ROTARY LUNCHEON: The San Francisco Shakespeare Festival

For more than 40 years, the nonprofit organization of San Francisco Shakespeare Festival (SF Shakes) has championed the importance of access to Shakespeare and the performing arts. Best known for its annual Free Shakespeare in the Park production as well as its extensive arts education programs, SF Shakes has creatively pivoted its mission over the years, innovating “unified virtual space” during the pandemic, adding a venue to help activate downtown, and meeting funding challenges head-on. 

Much has changed since its first production of The Tempest back in the summer of 1983 around a picnic table in Golden Gate Park, but the mission then is the same as now: to make the words and themes of Shakespeare accessible to everyone, regardless of age, ethnicity, financial status, or level of education. SF Shakes combines a core group of actors, designers, directors, and teaching artists who bring expertise to all of Shakespeare's works. SF Shakes plays a vital role in the Bay Area arts community, serving as a catalyst for audience development by reaching thousands of people who otherwise do not attend live theater or may have never experienced it at all. Performances are in San Francisco's McLaren and Sue Bierman Parks each September as well as public parks in the rest of the Bay Area.

The talk will open with Artistic Director Carla Pantoja performing a speech from Shakespeare's Pericles, Prince of Tyre, a play that combines riddles, assassins, shipwrecks, famine, generosity, jousting, love, love child, death, revival, virtue, music, discovery, dreams and eventually reunification as only Shakespeare can tell it! Joining Carla will be Executive Director Toby Leavitt and Board Member Daniel Rabinowitz, Esq.

Carla Pantoja, Toby Leavitt, and Daniel Rabinowitz

Register here for In Person or Zoom attendance.

For in-person attendees: We welcome all attendees! The in-person registration cost for all adults and children is $45 until 11:59 AM on Friday, February 6, 2026. The meeting cost increases to $60 at noon and beyond on February 6, 2026 and includes any walk-ins on Tuesday, February 10.

The Hotel Nikko holds us to the headcount that we submit on Friday at noon, prior to our Tuesday meeting, whether those registered attend or not. In Rotary spirit, thanks for helping us to maintain a good relationship with our host hotel. 

For attendance via Zoom: For those who wish to participate via Zoom, there is a $15 fee to attend.

Accessibility: Hotel Nikko San Francisco offers accessible entrances, accommodations, restaurants, meeting spaces, and facilities so that every guest enjoys a comfortable visit.

Parking: If you are driving to the Hotel Nikko for this meeting, please leave your car with the Hotel Nikko valet. Pick up a validation sticker available at our check-in table. The discounted parking is $25 for three hours.

Photo Policy and Disclaimer: By attending events of the Rotary Club of San Francisco, you give to the Club permission to publish photos of you at our events. If you have questions about this policy, please contact sfrotary2@gmail.com.

Email Policy and Disclaimer: By registering online for events of the Rotary Club of San Francisco, you give to the Club permission to use your email to invite you to future events. If you have questions about this policy or wish to opt out at any time, please contact sfrotary2@gmail.com.