Shakespearience, a long-cherished Mill Valley 501c3 non-profit theatre and arts education program for kids, turns 10 in May!
“As seems befitting of a birthday, we are holding a party – a fundraising party!” says founder & director Kitty Thompson.
“Please join us for an unforgettable evening full of delicious food, local wine, captivating performances, and swashbuckling sword fights.”
The event, which will be emceed by Thompson, is set for Saturday, May 18th from 5pm-8pm, at Jules Mercer’s amazing Boomerang Lounge/Vintage Ruse @ 256 Shoreline Hwy. in Tam Junction.
“Shakespearience needs your help to grow so we can reach more kids, more communities,” Thompson says. “Your support will help us raise money and ensure that, in the coming year, we can offer more financial aid, regardless of background or income, purchase steel stage combat weapons for our advanced students, and hire and support more Bay Area teaching artists.”
“Any donations you make in the form of food or drink, gift cards, free reservations, services, experiences, etc, are completely tax deductible,” Thompson adds. “Our Shakespearience Salon celebrates the transformative power of theatre and art in young people’s lives. It is an occasion to recognize the teachers and students who inspire us, and help to safeguard the future of arts education in the Bay Area. We can’t wait to celebrate with you! Thompson commitment extends throughout her more than 25 years as an actress at The Orpheum, The Magic, Marin Theatre Company, San Francisco Playhouse, Pacific Repertory Theatre, San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, California Shakespeare Theatre and Marin Shakespeare Company.
Thompson’s time and dedication in recent years have become dominated by her desire to pass along that love and commitment to kids, using Shakespeare’s text as a vehicle for students to develop their self esteem, multicultural empathy, emotional authenticity, and in finding a richness in human capacity and imagination.
In 2014, three years after she moved with her family from Bernal Heights in San Francisco to Mill Valley, Thompson made that effort official, turning her Shakespearience concept of inter-curricular, after-school programs and summer camps into a fully formed nonprofit entity.
Fast forward to 2024: Shakespearience continues to grow with passion, creativity and love of children. Working theatre professionals comprise the Shakespearience team, reaching students throughout MVSD (through Kiddo) as well as schools in Berkeley and SF.
Further student experience can be gained through after school workshops and summer camps, all with Shakespeare…and swords!