San Jose Youth Shakespeare

Our Mission

San Jose Youth Shakespeare is a theatre company for young people who are interested in performing in high-quality, full-length productions of Shakespeare's plays. Ages of cast members range from 8 to 21. Our plays are not edited beyond what is standard in professional theatre.

Regardless of their age, our players are expected to work toward and maintain a high standard of performance. The group seeks to establish a strong sense of community that is shaped around a creative and intellectual interest in Shakespeare's dramatic poetry. The company is run and sustained by the cast, production crew, and their families.

Our productions benefit audience members of all ages, especially the very young and their families who are experiencing Shakespeare's language for the first time. We have found that young audience members are more readily accepting of the language when they see their peers performing it. Through this philosophy, we have formed a strong company and loyal audience, all of whom are developing a lifelong enjoyment of Shakespeare's works.