From Stan Hywet to Greystone, Ohio Shakes performs live professional theatre in Akron's best venues. Don't read Shakespeare--see Shakespeare LIVE.
The Ohio Shakespeare Festival regards the actors, the script, and the audience as the quintessential elements of the theatre. As a professional theatre company, we are dedicated to articulating the inherently theatrical components of Shakespeare and his fellow playwrights throughout the ages in a manner that enables the collected imaginations of the artists to meet the collective imagination of the audience in a public celebration that transforms the world in which we live.
Operating as usual
A huge shout-out to our corporate sponsor Orangetheory Fitness Akron. Our very own Prince Charming--Joe Pine--is a coach at OTF Akron. So if you want to get in shape for the ball, you can work out with the prince himself! First class is FREE to try!
Last weekend of Rodgers & Hammerstein's: Cinderella performances begins tonight!
"This is more than a show. It is a wonderful gift that parents can share with their children and lovers can share with their significant others. It is lavish in both sight and sound. This year, why not give the gift of live theater to your family." -Mark Horning, Cleveland Theater Reviews
Tomorrow begins the final weekend to catch the magic of Rodgers & Hammerstein's: Cinderella
www.ohioshakespeare.com/cinderella or 330-5-SHAKES
Full review: shorturl.at/deZ69
🎶...and because these daft and dewy-eyed dopes keep building up impossible hopes: impossible things are happening everyday! 🎶
You've not seen a Fairy Godmother this fabulous before.
ohioshakespeare.com/cinderella or 330-5-SHAKES for tix to Rodgers & Hammerstein's: Cinderella
Rodgers & Hammerstein's: Cinderella continues this weekend. The Prince Is Giving A Ball, and you don't want to miss it!
ohioshakespeare.com/cinderella or 330-5-SHAKES
$5 student tickets in the gallery at *every* performance!
One of our favorite parts about Rodgers & Hammerstein's: Cinderella is sharing the story with folks of all ages! Bring your little ones!
ohioshakespeare.com/Cinderella or 330-5-SHAKES
Today's S0LD 0UT matinee will have space available tix at the door--these will be on sale beginning at 2pm sharp!
And there are two more weekends to join us at the royal palace--every Thursday-Sunday until December 18.
ohioshakespeare.com/cinderella or 330-5-SHAKES
Happy opening night to the artists of Rodgers & Hammerstein's: Cinderella.
More magical and beautiful than last year and full of new surprises. Join us for "a lovely night" in downtown Akron.
ohioshakespeare.com/cinderella or 330-5-SHAKES
Photos from Ohio Shakespeare Festival's post
It's a lovely night to preview Rodgers & Hammerstein's: Cinderella. $15 tickets tonight only--we open tomorrow!
www.ohioshakespeare.com/cinderella or 330-5-SHAKES for tix
Our Rodgers & Hammerstein's: Cinderella is based off the Whintey Houston-produced teleplay from 1997. So we couldn't help recreate this iconic behind-the-scenes pic of Paulo Montalban and Brandy and their MacDonald's fries. (Sadly, MacDonald's is not sponsoring our show.)
We open Friday. ohioshakespeare.com/cinderella or 330-5-SHAKES for tix
Happy Small Business Saturday. In celebration, we offer our *only* yearly coupon deal. BOGO tickets for the next 24 hours!
Use code SMALLBIZ at checkout online.
Good for Rodgers & Hammerstein's: Cinderella, or future shows HAY FEVER and CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF. Not applicable to gift cards*.
We don't offer any better coupon all year!
www.ohioshakespeare.com/cinderella for tix
*Want a gift card instead? The coupon won't apply, be you can send one directly to your loved one--and even personalize the message, date, and time it is sent! www.ohioshakespeare.com/gift
Want to keep your holiday monies local this year? May we suggest a gift certificate to a future Ohio Shakes show?
Experience gifts don't collect dust, and 22 years of exceptional reviews (like this!) show you that your loved one will get a memory to keep for life.
Gift certificates are non expiring and good for any $ amount you choose.
Call 330-5-SHAKES or visit www.ohioshakespeare.com/gift
What's impossible becomes possible, onstage this December at Rodgers & Hammerstein's: Cinderella
www.ohioshakespeare.com/cinderella or 330-5-SHAKES for tix
A excellent holiday outing for the entire family!
Did you know that Rodgers & Hammerstein's: Cinderella was originally a made-for-TV movie in 1957? 40 years later, Whitney Houston produced (what we believe is) the most beautiful and timeless rendition of them all, making CINDERELLA a story for everyone.
Catch it live in December. Tickets on sale now.
www.ohioshakespeare.com/cinderella or 330-5-SHAKES
Meet the artists who make Rodgers & Hammerstein's: Cinderella possible. Digital program here: https://www.ohioshakespeare.com/programs
Then come celebrate their work with us this December. Bring the whole family to this magical musical!
ohioshakespeare.com/cinderella or 330-5-SHAKES for tickets
Critics and audiences LOVED Rodgers & Hammerstein's: Cinderella last year. And this year, we promise it's even bigger and better!
