FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: John Olchak | Director of Marketing and Communications | jolchak@calshakes.org
FOR THE FINALE OF ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON IN 2024
CALIFORNIA SHAKESPEARE THEATER ANNOUNCES
AS YOU LIKE IT
Directed by Elizabeth Carter
Opening Night September 14, 2024
runs September 12 to 29, 2024
at the Bruns Memorial Amphitheater
Tickets for the “At the Bruns” Summer Season Series
will go on sale in early 2024!
ORINDA, CA (August 22, 2023)—Today, California Shakespeare Theater (Cal Shakes) announced As You Like It as the finale of their 50th Anniversary season in 2024, under the direction of long time Cal Shakes collaborator Elizabeth Carter. Opening Night is September 14, 2024. As You Like It will run from September 12, 2024 to September 29, 2024. Tickets for the full 2024 At the Bruns summer season series will go on sale in early 2024.
“For the culmination of our 50th anniversary season in 2024 I’m so excited to announce one of the best of Shakespeare’s best pastoral plays, As You Like It ”, says Clive Worsley, Executive Director at Cal Shakes. “The eucalyptus groves at the Bruns will be standing in for the greenwood trees of the forest of Arden where Orlando pins his love letters to Rosalind. The play’s themes of love, discovering one’s true self, embracing the bucolic bliss of the forest, and returning to a state of nature are more important and relevant today than ever. And, we could not have a director more suited to take the helm of our 50th Anniversary production than long time beloved Cal Shakes family member Elizabeth Carter. Elizabeth’s keen eye and crisp staging is fully on display currently in Wolf Play with our friends at Shotgun Theater.”
“To me, As You Like It is ultimately about the freedom to uncover ourselves and being loved for our true selves, and that the least of us is the most of us” says Elizabeth Carter, Director of As You Like It
“Shakespeare often has loss at the fulcrum of his plays, be it comedies, tragedies or romances – but in a comedy like As You Like It, he shows us the glorious, often hilarious, transformative power that goes along with losing. Sometimes we just have to dare to lose everything we thought we were and needed before we can win.” Dr. Philippa Kelly, Resident Dramaturg, Cal Shakes.
About Elizabeth Carter
Elizabeth Carter is a longtime SF Bay Area theatremaker. Most recently she directed Wolf Play for Shotgun Players. Her recent regional directing credits include Confederates (St. Louis Rep), Steel Magnolias (TheatreWorks Silicon Valley), and past productions Every 28 Hours Plays and A Place To Belong (A.C.T Conservatory), Stoop Stories (Aurora Theatre Co.), Sweat (Center Rep), associate director on the ripple the wave that carried me home (Berkeley Rep/Goodman Theatre) and assistant director How I Learned What I Learned (Oregon Shakespeare Festival). She directed the ground breaking 2020 virtual King Lear, (SF Shakespeare Festival), Feel the Spirit (Shotgun Players/Colt Couer NYC). Elizabeth’s for colored girls… was awarded Broadway World’s Best Play. Her directorial film debut Bottled Spirits won Best Narrative Film at the London Pan African Film Festival. She is a recipient of the Bridging the Gap Grant and is a 2019 alum of Director’s Lab West. Elizabeth was the inaugural SDCF Lloyd Richards New Futures Resident Director at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and a 2023 Lucas Arts Fellow. Elizabeth started her career as an actor with Cal Shakes (Richard II, Winter’s Tale, Romeo and Juliet) and returned in 2016 (Othello, You Never Can Tell) and taught in their summer conservatory.
About California Shakespeare Theater
Under the leadership of Executive Director Clive Worsley, California Shakespeare Theater (Cal Shakes) is now in its 49th season as a nationally recognized leader in drawing on the power of authentic, inclusive storytelling to create more vibrant communities. Serving more than 43,000 people annually, Cal Shakes invites people from all walks of life to make deeply felt connections with our shared humanity through its work onstage, in schools, and with people in non-traditional settings throughout the Bay Area who have little or no access to theater. For more information, visit calshakes.org.
About At the Bruns
At the Bruns is the multi-disciplinary performing arts summer series at the Bruns Memorial Amphitheater. This new showcase highlights a wide range of programming from partner community arts and culture organizations that align with Cal Shakes’ values and support the Bay Area theater and performing arts ecosystem. The series highlights music, comedy, classical music and of course theater. Cal Shakes, as the resident theater of the Bruns, is proud to sponsor the theater offerings this summer. For more information go to calshakes.org/atthebruns
At the Bruns—Before you go
For events At the Bruns, guests are encouraged to dress in layers, as temperatures at the outdoor venue can fluctuate widely even within the same day.
Outside Food and Beverage, is not encouraged and is subject to a picnicking fee. Please visit the snack bar for food and drink where your purchase helps support the Bruns.
Outside Alcoholic Beverages, are not allowed at the Bruns. Please visit the café for wine and beer where your purchase helps support the Bruns.
No Weapons/Firearms. All weapons and firearms are strictly prohibited on the grounds.
No Open Flame. This includes: BBQs, candles, matches, incense, torches, or other instruments that use open flame, as designated by the Fire Marshall. Smoking is allowed in the designated area only.
No Dogs/Pets. The Bruns is located on protected watershed land, and all outside animals are prohibited, with the exception of service dogs.
Media Contact: John Olchak | Director of Marketing and Communications | jolchak@calshakes.org
