Fighting California Shakespeare Theater announced Thursday that it had reached an “insurmountable financial impasse” and was closing permanently.
In a temporary announcement attributed to chief executive Clive Worsley, the 50-year-old Orinda-based company said it had “no choice but to cease operations, begin layoffs and take steps towards permanent closure of the business.” company”.
The news — the latest shakeup in a troubled performing arts landscape — comes less than a month after Cal Shakes staged its only production of 2024, the popular Bard comedy “As You Like It,” at Bruns Amphitheater. But the company had to mount an emergency fundraising campaign of $350,000 to make this production possible and has been in financial crisis since 2020, when the entire season was shut down because of the pandemic. Cal Shakes hosted shortened seasons in 2021 and 2022, then had a dark 2023 as it prepared for this year's 50th anniversary season. But despite this year's successful fundraising campaign — bolstered by a $100,000 donation from Oakland native and Cal Shakes alum Zendaya and donations from about 700 people — and a well-received production of “As You Like It,” the company failed to sustain its financial fortunes Problems not coping with hardships.
Many theater groups and other arts businesses have been struggling since the pandemic, which has halted live performances across the country and exacerbated trends of smaller audiences, reduced subscription sales and government support, and fewer donations.
Palo Alto-based TheaterWorks Silicon Valley, which opened a production of the basketball-themed play “King James” this week, nearly closed at the tip of 2023 but was saved by a $3 million fundraising effort.
Other firms weren't so lucky. Cal Shakes joins Bay Area troupes equivalent to TheaterFIRST, Bay Area Children's Theater, Dragon Theater, FoolsFURY, Ragged Wing Ensemble, Main Stage West, Perspective Theater Company, Those Women Productions, Bay Area Musicals and PianoFight in succumbing to financial problems.
Cal Shakes was founded in 1974 because the Emeryville Shakespeare Company, which produced free shows at John Hinkel Park in Berkeley. Then referred to as the California Shakespeare Festival, the corporate moved to Bruns Amphitheater in 1991. During his peak years, from the '90s to the mid-2010s, Cal Shakes generally staged 4 productions in the summertime and fall months, including, amongst others, a mixture of Shakespearean works in addition to comedies and dramas by other classic and contemporary playwrights.
The company and its picturesque amphitheater — nestled on 4½ acres of East Bay Municipal Utility District property within the Orinda Hills, with a picnic area and restaurant/snack bar — were popular staples of the summer outdoor theater season.
Worsley, who took over the leadership of Cal Shakes following the departures of artistic director Eric Ting and executive director Sarah Williams, said in his temporary announcement: “We are grateful to you for everything you have done to make Cal Shakes the venerable institution it is make what it once was.” for 50 years. Further news might be announced in the next weeks as the method gets underway.”
The company has rented the amphitheater and its stage for infrequent comedy and music shows lately. It was not immediately known whether EBMUD has inquiries for other possible uses for the property and facilities.
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