Shakespeare in Santa Clarita In 1990 a group of graduates’ from CalArts founded the Santa Clarita Repertory Theatre, and produced the first Shakespeare in the Park production, Taming of the Shrew set in 1890 Newhall CA.  The production toured local parks throughout Santa Clarita. For the next ten years, under the leadership of David Stears, SCRT continued the Shakespeare in the Park series, expanding to more parks the SCV Senior Center. 1992 the SCRT educational outreach program was developed, and was quickly recognized as a leader in original, curricular coordinated programming.  At its height the program served more than 20,000 students annually with original works based on classic literature, bilingual fairy tales, and Shakespeare for students.  In 1998, SCRT embarked on a campaign to open the first theatre in the Newhall Redevelopment District.  In 1999, SCRT opened a state of the art 81-seat theatre.  In the summer of 2000, David Stears left the company.  Soon after SCSRT folded, and Shakespeare in the Park halted.  The theatre was home for a time to another local theatre company, and is now operated by the City of Santa Clarita as a shared use facility. 

 

A New Beginning for Shakespeare

2009 David Stears Founded a new company dedicated to reviving the Shakespeare in the Park series.  The festival was located at Rivendale site in Towsley Canyon Park.  With no outdoor perfroamcnes facilities available in teh community , SCSF would create 

 

2010 Founding of SCSF’s educational outreach program, presenting low cost and free theatre performances, directly to local schools.  Programs are based on classic literature and stories and include: Romeo & Juliet to the High Schools, original works based on classic books, and original bilingual pieces based on fairy tales and folklore. 

 

2012 The Shakespeare in the Park series rebranded itself as the LA SummerFest, an eclectic summer cultural festival of music, theatre and special events for the Northern Los Angeles County region.  The festival was comprised of free concerts and events including:  Shakespeare in the Park, a summer high school theatre program, an Americana FolkFest, a Blues Music Festival, Latin Musical & Cultural Festival a Musical revue, a Latin Music and Cultural Festival, and number concerts by local groups in the community. The festival worked with the City of Santa Clarita and local non-profit organizations including presenting local and regional performing groups.

 

2013 The City of Santa Clarita approves a Concept Master Plan for an outdoor amphitheatre, possibly at tthe Rivendale site. (http://hikesantaclarita.com/master-plan-rivendale-park-open-space/).  

 

2014 SCSF begins participation in the Los Angeles County Arts Commission Arts Internship Program, the Free Community Concerts Program, and the OGP (Organizational Grant Program).

 

2015 SCSF begins a community engagement project reaching into Newhall.  The project, based on Cornerstone Theatre type development, is a creation of a short original Spanish language play with, by and for the Latinx and Spanish speaking community.  The project will be presented at the 2015 Latin Music and Cultural Festival.   Additional performances the Newhall Community Center, and locations in San Fernando, Sylmar, and Palmdale.

 

2019 Because of increased fire hazard, the Summer Theatre Festival is brought inside with three productions split tween newhall Family Theatre and THE MAIN, a 81-seat theatre operate by the City of Santa Clarita 

 

2020 With the covid-19 pandemic, SCSF moved to producing virtual theatre, produced four pieces for through especially distanced protocols and virtual performances.

 

2021 The Phoenix Festival