SYF announces new leadership

Shakespeare Youth Festival

After seventeen years with Shakespeare Youth Festival, Blaire Baron is leaving Los Angeles as well as her position as Artistic Director of the youth arts non-profit that she founded. She will continue to serve on the Board of Directors and as a global ambassador from her new location in Staunton, Virginia (home of American Shakespeare Center). J. Bailey Burcham, who has been involved/engaged with the organization since 2015, will step into the Executive Director spot, replacing Julia Walker Wyson who, as the new Artistic Director, will focus on the artistic direction of the company.

Baron founded SYF (formerly, Los Angeles Drama Club) in 2005, with a handful of children in her backyard — home of the historic Brookledge Theatre, precursor to LA’s Magic Castle. Through her artistic vision, the group exploded into a thriving non-profit that has reached children not only all over LA, but in Kenya, Botswana, and Mexico. “We are delighted that Blaire will continue her association with Shakespeare Youth Festival,” Wyson commented. “Among other things, as a Board member, she will be integrally involved in developing our international program, which she initiated with a trip to Botswana in 2018.” 

As Executive Director, J. Bailey Burcham will focus on expanding the programming and reach of SYF to make the highest quality of theater and community even more accessible to the youth of Los Angeles and beyond. Burcham, who first became associated with SYF in 2015 as a cast member of a production of Baron’s original script “Outspoken: Shakespeare in Shackles,” is also a local Director, Producer and Award-Winning Writer.  He has directed and produced everything from Regional Musical Theater to Experimental Fringe offerings. Previously, in his role as the Manager of the Pasadena Playhouse, Burcham was an integral part of their Tony Award Winning season. “Shakespeare Youth Festival has changed the lives of so many people, including myself,” said Burcham. “I couldn’t be more proud to take on this position to bring more of what we do to the world.” Wyson added, “Bailey is a creative, dynamic, and multi-talented artist, and we are excited to see where he takes our organization. His deep connections to the Los Angeles theater community will benefit our young artists, and he is already using those connections to bring new and diverse talent to our teaching staff.” 

Shakespeare Youth Festival’s first project under Burcham’s leadership was the annual Summer Shakespeare Institute. Youth, ages 7 – 14, from all over Los Angeles gathered in Kenneth Hahn Park to explore Shakespeare and theater. Immediately following that, the SYF Teen Ensemble presented the 2nd Annual “Ren Week,” inspired by a tradition at Staunton Virginia’s American Shakespeare Center, where they met on Monday, rehearsed all week, and presented a full-length production (this year’s was “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”) on Friday and Saturday. 

In the Fall, the troupe will begin rehearsals for “Richard II” (first time for the company), “Julius Caesar,” and “The Tempest.” The productions will be presented at the 18th annual Shakespeare Youth Festival LA.

Shakespeare Youth Festival 2023

Shakespeare Youth Festival 2023

Henry VI: War of the Roses

Saturday, March 11: Part One at 2 pm and Part Two at 4:30 pm
Sunday, March 12: Part One at 3 pm and Part Two at 5:30 pm

Saturday, March 18: Part One at 3 pm and Part Two at 5:30 pm
Sunday, March 19: Part One at 3 pm and Part Two at 5:30 pm

Macbeth

Saturday, March 25: Part One at 3 pm and Part Two at 4 pm
Sunday, March 26: Part One at 3 pm and Part Two at 4 pm

All performances will take place at:

Our Lady of Bright Mount
3424 W Adams Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90018


COVID POLICIES

Because the performance is outdoors, we will not require masks or proof of vaccination. We kindly request, though, that if you are feeling ill, you stay home, as you will be sitting in close proximity to other audience members.

Summer with SYF 2023

Summer with SYF 2023

Registration is now open for Summer with SYF 2023 – a fantastic way to introduce kids to Shakespeare!

Each session meets Monday through Friday, and culminates with a recital, sharing the work with parents, friends and the community.

We believe that every child who is drawn to this work should be able to participate, so once again this Summer, tuition will be Pay-What-You-Can. If you are able to pay something, your contribution will help us reach more children!

Register here

SYF awarded two grants from California Arts Council

SYF awarded two grants from California Arts Council

The California Arts Council has announced a grant award of $18,000 to Shakespeare Youth Festival as part of its Impact Project program in its first round of funding for 2022.

Thanks to this generous support, in Fall 2023, we will launch a multigenerational community project between our students, and elder members of the West Adams community, consisting of meaningful interviews transformed into short plays, spoken word, poetry, monologues culminating in free performances for the community.

“The pandemic created a risk of isolation and depression in many of our community’s elders – as life moved ‘online,’ seniors, especially low-income seniors, risked being left out of many of the activities that would normally have provided them with connection,” says Blaire Baron, our Artistic Director. “Now that we can begin emerging out of our isolation, we want to send a message to them that we value their experience, their memories, and their wisdom. Being seen and heard, having one’s story told for others, and acknowledgement from one’s community is a profound stabilizing, healing and uplifting event.”

In addition, Shakespeare Youth Festival will receive a General Operating grant of $28,500. We are deeply grateful for this support, which will enable us to continue to expand our programs to pre-pandemic levels and beyond.

