The Bay Area's performing arts community has been dealt a severe blow as the venerated California Shakespeare Theater, commonly known as Cal Shakes, announced its impending shutdown. The company, a beacon of outdoor theater excellence for half a century, has succumbed to financial strain, capping off the long list of local theaters that have closed doors in the shadow of the pandemic's long reach.
In a statement released via Instagram, Clive Worsley, Cal Shakes' Executive Director, informed supporters of the "insurmountable financial impasse" that has led to this drastic step. To his dismay, operations have been suspended, and layoffs began, with closure on the horizon, as mentioned in Cal shakes a recent Instagram post.
Cal Shakes' demise is not merely about losing a cultural institution but also the wider ramifications for the region's artistic milieu. Through its dedication to classical and groundbreaking contemporary performances, the theater has become an important stepping stone for talents such as Zendaya. As the San Francisco Chronicle reports, significant talents like actor Aldo Billingslea lament the loss, describing it as one of the biggest blows. Cal Shakes' contributions extended beyond artistic offerings, as it ran education programs and a carpentry shop supplying sets for other Bay Area theaters. These programs have been instrumental in building careers and fostering a community united by a passion for theater.
Despite heroic fundraising efforts that included a hefty donation from Oakland native Zendaya, financial realities proved stubborn, with a looming $2.5 million annual budget casting a long shadow. The East Bay Municipal Utility District, lamenting the loss of Cal Shakes as a tenant, hinted at the behind-the-scenes difficulties faced by the theater, which included logistical challenges at their 4.5-acre Orinda property. An agency spokesperson, Andrea Pook told the San Francisco Chronicle, "shows that we are part of the community," underscoring Cal Shakes' community integration.
Founded in 1974, Cal Shakes underwent several name transformations during its storied existence and was known for presenting vibrant and innovative productions that broke boundaries and invigorated classical texts. The loss of Cal Shakes isn't an isolated event. Its shuttering aligns with a disturbing trend across the Bay Area, where treasured theatrical spaces like Cutting Ball Theater and the Exit Theatre have also extinguished their spotlights. This pattern reflects a broader narrative of the arts struggling to stay buoyant in a post-pandemic world, deeply felt by those within and outside the Bay Area's theater community.
