Silicon Valley Shakespeare

What Silicon Valley Shakespeare does

Silicon Valley Shakespeare (SVS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit theatre company founded in 1999 (originally as Shady Shakespeare Theatre Company, rebranded 2015) and headquartered in San Jose, California. The organization produces a year-round season of Shakespeare and classic works across five core live programs: Free Shakespeare in the Park at Willow Street Park (11 performances, free admission), Summer Repertory at Sanborn County Park (22 ticketed performances at $32-$64), a winter A Christmas Carol production at Montalvo Arts Center ($45-$200), the 48-hour Play Festival co-produced with Foothill College, and free ShakesBEERience staged readings at local breweries. SVS supplements live theatre with three education products (ShakesCamp summer camp at $499/participant, Traveling Academy in-school workshops at $150-$1,700 per booking, and a Trainee Program for emerging artists) and three digital products (ShakesPod podcast, streaming Digital Productions, and a Shakespeare Audio Play Series).

The company operates with a small core team of approximately 11 staff members supplemented by contracted actors, crew, and volunteers. There is no proprietary technology platform; the technology stack is standard nonprofit infrastructure: a Squarespace website, VBO Tickets for online ticketing, Constant Contact for email, and standard social media plus podcast distribution. Production technology is conventional live-theatre staging. Operationally, SVS runs a hybrid community-driven, event-driven, and sales-led go-to-market: free outdoor productions and grassroots volunteer recruitment build community engagement and audience pipeline, seasonal ticketed repertory drives earned revenue, and direct outreach to K-12 schools drives education bookings.

The revenue model is donation-heavy by design: ticket sales account for only ~30% of revenue, with the balance from a tiered Donors Circle membership ($150-$6,000+), annual fund contributions, legacy giving instruments, education program fees, concessions, and shopping-portal affiliate programs. Since 1999 SVS has served over 115,000 patrons, provided over $1.95M in free admission, reached 2,000+ students annually, and grown its annual budget from $1,100 to over $300,000. Customer segments are deliberately diversified across general public/families, K-12 schools, families with youth, emerging artists, arts patrons/donors, and corporate partners, and the company maintains an explicit DEI commitment (minimum 50% BIPOC and 50% underrepresented-gender casting each season).

Name

Silicon Valley Shakespeare

Legal name

Silicon Valley Shakespeare

Website

https://svshakespeare.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Silicon Valley Shakespeare is a San Jose-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit theatre company that produces free and ticketed Shakespeare and classic productions across the San Francisco Bay Area, complemented by youth education programs and digital content, supported primarily through donations and a tiered Donors Circle.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Theatre / Performing Arts

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110), Fine Arts Schools (61161)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Classical & Contemporary Theatre (Plays/Drama) (MPAGABAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Touring Theatre Productions (MPAGABAC), Theatre Education, Training & Conservatories (MPAGABAN), Children’s & Youth Theatre (MPAGABAE)

Keywords

• Live theatre productions
• Shakespeare performances
• Youth theatre education
• Community performing arts
• Nonprofit theatre company

Headquarters

HQ city

San Jose

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Primary revenue from ticketed performances. Summer repertory at Sanborn Park generates the bulk of ticket revenue, with prices ranging $32-$64. A Christmas Carol benefits at Montalvo run $45-$78 standard, $200 VIP.
2. Donors Circle & Annual Fund: Recurring donations from donors at multiple tiers ($150-$6,000+) providing ticket discounts, early seating, and other perks. Annual Fund supports everyday operations including free admission for kids.
3. Education Programs: Revenue from summer camp ($499/participant), Traveling Academy workshops ($150-$1,700 per booking), and performance intensives for schools.
4. Concessions & Merchandise: Food, beverage, and merchandise sales at performances. Wine, water, snacks, cookies, candy, hot and cold beverages available at shows.
5. Shopping Fundraisers: Percentage donations from online purchases through GoodShop, iGive, and Giving Assistant programs where shopping triggers donations to SVS.
6. Legacy Giving: Planned giving through IRA charitable rollovers, charitable remainder trusts, bequests, life insurance, and retirement plan beneficiary designations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Silicon Valley Shakespeare produces and presents live Shakespeare and classic theatre productions across outdoor and indoor Bay Area venues, including free Shakespeare in the Park, summer repertory, holiday shows, the 48-Hour Play Festival, and ShakesBEERience staged readings. It also delivers fee-based youth theatre education (summer camp, in-school workshops) and emerging-artist training programs, supported by a donor circle and community volunteer base.

Product overview

Silicon Valley Shakespeare offers a portfolio of theatre productions and education programs centered on Shakespeare and classic works. The core products include Free Shakespeare in the Park (free performances at Willow Street Park), Summer Repertory (ticketed shows at Sanborn Park), Winter Shows (holiday productions), 48-Hour Play Festival (new works), and ShakesBEERience (casual staged readings at breweries). Education offerings comprise ShakesCamp (summer theatre training for youth), Traveling Academy (in-school programs), and Trainee Program (mentorships for emerging artists). Digital products include ShakesPod (podcast) and streaming Digital Productions. The company operates primarily as a live theatre organization with seasonal productions and year-round educational outreach serving over 2,000 students in local schools.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ShakesPod: Silicon Valley Shakespeare's podcast taking a closer look at the wonderful world of William Shakespeare and the classics. Hosted by Resident SVS Dramaturg Doll Piccotto.
• Trainee Program
• Traveling Academy
• ShakesCamp
• ShakesBEERience
• 48-hour Play Festival
• Digital Productions

