Kentucky Shakespeare Festival

Free outdoor theater spectacular!I have seen several shows here...Midsummer Night's Dream. Taming of the Shrew. Macbeth. Romeo and Juliet (really...my least favorite Shakespeare...). And soon Winter's Tale.One of the longest running FREE Shakespeare festivals in the country. And it is fantastic!You can bring your own picnic with you and food to munch on, or there are usually several food trucks there. They have a small concessions and drink stand to keep you lubricated.And the productions are high quality. Everything I have seen has been fantastic! (Even R+J....I just don't like Romeo and Juliet.) I can't wait until my next visit! And you should visit too!

The Kentucky Shakespeare Festival is an awesome, FREE event that happens in Central Park every summer. They have a new season each year that'll include about 4 different Shakespeare classics. As big theatre nerds, this is such a blast for us. It's so much fun to bring some chairs/blankets, and just camp out while enjoying the show. These performances are also very well put together, and have professional actors that take the stage. If you're looking for food/drinks, they've got you covered also. There are usually a couple food trucks that'll be serving stuff to munch on during the show. This is always on my "To-Do List" every summer!

Your first reaction might be, "Shakespeare? Really?" Trust me. That was mine as well. I can honestly say, though, that I have enjoyed every performance by this group of talented actors! Their traveling performances early in the summer are delightful and a good way to get introduced to Kentucky Shakespeare. The plays in Central Park are fabulous! I always enjoy the pre-shows as well where talented dancers, singers, and actors perform. The Shakespeare plays are so much more entertaining than the dry books some had to read in high school. You will be engaged the whole time! Just a few items to note: food trucks are available, indoor bathrooms are available, a collection is taken at intermission, and street parking is available. Try it and enjoy!!

Went for a free performance of Much Ado About Nothing and absolutely loved it! The setting, in the park, in the evening is just what I've come to expect from a Summer Shakespeare Festival and this one did not disappoint! I'm looking forward to making this an annual summer tradition!

What happens when you round up a group of young local talent, stuff them into period costumes, and gallivant in a park in 90+ degree weather?Kentucky Shakespeare Festival. It's hit or miss every year. Some years, it's been fantastic. I can recall a couple of years when I was tempted to rush the stage and encourage an impromptu karaoke event to save the actors the embarrassment of their performance.Either way, it's Shakespeare in the Park, Kentucky style and I kinda miss it!

Kentucky Shakespeare is the longest running free Shakespeare program in the country. Every production is a delight and the company a regional treasure. Bravo and brava to the entire cast and crew. #keepwillfree

Oldest, longest running, free, professionalThose are the words they use to describe themselves and they're something to see. I have been going every summer since I've moved to Kentucky and I have always been impressed with the productions and the enthusiasm of the community surrounding it. I am by no means an expert in theater but I studied Shakespeare at university and they do an excellent job of staying true to the texts and stories. One of the best things about the Festival isn't just the Shakespeare but the educational programs surrounding it. They have camps for children of all sages and you can see the fruits of that labor in the pre-shows they have where the children present what they've learned. They also have other community groups that focus on forming arts before the shows. Each performance is difference. A newer addition is also food trucks, check their webpage to see which food truck will be there when.

TWELFTH NIGHT! Lots of greats! Great performances! Great director! Great theatre! Great evening enjoyment! Come and partake of all these greats .....until Jan 10 .....don't miss it!

Ky Shakes went through a rough patch in recent years, but it was apparent during the 2014 summer season that the tide has turned. Under the enthusiastic direction of Matt Wallace, improvements have been made in the lighting and sound systems, and seating is currently being upgraded for the 2015 season. Productions now make extensive use of local talent, food trucks offer a variety of options and casual, relaxed crowds have been breaking attendance records. This Louisville tradition is getting better all the time.