Commonwealth Shakespeare Company

MISSION: To perform the works of William Shakespeare in vital and contemporary productions that are presented free of charge to Boston’s diverse communities, and to educate Boston’s youth not only about Shakespeare but also about their own potential for creativity. DESCRIPTION: Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, best known for its annual free performances on Boston Common, is a non-profit organization founded in 1996, and dedicated to bringing the works of William Shakespeare in vital and contemporary productions to the people of Boston and to exploring Shakespeare's works with local youth in innovative and creative ways. In addition to the annual Boston Common productions, CSC presents several free play-reading events during the year: Theatre in the Rough, Shakespeare and Law as well as Shakespeare and Leadership. CSC fulfills its educational mission with actor-training programs for both high school students and pre-professional actors with its Summer Academy. Throughout the year, CSC partners with are high schools and Boys & Girls Clubs to provide in an after-school theater activities to inner-city youth. Recent productions include The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Coriolanus, and All's Well That Ends Well (2012 Elliot Norton Award-winner for Best Production, Large Theater). CSC is the Theatre in Residence at Babson College. IMPACT: Commonwealth Shakespeare Company's FREE Shakespeare on the Common reaches upwards of 100,000 people every summer.