Products and services

• Free Shakespeare in the Park One Shakespeare play free to the public at Willow Street Frank Bramhall Park in San Jose each spring, with 11 performances making theatre accessible to all community members.
• Summer Repertory Two affordably ticketed Shakespeare, classics, or classics-inspired plays in Sanborn Park in Saratoga each summer with 22 performances across both productions.
• Winter Show

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 115,000 patrons served since 1999 with nearly 25% being children and students
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Foothill College Theatre DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Annual co-production of 48-hour Play Festival at Foothill College Lohman Theatre. Writers, directors, and actors collaborate to create new plays in 48 hours. Festival provides student involvement and venue while SVS provides artistic direction and production support.
• South Bay Musical TheatreminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Co-produced Pride and Prejudice (2021) with South Bay Musical Theatre. Joint production expanded resources and audience reach for both organizations.
• The Tabard Theatre CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Co-produced Shylock (2021) with The Tabard Theatre Company. Partnership allowed both companies to share resources and audiences for this contemporary work.
• ComedySportzminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Co-produced Much Improv About Nothing (2021) with ComedySportz, combining SVS Shakespeare expertise with ComedySportz improv skills.
• Family Giving TreeminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021Partnership for A Christmas Carol holiday gift drive. Audience members encouraged to bring developmental toys and gifts for Family Giving Tree's holiday wish drive.
• Buck Hill ProductionscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Co-producer of ShakesBEERience staged reading series. Brings one-night-only performances to local venues like Cafe Stritch and Narrative Fermentations. Partnership expands reach of SVS programming to casual theatre-goers.
• City of San Jose Parks DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Partnership with City of San Jose for use of Willow Street Park for annual Free Shakespeare in the Park productions since 2013. City provides venue; SVS provides free entertainment.
• Montalvo Arts CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual venue partner for A Christmas Carol winter production. SVS performs immersive, walking production through Montalvo's 175-acre property in Saratoga. Partnership provides unique venue for holiday show.
• Narrative FermentationsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHost venue for ShakesBEERience staged readings. Brewery provides space for free performances of Shakespeare plays. SVS provides entertainment; brewery serves as general public venue.
• San Jose State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperative partnership with SJSU Department of Film and Theatre. Provides student involvement, internship opportunities, and academic collaboration. SJSU theatre education graduates join SVS as actors and technicians.
• Giving AssistantminorGTM or Marketing PartnerShopping portal where users shop at partner retailers and percentage of purchases donated to SVS at no cost to shopper.
• GoodShopminorGTM or Marketing PartnerShopping portal offering discounts and cash back while percentage of purchases benefit SVS.
• iGiveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerShopping portal with over 1,750 partner online stores where purchases can provide up to 10% donation to SVS. Browser button available for easy activation.
• Santa Clara County ParkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Santa Clara County Parks for use of Sanborn County Park for summer repertory since 2002. County provides scenic outdoor venue; SVS provides ticketed entertainment.
• Tony and Alba'sminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal restaurant business that organized Bay Area restaurants to provide free meals during federal funding freeze. Catering Fezziwig's Yuletide Benefit with buffet for A Christmas Carol benefit performance.
• Chipidee CookiesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal bakery providing dessert treats for A Christmas Carol benefit performance and cookies & tea nights at summer productions. Audience favorite confectionery vendor.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• California Shakespeare Theater: Major Bay Area Shakespeare company operating the Bruns Amphitheater in Orinda. Comparable repertory season, comparable education programs, but operates at a larger production scale with a higher annual budget.
• Marin Shakespeare Company: North Bay Shakespeare company with summer outdoor repertory and education programs serving K-12 students. Closely mirrors Silicon Valley Shakespeare's combination of free park shows, ticketed summer repertory, and youth programming.
• Pacific Repertory Theatre: California coast-based repertory theatre producing classic and Shakespeare works with youth education. Comparable repertory model and education arm.
• Tabard Theatre Company: San Jose-area theatre company that co-produced Shylock with SVS. Comparable regional mission and co-production relationship; partner as well as competitor for the same South Bay donor base.
• Pear Theatre: Mountain View-based small theatre company producing classical and contemporary works. Comparable regional scale, talent pool overlap (SVS Technical Director Louis Stone-Collogne is also Technical Director at Pear).
• South Bay Musical Theatre: South Bay-based musical theatre company that co-produced Pride and Prejudice with SVS in 2021. Comparable regional scale, similar nonprofit model, audience overlap in the San Jose area.
• San Francisco Shakespeare Festival: Bay Area producer of Free Shakespeare in the Park, education programs, and touring productions. Most directly comparable peer: same mission (accessible Shakespeare), same regional geography, overlapping free outdoor programming model.

Broad incumbents

• TheatreWorks Silicon Valley: Major Silicon Valley-based theatre company producing new works and classics. Competes for the same donor base in the Bay Area and maintains education programming; serves as a benchmark for what scaled regional theatre looks like.
• San Jose Stage Company: Larger San Jose-based professional theatre company. Overlaps for Bay Area classical and contemporary theatre audiences, but operates at higher production scale and budget.
• Oregon Shakespeare Festival: One of the largest repertory Shakespeare festivals in the U.S., based in Ashland, OR. Operates at a far larger scale but shares the repertory-season, classics focus, and education programming model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SVShakes
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCZ3jKv4RKqyKjRbKkGBMLbw
• Facebookfacebook.com/SVShakes
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/silicon-valley-shakespeare

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Silicon Valley Shakespeare