The Illinois Shakespeare Festival's 2023 Season

The Illinois Shakespeare Festival's 2024 season has been announced!

Twelfth Night

Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen

Macbeth

More information coming soon

Buy Tickets

View 2023 Season program

• 

  The Comedy of Errors

  by William Shakespeare
  

  Directed by Doug Finlayson
  

  One of Shakespeare’s earliest works, The Comedy of Errors is a farcical tale of separated twins and mistaken identities. This comedic romp is a Festival favorite that includes madcap bawdiness, love at first sight, unexpected reunions, and happily-ever-afters.

  View The Comedy of Errors Major Characters Cheat Sheet

  Preview:
  Friday, June 23 at 8 p.m.

  Performances:
  Saturday, June 24 at 8 p.m.
  Sunday, June 25 at 7:30 p.m.
  
  Friday, July 7 at 8 p.m.
  Tuesday, July 18 at 7:30 p.m.
  Saturday, July 22 at 8 p.m.
  Tuesday, July 25 at 7:30 p.m.
  Wednesday, July 26 at 7:30 p.m.
  Friday, July 28 at 8 p.m.
  
  Wednesday, August 2 at 7:30 p.m.
  Saturday August 5 at 8 p.m.
  
  Ewing Theatre

• 

  The Book of Will

  by Lauren Gunderson
  

  Directed by Lori Adams
  

  Gunderson’s award-winning The Book of Will asks the audience to consider a literary world without Shakespeare’s First Folio and the iconic characters contained therein. The First Folio was printed in 1623 and compiled by actors Henry Condell and John Heminges, who banded together to beg, borrow, and align themselves with unsavory publishers to save their friend’s work. Set amid the noise and color of 1620s London, The Book of Will presents a story of love, loss, and laughter.
  
  THE BOOK OF WILL is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York.
  

  The Book of Will is made possible, in part, through generous underwriting support from Ann Durand and Sue Silvey.

  View The Book of Will Major Characters Cheat Sheet

  Preview:
  Friday, June 30 at 8 p.m.

  Performances:
  Saturday, July 1 at 8 p.m.
  Saturday, July 8 at 8 p.m.
  Wednesday, July 19 at 7:30 p.m.
  Thursday, July 20 at 7:30 p.m.
  Sunday, July 23 at 7:30 p.m.
  Saturday, July 29 at 8 p.m.

  Friday, August 4 at 8 p.m.

  Ewing Theatre

• 

  The Tempest

  by William Shakespeare

  Directed by Chris Anthony
  

  A perfect example of Shakespeare’s latter plays, The Tempest is a mix of comedy, revenge, and power dynamics placed within a magical world that explores forgiveness, reconciliation, regret, and of course above all, love.

  View The Tempest Major Characters Cheat Sheet

  Preview:
  Friday, July 14 at 8 p.m.

  Performances:
  Saturday, July 15 at 8 p.m.
  Sunday, July 16 at 7:30 p.m.
  Friday, July 21 at 8 p.m.
  Thursday, July 27 at 7:30 p.m.
  Sunday, July 30  at 7:30 p.m.

  Tuesday, August 1 at 7:30 p.m.
  Thursday, August 3 at 7:30 p.m.

  Ewing Theatre

• 

  Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA)

  Toss Me a Tempest
  

  by Nancy Steele Brokaw

  Directed by Lori Adams

  
  Illinois Shakespeare Festival’s 40-minute TYA show is perfect for the whole family. Everyone is welcome, and admission is free! 

  Come see Toss Me a Tempest and meet Prospero, William Shakespeare’s greatest magician.  Help him conjure a storm so fierce it’s called a tempest.  Watch as that tempest tosses Prospero’s enemies onto an island where he’s been exiled with his daughter and two magical spirits.  

  What happens when you can finally take your revenge?  Should it be swift and terrible?  Or should you, just maybe, pause and consider mercy?  All eyes on you, Prospero. 

  
  Performances: 
  Saturday, July 1 at 10 a.m.
  Thursday, July 6 at 10 a.m.
  Saturday, July 8 at 10 a.m.
  Thursday, July 13 at 10 a.m.
  Saturday, July 15 at 10 a.m.
  Thursday, July 20 at 10 a.m.
  Saturday, July 22 at 10 a.m.
  Thursday, July 27 at 10 a.m.
  Saturday, July 29 at 10 a.m. 

  Thursday, August 3 at 10 a.m.
  Saturday, August 5 at 10 a.m.

  Ewing Cultural Center Grounds 

  
  Traveling performances:

  Tuesday, July 11 at 10 a.m.  
  Connie Link Amphitheatre
  621 S. Linden St., Normal, IL  

  Wednesday, July 19 at 12 p.m.
  Town of Leroy 
  Kiwanis Park, 101 W. Center St., Leroy, IL

  Friday, July 21 at 10 a.m.  
  Normal Public Library @ Anderson Park   
  503 E. College Av., Normal        

  Tuesday, July 25 at 10 a.m.  
  Connie Link Amphitheatre 
  621 S. Linden St., Normal, IL

  Wednesday, July 26 at 2 p.m. + workshop  
  Nitsch Theatre Arts Center for Creativity
  2442 Centennial Drive, Washington, IL

  Tuesday, August 1 at 1:30 p.m.  
  Holiday Park  
  800 McGregor St., Bloomington, IL 

• John C. Stark, artistic director
  Ann Haugo, producer
  Derek R. Munson, managing director
  Lauren Palmer, finance and communications manager