About us
S4A is one of Hong Kong's leading English language performing arts youth charities. It is a registered charity founded in 2003 with the purpose of building Hong Kong students' self-confidence and English language fluency through performing Shakespearean plays, drama and other theatrical productions. The organisation's core values and the opportunities offered to the children and youth of Hong Kong, are aptly described by William Shakespeare's famous words, "We know what we are, but know not what we may be". Shakespearean plays were originally intended for performance and crafted for enjoyment, aligning with S4A's primary focus for our projects. S4A is unique in offering a broad range of theatrical stage experiences to help Hong Kong children from diverse backgrounds develop confidence and skills in using the English language to express their creativity. The highlight of a busy year of activities for our young actors is the spectacular Shakespeare Gala Production event, which has provided valuable and exciting drama experiences to thousands of Hong Kong students from aided, direct subsidy, government, and private schools in the region since 2003.
Official Mission
It is our mission to inspire young people to aspire to excellence
InspireOffering a learning environment that is creative, original and structured
AspireA demanding but imaginative framework that involves new thinking and disciplines
ExcellenceDrawing out the potential in students to be the best they can be
Mark Peaker
I wonder why Shakespeare remains popular. He died over four hundred years ago and lived in a world so far removed from today that should he be alive he wouldn't recognise it. But wait, I am mistaken, in fact I am wrong. The reason that Shakespeare remains so popular is because he wrote for humanity, for love, for tragedy and for comedy. Shakespeare was not of an age, but for all time.
As Chairman of Shakespeare4All I continue to be humbled by the devotion and determination of the young actors. I am proud that Shakespeare4All has been able to carry on strengthening our experiential learning outreach into the community and committed to bringing excellence.
May I take this opportunity to thank all the staff, teachers, volunteers but most importantly, the students and their families for allowing us into your lives to share our journey.
- Co-founder and CEO, 3812 Art Enterprise, Hong Kong
- Co-founder and CEO, 3812 Gallery, Hong Kong and London
- Chairman, Shakespeare4All
- Advisor to the Board, MIND HK
- Development Committee Member, Royal Drawing School, UK
- Patron, Future Talent, UK
- Founding member of SKETCH HONG KONG
- Former vice-chairman (Funding Committee), Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children
- Member, Food & Wine Committee, The Hong Kong Club (2015 - 2022)
Board Of Directors
Nicholas Beckwith
Nicholas Beckwith has been an integral part of Shakespeare4All (S4A) since 2016, contributing as a resident actor, assistant director, drama educator, and theatre project leader. Over the years, Nicholas has made significant contributions to S4A's productions, performing in key roles across a variety of shows including’ A Midsummer Night's Dream’ (2016, 2017, 2019, 2022), ‘Twelfth Night’ (2017, 2018), ‘Romeo and Juliet’ (2020, 2021), and ‘Hamlet’ (2021). His versatility is further demonstrated in performances such as ‘The Marvellous Box’ (2019), ‘Are You Asleep Yet?’ (2018), ‘Hubbub’, ‘Theatre for the Very Young’ (2017-2019, 2023), ‘Giggling is the Best Medicine’ (2021), and ‘Open Wide So I Can Look Inside’ (2021).
In addition to his on-stage talents, Nicholas has been the Head Tutor for S4A since 2019, where he notably led the ‘Transformation Through Creativity’ in-school drama project. After serving as Interim Artistic Director from July 2022 to May 2023, he was officially appointed as Artistic Director in April 2023. In this role, Nicholas has directed and led several successful projects, including the Shakespeare Monologue Competition ‘Battle of the Bards’ (2023), ‘Shakespeare In Action - King Lear’ (2023), and the S4A Gala Production, ‘A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Elements of Magic’ (2023).
His recent and upcoming projects include directing the ‘Will’s World’ Event in April 2024, an interactive exhibition in collaboration with Swire Properties at Cityplaza. He has also launched the ‘The Hong Kong Jockey Club Community Project Grant: Shakespeare Showtime English Drama Programme’ under Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust’s funding, which features a school touring show, ‘Pop Up Globe’. In July 2024, Nicholas directed ‘Shakespeare In Action - A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. Additionally, under Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust’s funding, he is excited to introduce ‘Shake Fest’ English Drama Festival, , premiering in March 2025, where the in-school drama programme ‘Spotlight Shakespeare’ will be featured. Nicholas also continues to direct the Shakespeare Monologue Competition, ‘Battle of the Bards’ (2024), and has introduced ‘Ignite the Stage’, a new drama series for both children and adults.
Originally from Christchurch, New Zealand,
Nicholas began his performing career at the age of 15. He moved to Sydney, Australia, in 2011 to pursue an Advanced Diploma in Performing Arts at ED5 INTERNATIONAL, where he received professional training across multiple disciplines, including Drama, Musical Theatre, and various dance styles. Nicholas was actively involved in several prestigious events in Sydney before moving to Tokyo in 2013 to perform with Tokyo Disney Resort's 30th-anniversary cast.
In 2014, Nicholas relocated to Hong Kong, where he has worked extensively in theatre in education, leading workshops, directing performances for schools, and collaborating with various educational centres and NGOs across Macau, Hong Kong, and Mainland China. His diverse experience also includes working on productions, TV commercials, films, events, and voice-over projects. Notable achievements include his involvement as Batman at Studio City in Macau and directing the Mercedes Benz ‘BAM Festival’ in 2019. Additionally, Nicholas co-led the SEN Choir, Voc-abilities, from 2021 until the end of 2023.
Nicholas continues to broaden his expertise and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Communication in Expressive Arts. Nicholas is also one of the 2024 cohort of the ‘HKU UBS - Sustainable and Social Innovation Leadership Programme’ and is honoured to have been selected to represent S4A in the ‘Project Fire Fellowship’ with the D.H. Chen Foundation, beginning in September 2024.
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