Staten Island Shakespearean Theatre Company presents the works of Shakespeare, and other classical theatre, in ‘site-specific’ locations, to provide an environmental theatrical experience. Dedicated to the cultural enrichment and education of the borough and beyond, SIST strives to illuminate the universal and lasting relevance of the classics for contemporary audiences.
Since 1975 the mission of Staten Island Shakespearean Theatre (SIST) is to bring high quality Shakespearean, classical, and original theatre to the residents of Staten Island, and to provide an artistic opportunity for the actors, directors and designers who have chosen to make that community their home.
SIST embraces its present itinerant circumstances and is the only theatre company on Staten Island that presents at least one full production that is outdoors and free to the public at beautiful and exciting locations throughout Staten Island. Although we continue to travel throughout the Island, SIST is in the partnership with the National park Service as the official resident theatre company of Fort Wadsworth, Gateway National Recreation Area.
As one of the oldest theatre companies on Staten Island, SIST has been through many challenges and changes. For over 25 years, the company was in residence in its exclusive performance space in the Nurse’s Residence on the grounds of the Seaview Hospital and Rehabilitation Center in the center of Staten Island. In 2006, The Staten Island Shakespearean Theatre was forced to leave its long time home to make way for much needed senior citizen assisted living facilities on the hospital campus. The company, which was then being guided by actor, designer and director Wayne Miller, embarked on its first “site specific” series of performances at the Third County Courthouse in Historic Richmond Town. This was continued under the guidance of subsequent directors, including Ritty Mahoney and Ken Tirado, who spearheaded the first free outdoor productions in front of Borough Hall and the Greenbelt.
Today under the artistic direction of Frank Williams, and a new galvanizing Board of Directors headed by Cara S.Liander, a momentum has been created that is propelling the theatre company towards a future of expansion and growth.
