The Festival is committed to providing rich learning experiences for our community. Let us familiarize you with the artistry and humanity of Shakespeare through our educational outreach experiences.
July 12th (SOLD OUT!), 23rd, and 26th at 10:00 a.m.
Join us for a magical frolic through A Midsummer Night’s Dream - one of Shakespeare’s most delightful plays. Our 45-minute version is geared toward children and those young at heart. If you like, stay after the performance and meet the actors. Shakespeare Alive! is FREE to all. Call (309) 438-8974 to reserve your seats today! Tickets are going fast.
Want a personal performance? Shakespeare Alive! is available to tour, call (309) 438-8974 for more information.
New day added! July 21st is on sale now!! 14 slots left!
June 23rd (SOLD OUT!)
Join The Viola Project in the Center for the Performing Arts building at Illinois State Univeristy from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m as they explore the magical world of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Exclusively for girls between the ages of 8 and 18, students will create larger-than-life characters through movement and voice, rehearse scenes, and perform a ten-minute version of the play; a play complete with powerful love potions, mistaken identities and a play-within-a play, all in this one-day workshop! Four lovers, two fairy monarchs, six bad actors, and one man with a donkey head—it’s the perfect way to celebrate summer. Tickets available at $55 each! For tickets call the box office at (309) 438-2535.
The Viola Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering young women through the understanding and performance of Shakespeare's plays. They provide a space where gender, race, and age pose no obstacles, where girls can be whoever they want to be. Even Hamlet! Since 2004, The Viola Project has been offering workshops for girls between the ages of 8 and 18. With topics ranging from The Play's The Thing (Hamlet) to A Merry War (Much Ado About Nothing) and the Sonnet Slam to Heroines!, The Viola Project students learn that Shakespeare is fun by getting out of their chairs, onto their feet, and discovering for themselves the joy of complex characters and language. To find out more about The Viola Project, check out thier website www.violaproject.com. To purchase a ticket for July 21st call the box office at (309) 438-2535.
New to Shakespeare or just want to know more about what you are going to see? Join us one hour before the show for our 15 minute “Pre-Show Talk” where one of our company members will divulge interesting facts about the play and production to those present. Free to attend!
You have seen the show, experienced the thrill, now talk one on one with the actors from the performance! Stay after The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) on July 23rd, Titus Andronicus on July 29th, and Taming of the Shrew on August 5th to chat with the performers appearing those nights. Special appearances by Deb Alley, Artistic Director of the Festival.