Founded in 1991, SGCNZ is celebrating its 30th Anniversary throughout 2021! Since then over 122,000 students have been its annual SGCNZ University of Otago Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festivals and another 5000 involved in our allied arts Competitions and programmes for primary school age students, teachers, mid-career actors, seminars, events and other activities for Shakespeare devotees.
SGCNZ's principal objective is being a life skills enhancing organisation through Shakespeare. The professional and personal skills gained are transferable into any workplace or field of endeavour. Collaboration, creativity, close reading and innovation are among these. Embracing of the polyglot of ethnicities and cultural diversity of which NZ’s population comprises, we provide many opportunities for inclusivity and integration socially. Developing self-confidence and pride in their own and each other's achievements, helps the young people address over-present health, anxiety and emotional issues. Developing new ‘whanau’ with similar interests, results in many pan-year collaborations of our Alumni.
SGCNZ’s participation in The Performance Arcade’s What if the City was a Theatre, with its series of ten pop-up Shakespeare performances entitled Will on Cue throughout February, is the first its year of 30th Anniversary celebrations.