Shakespeare Youth Festival was featured as part of a larger announcement from the California Arts Council, with grant awards for its Cycle A programming totaling more than $31 million across more than 1,100 grants supporting nonprofit organizations and units of government throughout the state. The dollar amount already marks the largest annual investment in the California Arts Council’s 46-year history.

“We are elated today to be able to say that, with this first round of funds, we are placing a historic amount of money into the very worthy hands of California’s arts and cultural workforce—and with more yet to come,” said California Arts Council Chair Lilia Gonzáles-Chávez. “We have long since understood the value of our artists in this state, and we are incredibly grateful to our Governor and our Legislature for their support and sharing in a like-minded vision for a California where all people flourish with access to and participation in the arts.”

Organizations were awarded grants across seven different program areas within Cycle A, focused on the CAC’s efforts to address geographic equity, enable autonomy and sustainability for smaller organizations, and grow the strength of local arts agencies and their partnerships.

To view a complete listing of all California Arts Council grantees by county, visit this link.

For a complete listing of grantees by organization, go to this link.

The California Arts Council is a state agency with a mission of strengthening arts, culture, and creative expression as the tools to cultivate a better California for all. It supports local arts infrastructure and programming statewide through grants, initiatives, and services. The California Arts Council envisions a California where all people flourish with universal access to and participation in the arts.

Members of the California Arts Council include: Lilia Gonzáles-Chávez, Chair; Consuelo Montoya, Vice Chair; Gerald Clarke, Vicki Estrada, Jodie Evans, Ellen Gavin, Alex Israel, Phil Mercado, and Roxanne Messina Captor. Learn more at www.arts.ca.gov.

The California Arts Council is committed to increasing the accessibility of its online content. For language and accessibility assistance, click here.

The Wild World of Shakespeare!

The Wild World of Shakespeare!

Come to ACT, to listen, to move and to CREATE A SHOW in less than two hours. That’s right! Shakespeare is not just strange words on a page – it’s a living adventure with many wild stories and they include YOU!

Walk away from this workshop filled with excitement for Shakespeare and storytelling!

Thursday, June 9 from 3:30 to 5:00 pm

FREE and Open to Grades 2 through 8

Jefferson Branch
Los Angeles Public Library

2211 W. Jefferson Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90018

Thinking about joining us for the Summer? This workshop is a great way to get acquainted with Shakespeare, and learn what Shakespeare Youth Festival is all about. If you have questions, please email us at speak@shakespeareyouthfestival.com




RSVP for The Wild World of Shakespeare

Shakespeare Youth Festival 2022

Shakespeare Youth Festival 2022

Face Everything And Rise might look like an acronym for FEAR, but it is exactly what Hermione (Winter’s Tale) and Hero (Much Ado) must do against extreme power and misogyny—at the hands of the one they loved and trusted. They have great reason to fear, but with the help of a few good allies, they rise to  goddess-like status. These metaphors presented 400 years ago are still relevant for us in 2022. Come rise with us. 

The Winter’s Tale

Friday, March 18 at 7 pm
Saturday, March 19 at 7 pm
Sunday, March 20 at 2 pm

Friday, March 25 at 7 pm
Saturday, March 26 at 7 pm
Sunday, March 27 at 2 pm

Much Ado about Nothing

Friday, April 1 at 7 pm
Saturday, April 2 at 2 pm
Sunday, April 3 at 2 pm

All performances will take place at:

Fais Do Do
5253 W Adams Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90016


COVID POLICIES

To keep our (unmasked) actors safe, we require that all audience members present proof of vaccination (or recent COVID test) upon admission, and remain masked throughout the performance. To keep our audience safe, we will be limiting the number of tickets sold at each performance, so that we may preserve social distancing in the audience.

SHAKESPEARE YOUTH FESTIVAL: LA ’21

SHAKESPEARE YOUTH FESTIVAL: LA ’21

SHAKESPEARE YOUTH FESTIVAL 2021

In April, we’ll be presenting Shakespeare Youth Festival LA 2021, live on Vimeo! Our Virtual Box Office will open in March … join our mailing list to be notified of the Festival performances.

MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

A mysterious forest, ruled over by a Fairy King and Queen, and inhabited by all sorts of magical creatures. A bunch of “civilians” who sneak into the forest to rehearse a play. And four young runaways who are fed up with life in The Court, and get caught up in it all. There’s a reason this is considered one of Shakespeare’s classics – come escape with us!!

Friday, April 16 at 7 pm
Saturday, April 17 at 2 pm
Sunday, April 18 at 2 pm

UNSPOKEN: SHAKESPEARE’S PERSONAE IN PERIL

The Shakespeare Canon is about to be privatized. A group of minor Shakespeare Actor-Characters are held in a Greenroom while the new “Funders” vote on permanent cuts to the Canon. The actor/characters must stand before the Funders and prove their relevance in their respective plays. A bittersweet comedy, its noteworthy theme embraces all marginalized people and groups having to claim their right to exist in a rapidly intolerant society. It also addresses is the life of an actor, asking the question – are all the sacrifices made for a life in the theatre really worth it?

