking at DeLaveaga Park

On April 2, 2016, Santa Cruz Shakespeare held its official groundbreaking ceremony for its new theater, The Grove, in DeLaveaga Park, 501 Upper Park Rd. in Santa Cruz.

On hand to celebrate were Santa Cruz Shakespeare staff and board members, Santa Cruz City Mayor Cynthia Mathews, Santa Cruz City Council, as well as key members of Parks and Recreation and City Planning who helped bring the project to fruition.

"This theater is very much about the community," said Artistic Director Mike Ryan in his remarks at the ceremony. "It's not only about celebrating the community we have, but also about imagining the community we can create."

Santa Cruz Shakespeare has completed negotiations with the City and a 2-year lease agreement has been signed for the site. The lease stipulates that negotiations for a long-term lease will begin following the 2016 summer season. As of the groundbreaking date, Santa Cruz Shakespeare has raised over $800,000 toward its $1,000,000 goal for construction of the new outdoor theater. In addition, numerous volunteers from the community have signed up to help with general labor, carpentry, brush-clearing, landscaping, in-kind donations, and more to get the theater ready by July 12, 2016, the first scheduled public performance in The Grove.

The 2016 season starts with Shakespeare's magical comedy in the woods, A Midsummer Night's Dream, directed by Terri McMahon, opening on July 15; followed by Shakespeare's iconic tragedy, Hamlet, opening July 29 with direction by Paul Mullins, director of SSC's Henry V in 2013.

Plus, Santa Cruz Shakespeare continues the tradition of showcasing the season's intern acting company with a Fringe production of the time-traveling, gender-bending comedy Orlando,by Sarah Ruhl and based on the novel by Virginia Woolf, with three performances only, starting August 17.

Tickets for all shows go on sale May 16, 2016 with a Santa Cruz Shakespeare Member pre-sale starting May 2, and can be purchased online at santacruzshakespeare.org.

Santa Cruz Shakespeare (SCS), rooted in Santa Cruz, California, is preparing to celebrate its third season as an independent non-profit theatre company. Inspired by Shakespeare, SCS creates and strengthens community by bringing audiences and theater artists together to celebrate stories about our collective humanity. SCS envisions a community where generations are increasingly passionate and knowledgeable about Shakespeare and live theatre, a community that engages in active discussion about language and art and reaches for passion, connection, and empowerment.

Pictured: Don Lane (Council Member), Noah Downing (Parks and Recreation), Dannette Shoemaker (Parks and Recreation), Mike Ferry (Planning Commission), Cynthia Chase (Council Member), Cynthia Mathews (Mayor), Micah Posner (Council Member), Richelle Noroyan (Council Member), Mike Ryan (SCS Artistic Director), Rick Wright (SCS Board President), and David Terrazas (Council Member) at The Grove groundbreaking in DeLaveaga Park.

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