The Destination for Shakespeare in Los Angeles
SCLA provides Los Angeles with innovative, world-class theatrical productions of Shakespeare and other great works, high-quality arts education and workforce development programs for underserved youth, veterans, and formerly incarcerated people — because arts engagement builds community and changes lives.
The Shakespeare Center Comprehensive Campaign
Now Showing at the Shakespeare Center
While we are under construction, we will continue to be a home for Inspiring mainstage productions, Empowering education and youth development programs, and community Serving initiatives that uplift our community.
Become a Member!
Becoming a member is the easiest way to help the Shakespeare Center change lives in LA! Members receive exclusive discounts, invites to member only events, tickets to our opening season, and so much more!
Will Power After School
Our signature youth serving program Will Power After School serves youth aged 14-24 who are hired as full-time, paid employees to study, create, produce, and perform adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays. Youth are guided throughout by trained teaching artists/mentors, human relations facilitators, and peer mentors who are program alumni.
Veterans in Art
In 2012, SCLA launched Veterans in Art (ViA), a program offering short-term paid vocational training in technical theater arts and life-skills development for high-need, chronically underemployed, honorably discharged U.S. military veterans. Its goal is to build confidence and community for veterans who are struggling with their reentry to civilian life. ViA participants work as venue and scenic crews, audio engineers, wardrobe assistants, and technical directors for professional productions.
The Shakespeare Center Ignites Social Change
Now, more than ever, we are committed to being a vibrant hub for award-winning, contemporary interpretations of Shakespeare’s works and to serving our community through programs designed to engage and enrich people from all walks of life.
Mainstage Productions
Our Mainstage Productions are produced for general audiences with special Student Matinee performances offered to Title 1 schools. Most recently, in 2023, SCLA staged The Tempest: An Immersive Experience. The Los Angeles Times named this production one of the “nine top Los Angeles theater offerings for 2023.”
Arts Education
Will Power to Schools offers teachers at Title 1 schools from LAUSD with in-person professional development seminars, arts integration training projects, and free innovative curriculum materials. This nationally-recognized program enhances the way teachers at Title 1 schools inspire meaningful classroom engagement related to the works of William Shakespeare.
Workforce Development
Will Power After-School serves youth aged 14-24 who are hired as full-time, paid employees to study, create, produce, and perform adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays. Youth are guided throughout by trained teaching artists/mentors, human relations facilitators, and peer mentors who are program alumni.
In 2012, SCLA launched Veterans in Art (ViA), a program offering short-term paid vocational training in technical theater arts and life-skills development for high-need, chronically underemployed, honorably discharged U.S. military veterans. Its goal is to build confidence and community for veterans who are struggling with their reentry to civilian life. ViA participants work as venue and scenic crews, audio engineers, wardrobe assistants, and technical directors for professional productions.