Kentucky Shakespeare Festival
Performing ArtsKentucky, United States11-50 Employees
Kentucky Shakespeare Festival is a performing arts organization based in Louisville, Kentucky, that uses the works of Shakespeare to provide free, professional theatre experiences in Central Park during June and July. Its mission centers on making art accessible to broad audiences, offering educational programming and community engagement through performances that aim to educate, inspire, and entertain people of all ages. The company serves a diverse audience including families and students, and engages in extensive education outreach such as summer camps for 5-18 year olds, teacher professional development, and K-12 outreach that spans all Kentucky counties and nearby states. In addition to its annual free festival, the organization operates an ongoing program portfolio that includes a prison outreach initiative and community partnerships; it is noted as the oldest free, professional, independently-operating Shakespeare Festival in North America. The festival grounds at the C. Douglas Ramey Amphitheatre in Old Louisville, a venue that accommodates a large audience and is wheelchair accessible, reflecting the organization’s emphasis on inclusive access to theatre.