This bittersweet comedy is a SYF original, and was a smash hit at the 2017 Hollywood Fringe!!

Friday, April 23 at 7 pm
Saturday, April 24 at 2 pm
Sunday, April 25 at 2 pm

RICHARD III

Remember That Guy We Love to Loathe? Yes, exactly! Who else?! The Boar … aka Crookback … aka KING RICHARD III!!

With 2020 behind us, we will now freely flash a 2-ton klieg light on what makes a dysfunctional dynasty.  In our Web of Dysfunction, we weave together the best of characters in the play – from the Boar’s right hand, Buckingham, who manipulates him, to his wife Lady Ann who loathes him, to his sister in law, Queen Consort, Elizabeth, who threatens him, to his enemy (Queen) Margaret of Anjou who curses him ….and finally, his Mother, Cecily Neville, who rejects him. 

Friday, April 30 at 7 pm
Saturday, May 1 at 2 pm
Sunday, May 2 at 2 pm

Black Lives Matter

Black Lives Matter

There are compelling examples of who “to be” and who “not to be” all around us.

As teaching artists, we strive to point our children’s eyes to hope while acknowledging suffering as part of the human experience, and we renew our commitment to creating theater that reflects the cultures and life experiences of our diverse community.

As Angelenos, the answer we offer is compassion, courage, and service.

What can we do right now?

Patronize Black-Owned Businesses

We personally recommend these businesses that keep us fueled during rehearsals, workshops, cast parties, and performances.

Black Owned Businesses
Gus’ Chicken
My Two Cents
We Jammin
Watts Coffee House
Sky’s Gourmet Tacos

Brown-Owned Businesses
Las Ranas
Con Sabor
Mateo’s Ice Cream
Vee’s Cafe

More businesses

Know the Past; Change the Future

As theatre-makers, we we know the power of sharing our stories. But too many stories of Black America have been buried or forgotten.

1921 Tulsa Race Massacre

Seneca Village

History of Black Cowboys

1923 Rosewood Massacre

Onesimus and Innoculation

The Reconstruction Era

The Struggle for Voting Rights

Red Summer

We learn from each other. Do you have a resource, organization, business, etc that you would like to recommend for this page? Email us.


We believe that …

the Performing Arts have the power to change a child’s life, and because we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to experience that power, we are committed to creating theater that reflects the cultures and life experiences of our diverse community.

We are dedicated to making our programs accessible to all children and to actively nurture participation by those who have been historically underrepresented, based on race/ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, citizenship status, religion or socioeconomic status.

We strive to ensure that our children are guided by a diverse collective of teaching artists, and that our policies are set by a Board of Directors that is representative of our community.

While we focus on the works of William Shakespeare, a prominent figure in the Western literary canon, we are committed to exploring Shakespeare’s themes as they apply to all humanity.

Summer with SYF moves online!!

Summer with SYF moves online!!

Registration is now open for Summer with Shakespeare Youth Festival ONLINE – a fantastic way to introduce kids to Theatre and to Shakespeare!

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ONLINE FORMAT? GET ANSWERS HERE!

SHAKESPEARE INTENSIVE

We’ll explore the characters and language of Shakespeare, improvisation, storytelling, voice and movement, stage combat, mask work, and more!

The week culminates with a live online presentation, where Players will share the work with parents and friends.

THE MAGIC OF SHAKESPEARE
It’s all about the fairies, sprites, wizards and other magical elements found in the Canon. And we’ll use this crazy new medium to create some magical special effects!!
Session One – July 6 – 10

THE KINGS & QUEENS OF SHAKESPEARE
Shakespeare’s History plays are not only chock full of all sorts of fascinating characters, but they bring to life the struggle between power and justice. Shakespeare truly wrote into the future!
Session Two – July 13 – 17

SHAKESPEARE & MYTHOLOGY
Shakespeare set many of his plays in Greece and Rome, and his references to mythology and Greek and Roman Gods show up throughout – let’s explore!!
Session Three – July 20 – 24

THE ROGUES OF SHAKESPEARE
What would Shakespeare be without its troublemakers? Whether they are making us laugh like Falstaff and Feste, or making trouble like Iago and Iachimo, or making history like Hotspur and Hal, the rulebreakers have a lot to teach us!
Session Four – July 27 – 31

Monday through Friday, 10 am to 3 pm
TUITION: $125 per week *

REGISTER TODAY

YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS

THE PLAYS THE THING! WRITE/DIRECT YOUR SHORT PLAY
The program consists of rigorous, exciting storytelling and playwriting sessions, creating short plays out of improvisations with prompts, autobiographical moments, and stories the group creates together.

In the mornings, writers will join our actors in improvisation, story-telling and other modules that will support their work as writers. In the afternoon, they will focus on the writing aspect, as they are joined by professional actors and SYF actors, who will support them in development, and who will perform the plays at the end of the week.

July 13 – 17

Monday through Friday, 10 am to 3 pm
TUITION: $125

REGISTER TODAY

* We believe that every child who is drawn to this work should be able to participate, so we offer a variety of scholarships – click here for the application form and guidelines. Please do not hesitate to apply!