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About us

We seek to bring people together to experience stories that deepen our understanding of ourselves, each other and the world around us.

Our mission

To redefine how Shakespeare and great storytelling connects us, creates opportunities and brings joy.

 

How we do this

  • Through our creative brilliance seen in our work on stage and via new and innovative technologies, the globally-renowned artists and creatives we collaborate with, and through the work of the world’s greatest playwrights, new and old. Our house playwright Shakespeare’s restless exploration of all of human nature is always our inspiration and touchstone.
  • Though nurturing the incredible skills and talents of our theatre-makers, whether with our industry-leading in-house costume, wigs and make-up departments, our award-winning set and prop makers, our boundary-pushing music, sound, lighting and stage management teams, or in the work we do to nurture and develop those skills in the next generation of theatre-makers.
  • Through our transformative creative learning and engagement programme, which reaches over half a million young people and adults each year. Using our status as the world's first performing arts Independent Research Organisation, our work changes lives, influences policy and brings the enormous benefits of Shakespeare in education to those who may not have access to it.

Our history

Our roots lie in the bold vision of a local brewer, Edward Fordham Flower, who in 1879 established a theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon with his son Charles.

The RSC as we know it today was formed by Sir Peter Hall in 1961, whose ambition was to produce new plays alongside those of Shakespeare and his contemporaries.

We continue this today across our three permanent theatres in Stratford – the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, the Swan Theatre and The Other Place – as well as in London, digitally and around the globe.

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In This Section

Who's who

From our Board of Governors, Directors and Associate Artists, to the wider company, learn more about how the RSC is organised.

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News, Features and Updates

Keep up to date with our latest news, features, blogs and casting updates.

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How we make theatre

Our mission is to make the finest theatre productions - here's how we do it

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RSC Jobs

Because not all our best roles are on stage

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Shakespeare in Schools

Find out how we use our research to work with schools and national partners to bring the arts to all areas of education.

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Digital & Creative Innovation

Innovation is at the heart of the RSC and is critical to our cultural landscape in helping us to understand what it means to be human.

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Research

Read more about the different research programmes looking at the work of RSC Learning, including our award-winning research Time to Act.

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Policies

Links to our full range of policies covering all areas of our work, from ticketing terms and conditions to safeguarding children.

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Environmental responsibility

With over a million visitors every year, we know our work has an environmental impact. Find out about the steps we're taking to minimise this.

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History & Collections

Discover our rich history and delve into our collection - one of the most significant Shakespeare and theatre collections in the world.

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Our Impact

Find out key facts and figures about our company and our theatres in Stratford-upon-Avon

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