In
1989 a small troupe of Shakespeare enthusiasts
sought to reestablish an outdoor summer Shakespeare
festival at Dominican College’s Forest Meadows
Amphitheatre. They wanted to bring the drama,
poetry and fun of Shakespeare back to Marin
for all to share. Seeking dynamic leadership,
the group invited Robert Currier and Lesley
Schisgall Currier to come to Marin to create
the new Marin Shakespeare Company.
Since then, Artistic Director Robert Currier,
now the most senior Shakespearean artistic
director in northern California, has guided
the Company to become one of Marin’s foremost
cultural assets and a beloved summertime event,
as well as a provider of year-round educational
programs. It has achieved status as a major
player in the West Coast Shakespeare scene
and is the North Bay’s only professional Shakespeare
company. As one of Marin's most successful
performing arts organizations it entertains
audiences of over 10,000 theatregoers, provides
learning experiences for more than 200 students,
and enriches over 3,500 people through outreach
programming each year.
The
original Marin Shakespeare Festival, founded
by John and Ann Brebner, produced outdoor
Shakespearean theatre at the Ross Art and
Garden Center for 6 seasons from 1961 to 1967.
That year the Forest Meadows amphitheatre
was built for the Shakespeare Festival where
it remained until 1973. In 2001 Marin Shakespeare
Company celebrated the 40th anniversary of
the founding of California's first outdoor
Shakespeare festival.
