The Land
Our theatres are built on land inhabited and cared for by Coast Miwok people since time immemorial. Many native artifacts have been found on site near the Forest Meadows Amphitheatre. Read about The Indigenous History of the Forest Meadows Amphitheatre.
Forest Meadows Amphitheatre
Home to one of Marin’s most successful performing arts organizations, audiences of over 10,000 theatre-goers enjoy great classical performances at the Forest Meadows Amphitheatre each year.
Click here for Directions and Parking
Click here for For Your Comfort for information about box office and ticketing, seating, cafe and picnicking, pre-show Talks and more.
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 with a banquet dinner and candlelight procession and the establishment of the Brebner Artistic Endowment to help support Marin Shakespeare Company into the future.
in 2020, Marin Shakespeare Company completed extensive renovations that will preserve the space for decades to come, enhance accessibility, audience and actor comfort, acoustics, and safety.
Forest Meadows seats more than 500 people. Its graceful stage and reflecting pool are surrounded by towering trees. The stage was constructed so that when the moon is full it rises directly above the actors. The Forest Meadows Amphitheatre is one of the most elegant outdoor theatres in the country. Each year, audiences return eager to see what new wonders the talented set designers have created in this special place, and to hear Shakespeare and other classic plays in this magical, sylvan setting. The Amphitheatre also provides learning experiences for thousands of students who enjoy performances and classes here every summer.
514 Fourth Street, San Rafael
Center for Performing Arts, Education, and Social Justice
Just five blocks from the Forest Meadows Amphitheatre, this venue will be used for performances, classes, meetings, auditions, rehearsals, rentals, and special events. We anticipate moving our administrative offices to 514 Fourth Street in the Spring of 2023, when we will obtain our occupancy permit after construction is completed. The venue also houses Marin Shakespeare Company’s costume and prop repository. This venue will be a gathering place for cultural engagement, learning, and promoting social change for generations to come.