How Shakespeare Saved My Life
WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY JACOB MING-TRENT
DIRECTED BY TONY TACCONE
A CO-PRODUCTION WITH FOLGER THEATRE AND RED BULL THEATER
WORLD PREMIERE
PEET’S THEATRE
JAN 23–MAR 1, 2026
SINGLE TICKETS ON SALE JUL 16
“America tried to take my life, and somehow a five-hundred-year-old white dude saved it.”
In an autobiographical and music-filled tour-de-force, award-winning performer Jacob Ming-Trent dares to rescue himself from the “slings and arrows” of his past. Born with a gift for poetry but rejected as unfit to play the poet, his search for home yields results both hilarious and tragic. Invoking artistic geniuses like Biggie, Tupac, and Basquiat, he takes us on a propulsive ride that reaffirms the power of language and music. Directed by Tony Taccone, How Shakespeare Saved My Life begins with the Bard but becomes a ritual of communal salvation.
Closed captioning 
Closed captioning on your smartphone is available for the following performances: evenings Jan 29 and 30, Feb 1, 3, and 4; and every matinee through Feb 26. See all closed captioning performances.
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Events and extras
Postshow discussions
Join us after the show on Feb 6, Feb 12, and Feb 17 for a postshow discussion, expertly guided by members of Berkeley Rep’s artistic team.
Docent-led postshow discussions
Join your fellow audience members after all matinees for a thought-provoking postshow discussion led by our knowledgeable docents.
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Health and safety
Masks will be required in our theatres on select Sunday and Tuesday performances: Jan 25, Feb 1 (matinee and evening), Feb 3, and Feb 8 (matinee). See all masks required performances. Masks are encouraged but will be optional for all other performances.
Visit our health and safety page for full details
Season presenting sponsor
Season sponsor
