• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

  news@sdshakespeare.org

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
SDSS

The San Diego Shakespeare Society

Celebrating the Bard's Works Since 2002

  • News
  • Calendar
  • Events
    • Rupert Essinger Open Readings
    • Lecture Series
    • Mock Trials
    • San Diego Museum of Art Program
    • Student Shakespeare Festival
    • Bard Birthday Party and Member Celebration Event
    • Sonnets Program
  • About
    • Welcome from Tom Haine
    • Our Mission and More
    • A (Brief) History…
    • Leadership
    • Supporters and Sponsors
    • In Memoriam
    • Awards and Press
    • Book of the Month
    • SD Shakespeare Resources
  • Contribute
    • Donate
    • Support While You Shop!
    • Volunteer
    • Committees
    • Add your Event to our Calendar
    • Write a blog post for SDSS
    • Auditions and Submissions
    • Call for Open Reading Directors
    • Board, Officer, and Committee Advisor Applications
  • Members
    • Join
    • Login
    • Member Dashboard
    • Members Online Library
    • Member Discounts
    • Edit/View Profile
    • Password Reset
    • Logout
  • Contact
Join

2021 Readings Schedule

ALL READINGS HAVE BEEN MOVED ONLINE, and begin at 5:00 pm. First Tuesday of the month.

Read more about all our readings in our announcement post! Check our calendar to sign up—all readings are FREE to attend!

  • Tuesday, January 5: As You Like It (Part One) – led by Patrick McBride
  • Tuesday, February 2: As You Like It (Part Two) – led by Patrick McBride
  • Tuesday, March 2: The Tempest (Part One) – led by Genevieve Foster
  • Tuesday, April 6: The Tempest (Part Two) – led by Genevieve Foster
  • Tuesday, May 4: Julius Caesar (Part One) – led by David Hausman
  • Tuesday, June 1: Julius Caesar (Part Two) – led by David Hausman
  • Tuesday, July 6: Titus Andronicus (Part One) – led by Bill Glaser
  • Tuesday, August 3: Titus Andronicus (Part Two) – led by Bill Glaser
  • Tuesday, September 7: Much Ado About Nothing (Part One) – led by Kim Keeline
  • Tuesday, October 5: Much Ado About Nothing (Part Two) – led by Kim Keeline
  • Tuesday, November 2: Cymbeline (Part One) – led by Charlie Riendeau
  • Tuesday, December 7: Cymbeline (Part Two) – led by Charlie Riendeau

Frequently asked questions  about the open readings

Q:  Do I have to read?

A:  You are welcome to show up and just watch.  We suspect, however, that it will look like too much fun for you to resist for long. A lot of newcomers don’t want to read initially but when they see how fun it is, they join in! But there is no pressure at all if you just want to watch and we have regular attendees who have never read.

Q: Do I have to bring a book?

A:  You don’t need to have the play if you just want to listen, but it can be fun to follow along in a copy even if you are not reading. At readings held at libraries, copies are kindly provided by the library. At other readings, if you do want to read it is recommended that you bring your own copy of the text to be read that night, a Complete Works, or at least a smartphone or tablet so you can find the text online.

Q: Can I act as a specific character or be in a particular scene?

A:  That may be possible.  Each evening has an assigned director who has planned what scenes to cover.  If you are really anxious to act in a specific scene, talk to the director at the start and see what can be arranged.  No guarantees, but if the scene is being done that night, it might be possible.  All scenes are cast that night right before they are read, so usually, everyone who wants to act has the chance to do at least a small role.

Q: Who can participate?

A:  Everyone!  They are free and open to the public.

There’s also a Meetup website page for our readings. Please click below.

San Diego Shakespeare Society Meetup

Become a member of the Society!

Join the SDSS today and immediately receive exclusive access to:

  • • Discounts, special events, and more!
  • • We partner with local theatres (like The Old Globe, New Match Collective, Shakespeare in the Vines) to offer savings on tickets!
  • • Members receive discounts to our events!
  • • We even offer occasional paid opportunities to act, direct, and produce!

Footer

Join the SD Bard Insider!

Sign up and we'll send you our FREE gift, "7 Ways to Enjoy Shakespeare More"

You'll also receive the latest news, events and announcements straight to your inbox.

About

Gold Seal of TransparencyThe San Diego Shakespeare Society was founded in 2002. We are a registered 501(C)(3) Not-For-Profit.

Partners and Supporters

The Old Globe
SD Commission Arts
CSA USD Shakespeare Pub
County of San Diego North Coast Rep

Proud member of…

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright  © 2025 San Diego Shakespeare Society.

All rights reserved. Site customized by Nathan Agin. Return to top