“This company has the gift of Shakespearean tongue, a wonderful interactive camaraderie, significant theatrical skills and a gem of a director.” The North Coast Journal

Festival Theatre Ensemble, founded in 1994 by Artistic Director Bruce W. De Les Dernier, is devoted to the production of classical theatre and the creation of stage adaptations of classic novels, legends, and fairy tales. FTE has traveled afar to bring Shakespeare to various communities in northern and central California, finally settling in 2002 to launch The Los Gatos Shakespeare Festival performing under the stars in Oak Meadow Park. FTE is actively seeking indoor venues in the area to enable them to provide classical theatre year-round.

FTE provides interactive school assemblies of The Shakespeare Connection, for grades K-6, available to schools throughout the South Bay and Peninsula.

Actors and directors from FTE also lead Camp Shakespeare, a two week camp for 8 to 12 yr. olds on the main Festival stage