OUR PURPOSE

We engage our community through professional and innovative productions that draw inspiration and energy from Shakespeare’s works and their legacy.

OUR GUIDING VALUES

These principles are accountabilities that guide our decision-making, our interactions with each other, and how we work with those we serve.

COLLABORATION

Our commitment to listening and cooperating with each other and our community in the pursuit of shared goals. We actively contribute to our community and strive to be good neighbours.

INNOVATION

Our commitment to challenging and improving the status quo with open minds that explore the merits of new ideas and perspectives. We engage in experimentation and are committed to continuous learning.

PLAY

Our commitment to foster celebration and fun.

PROFESSIONALISM

Our commitment to fostering the traits that make our people and productions exceptional. Integrity and equality are fundamental to who we are and how we do things. Our commitment to employ and develop local theatre practitioners.

RECONCILIATION, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

Our commitment to fairness and consideration of diverse peoples and perspectives to foster a sense of safety and belonging. We create work that strives to impact people from all backgrounds. We respect the need to make right with all our relations, and recognize that we are all Treaty people.

STEWARDSHIP

Our commitment to the careful and responsible management of all that is entrusted to our care.

OUR HISTORY

Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan Festival Inc was founded in 1985 by a group of artists who took over a small portion of city property to stage productions of the Bard in unique and accessible ways for the people of Saskatoon. Over the subsequent 38 years this niche company has grown into a Saskatoon tradition that sparks and enlivens the summer months of the city. With a history and tradition of punching above its weight class, it has been known for making magic out of very little.

Between 2010 and 2017 large strides were made to bring the organization to a place of stability where the ultimate goal - transforming its temporary river-side festival site - into a year-round park with permanent infrastructure could be possible. This Staging the Future Capital Campaign was launched in 2018 and culminated in 2020, after more than a decade of dreaming and planning. The results include a complete overhaul of the entire site including massive professionally landscaped festival grounds, new pavilions for the Box Office, Dressing Room, and Concession, and a permanent amphitheatre and new structure to support the seasonal fabric that makes the theatre proper in the summer months.

2020 was to be the company's launch into a new era. Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic the grand launch that was planned was cancelled outright and the subsequent seasons in 2021 and 2022 were overshadowed by lingering restrictions and audience hesitation to return to live events. The Theatre is facing the reality of needing to build back to pre-pandemic levels AND expand to support the increased expenses associated with owing and caring for the new facilities and festival park.

In 2025, Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan Festival will turn a monumental 40 years old. But before we can look forward to celebrating in 2025, we are taking this season to contemplate and look to the past at what we have done. With our 2024 season, we are taking a closer look at the tradition of performing Shakespeare in anticipation of that milestone. We feel quite strongly that to step into the next 40 years we need to take a closer look at where we came from and what we inherited, thereby positioning ourselves to confidently move forward with the confidence of who we are. Much of our programming and investigation in our 39th season are led with the question of ‘why?’. Why do we do these plays here in Saskatoon? Why are they so dominant? Why has the Saskatoon community supported and craved Shakespeare for nearly four decades? Why, specifically, Shakespeare?

Visit our website to find out more - shakespearesask.com

Patron Donor Campaign 2024

Why donate to SHAKESPEARE ON THE SASKATCHEWAN FESTIVAL INC on CanadaHelps?