Shakespeare Orange County is the only professional performing arts organization in Orange County solely dedicated to producing the classics. Comprised of a professional company of actors, directors, designers, and craftspeople, Shakespeare Orange County is renowned for its commitment to producing quality theatre. Over a seventeen-year producing history, the SOC family has been recognized with numerous awards, including the 2004 award for Outstanding Arts Organization by Arts Orange County, and the prestigious Disneyland Community Service Award. Shakespeare Orange County is Chapman University’s professional resident theatre company.

In accordance with SOC’s mission, the company continually seeks to expand and enhance the theatre-going experience. Through the development of new audiences (including young people reached through educational outreach, and community service volunteers contributing to the theatre- building process), live theatre can explore, organize and enhance the conscious identity of a community, thus stimulating the participation of culturally diverse populations that share needs for literacy, self-expression, creative enjoyment and the development of the community's cultural environments.

War and Magic
 
This year we bring you a history (“Henry V”) and a magician’s journey of redemption (“The Tempest”). Join us in greeting kings and knights, queens and sages, magicians and lovers, bumblers and fumblers, sprites and half humans, and some of Shakespeare’s most interesting characters - from Caliban and Prospero to King Henry.

Come help us celebrate our fifth season at the Festival Amphitheatre, bringing you great plays as well as the opportunity to enjoy the ambiance of what the amphitheatre has to offer - terrific theatre under the stars, picnic availabilities, outdoor green shows, courtyard pre-show discussions, and much more.-- And again, thank you for your contributions, your patronage, and your love, which enables us to continue to present a seventeenth magical summer of professional theatre “under the stars.”
 

David Denman as Petruchio and Katie A. Keane as Kate in 2007 production of THE TAMING OF THE SHREW.

(Click for larger image)

COMING SOON in 2008

Henry V (July) and The Tempest(August)

the 2008 season

HENRY V (July)
THE TEMPEST (Aug)