Samuel H. Scripps (1927-2007) was a visionary philanthropist whose passion for theater and dance profoundly shaped American culture. Born on the Scripps Ranch in San Diego, California, Sam was the grandson of Edward Willis Scripps, the renowned newspaper publisher. From an early age, Sam developed a deep love for Shakespeare, which would guide his lifelong commitment to the arts.
With his wife, Luise Elcanness Scripps (1927-2015), Sam played a pivotal role in promoting and supporting dance and theater across the United States. He began his career as a theater professional, serving as Assistant Technical Director at both the Old Globe Theater in San Diego and the Berkeley Shakespeare Festival, and as a Lighting Designer for the Riverside Shakespeare Company in New York City. He was also a major donor to The Shakespeare Center, the city’s first dedicated performance and training space for Shakespearean works.
Over the years, the SHS Foundation has been instrumental in advancing the performing arts, and continues to be a key supporter of theater and dance institutions today.
Sam’s commitment to Shakespeare was evident in his role as a board member of the Theater for a New Audience (TFANA), where the Samuel H. Scripps Mainstage is named in his honor. A key American donor to the reconstruction of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London in 1997, Sam’s impact on theater was truly global.
Luise Scripps shared her husband’s passion for the arts, particularly for dance. As a former Martha Graham dancer and the first to teach Bharatanatyam, an ancient Indian dance, in America, she made significant contributions to the promotion of Eastern arts in the West. Together, Sam and Luise founded the American Society for Eastern Arts, dedicated to bringing classical performing artists from Asia to America. In 1981, they established the Samuel H. Scripps/American Dance Award Festival Award which recognizes the achievements of modern dance choreographers.
In addition to his philanthropic work, Sam served on numerous arts boards, including the Paul Taylor Dance Company, BAM, the American Dance Festival, and the Rhinebeck Performing Arts Center. In their later years, Sam and Luise lived in Rhinebeck, New York, where they helped establish the Cocoon Theatre, a small children’s theater.
HVS is deeply honored to name our theater in Sam’s memory, in recognition of his and Luise’s lifelong enthusiasm for Shakespeare, and their devotion to the artistic community of the Hudson Valley region.