About us

Festival Theatre Ensemble (FTE), founded in 1994 by Artistic Director Bruce W. De Les Dernier, is dedicated to the production of classical theatre and the creation of stage adaptations of classic novels, legends, and fairy tales. The initial three-show season was created largely for touring, much as in the sixteenth century, when acting troupes had no theaters of their own, but would travel from village to village, using whatever stage was available. Festival Theatre Ensemble has traveled far and wide to bring Shakespeare to various communities in northern and central California, finally settling into a permanent home in the historic town of Los Gatos with the founding of the Los Gatos Shakespeare Festival performing under the stars each summer in Oak Meadow Park. FTE is actively seeking indoor venues in the area to fulfill their goal of offering high quality theatre year-round.

In addition to its main-stage festival performances, Festival Theatre Ensemble performs interactive theatre for school-aged children with their productions of The Shakespeare Connection: Monsters and Clowns, tailored for grades K-6. These performances are available throughout the South Bay and Peninsula.

Festival Theatre Ensemble is a Public Benefit Corporation, Tax ID#77-0534151.