News Summary
The Southern Shakespeare Company (SSC) has received a $27,900 donation from 100+ Women Who Care/Tallahassee to support its educational and community programs. This donation is pivotal for SSC’s initiatives aimed at enhancing cultural education in Tallahassee, especially for youth. The funding will help in continuing Shakespeare programs, including the Bardlings theater company and Camp Shakespeare. SSC plans to expand its offerings and aims to establish a permanent space for year-round programming while facing funding challenges.
Tallahassee – The Southern Shakespeare Company (SSC) received a significant boost for its educational and community programs with a generous donation of $27,900 from 100+ Women Who Care/Tallahassee during their Third Quarter meeting. This donation marks another milestone in the collaborative efforts to enhance cultural education in the region.
The check presentation was a highlight of the meeting, featuring a sonnet delivered by Phil Croton, the Bardlings Assistant Director, composed by Laura W. Johnson, SSC’s Education and Development Director. The sonnet emphasized the profound impact that donations like these have on both SSC and the broader community, underlining the importance of such support in sustaining their initiatives.
SSC is dedicated to providing Shakespeare programs for children of varying age groups throughout Tallahassee, encompassing participants from grammar school to high school students. Among its notable offerings are:
- The Bardlings, a theater company consisting of youth actors.
- Camp Shakespeare, designed for students in grades 3-9, hosted at Tallahassee State College.
- Shakespeare in the Classroom, a program providing classroom visits to encourage student interest in Shakespearean works.
- A planned Tour of Hamlet in November.
- Arts Behind Bars, an outreach initiative targeting correctional facilities.
In addition to these programs, SSC organizes a free four-day Shakespeare in the Park Festival each February at Cascades Park, making Shakespeare’s work accessible to the public. However, the lack of federal and state funding has posed challenges for many of SSC’s programs, heightening the importance of donations from local organizations like 100+ Women Who Care.
Since its inception in November 2020, 100+ Women Who Care/Tallahassee has made a profound impact in the community, donating a total of $520,250 to local nonprofits. These donations are made possible by its structured format, where members nominate three nonprofits each quarter, hear their presentations, and then vote on the recipient of the quarterly donation.
For those interested in joining this philanthropic group, potential members can reach out to founder Virginia Glass via email at [email protected].
Looking ahead, SSC plans to move its annual Shakespeare in the Park Festival to February to mitigate the risks associated with unpredictable spring weather, with the next festival scheduled for February 19-22, 2026. The flagship production for this event will be “The Tempest,” to be performed at the Adderley Amphitheater.
The SSC’s 2025-2026 season promises to be exciting, including a variety of theatrical productions such as a pub tour, “Hamlet,” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” The company aims to enhance its offerings and broaden its base of support over the next decade.
Operating out of Tallahassee State College, SSC has aspirations to establish a permanent space where it can conduct year-round programming. As part of its 10-year anniversary campaign, the company has announced a matching contribution of up to $10,000 from two generous sponsors, designed to further bolster their initiatives.
Moreover, SSC’s upcoming production will be a touring version of “Romeo & Juliet,” starting at Tallahassee State College. The Bardlings are also gearing up for auditions for “Twelfth Night” for the 2025 Shakespeare in the Park Festival.
The leadership of SSC remains committed to engaging the community and making Shakespearean arts accessible to all. For those wishing to learn more about SSC and its endeavors, additional information can be found on their official website at southernshakespearefestival.org.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Tallahassee’s Shakespeare in the Park Festival Returns
Tallahassee Kicks Off Word of South Festival
Weekend Fun Awaits in Tallahassee
Tallahassee’s Southern Shakespeare Company Marks 10 Years of Theater
Tallahassee Community Hosts Night to Shine Prom
Musical Events in Tallahassee This February
Tallahassee’s Transit Challenges and Improvements
Southern Shakespeare Company Debuts New Adaptation of Romeo and Juliet
Additional Resources
- Tallahassee.com: 100+ Women Donate $27k to Southern Shakespeare
- Wikipedia: Southern Shakespeare Company
- Tallahassee.com: British Actor Wil Johnson Braves Visa Drama
- Google Search: Southern Shakespeare Company
- Tallahassee.com: Southern Shakespeare Moves 2026 Festival to February
- Google Scholar: Southern Shakespeare
- Tallahassee.com: Southern Shakespeare Company Marks 10th Year
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Southern Shakespeare Company
- Tallahassee.com: Meet the Stars in Southern Shakespeare’s Cosmos
- Google News: Southern Shakespeare Company
Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER
The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