Did you see it last year? What did you love?
Get those tickets soon: www.ohioshakespeare.com/cinderella or 330-5-SHAKES
Rodgers & Hammerstein's: Cinderella opens in Akron on December 1.
Lovingly nicknamed Cindrella 2.0 at rehearsals, this production promises to be even more magical than last year.
Enjoy the Flat Egg Productions trailer from 2021, and get those tickets before they are gone.
ohioshakespeare.com/cinderella or 330-5-SHAKES
For those who didn't hear yet...we proudly announce our "mini" season*.
Noël Coward's HAYFEVER, March 9 - 26 2023
Like the Rose family from SCHITT'S CREEK? Meet their original, English counterparts: The Bliss Family.
CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF by Tennessee Williams, April 27 - May 14
The Pulitzer Prize winning masterpiece graces the Henry C. Bishop stage this spring.
Tickets on sale now at ohioshakespeare.com or 330-5-SHAKES
*COVID has prevented us from announce full subscriptions series for years now, but with the completion of these two titles, we will be back on track to announce a full season in March of 2023.
Dracula (a charity reading) is a great way to spend this spookiest of evenings. Tonight only! Grab your favorite drink from the bar, and let us spook you old-fashioned style with this live radio-play reading with soundscapes that will make your skin crawl.
Only $15, which includes your donation to the American Red Cross.
Thanks and ever thanks to the artists that made DRACULA possible.
www.ohioshakespeare.com/dracula-charity for tix
We all have Halloween weekend plans already, but what are you doing on *the* night of All Hallow's Eve, when the veil is at its thinnest?
Celebrate in spooky style with us at Dracula (a charity reading). $10-$15 tickets include a donation to our local blood banks.
ohioshakespeare.com/dracula-charity for tix
The Sleepy Hollow Masquerade was a frightfully fun night! Thank you so much to all who attended, donated, volunteered, and made the night such a success. The pandemic hit live theatres hard, and this event truly helps up keep-on-keeping-on.
Costumes were on-point.
Attendees should check their emails--your photo booth pictures are there! Don't see you email? Just shoot us a message and we will resend.
Dracula (a charity reading) will perform one night only, on All Hallow's Eve. Your ticket includes a donation to our local blood banks.
$15 ($10 students). Join us, but BYOGarlic.
ohioshakespeare.com/dracula-charity
(teaser trailer from 2018)
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is a hit with audiences and critics alike. Bring the whole family, but get your tickets now. This final weekend is nearly s0ld 0ut!
Tickets at ohioshakespeare.com/hollow or 330-5-SHAKES
Howey's review: https://www.clevescene.com/arts/the-legend-of-sleepy-hollow-at-the-ohio-shakespeare-festival-is-a-kid-friendly-musical-done-the-right-way-40623142
Thanks to Kerry Clawson, Akron Beacon Journal for a wonderful review of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. This weekend's spooky entertainment resumes tonight...and get those tickets soon.
Kerry's full review: https://bit.ly/3EEriah (click to read--your clicks help keep critics writing and supporting local theatre!)
Tickets at: ohioshakespeare.com/hollow or 330-5-SHAKES
We are unhappy to say that tonight's (Thursday 10/13) performance of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is cancelled due to a COVID infection and to provide a safe amount of time for our understudy to rehearse.
Tomorrow's performance, and the rest of the weekend, will go on as scheduled.
Affected customers can email [email protected] or call him at 330-5-SHAKES to receive a free reschedule, a nonexpiring gift card at 150% value of your ticket, or a refund. Instructions are also in your inboxes.
Thanks for continuing to support live theatre in this brave new world.
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow has deep roots in Americana literature--check out this CBS mini-doc on the haunting roots of the Headless Horseman. Then join us to see him live in Akron.
Tickets at ohioshakespeare.com/hollow or 330-5-SHAKES
"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," first published 200 years ago by Washington Irving, is still one of America's all-time great ghost stories. Two centuries late...
Today's performance of THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW is sold out. Don't wait to secure your tickets. We perform through October 23rd.
ohioshakespeare.com/hollow or 330-5-SHAKES
Happiest of opening weekends to The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Bring the whole family to this spooky Halloween show.
Production photos by Scott Custer.
Tickets at ohioshakespeare.com/hollow or 330-5-Ohio Shakespeare Festival
$5 student tickets available EVERY night.
Photos from Ohio Shakespeare Festival's post
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow opens FRIDAY.
The Sleepy Hollow Masquerade is in less than two weeks.
Pay What You Will Sunday (Oct 9) is nearly sold out.
Don't wait to secure your tickets to this spooky show, *just* scary enough for the family to enjoy together 😱
Meet the cast & crew of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow here: https://express.adobe.com/page/IVucYctamOSK7/
Then join us this October for some family-friendly scares.
Tix at ohioshakespeare.com/hollow or 330-5-SHAKES
There's no party like the Van Tassel Halloween party. Experience it yourself at The Sleepy Hollow Masquerade on October 15.
Everything you'd want in a Halloween party, plus a whole show.
ohioshakespeare.com/hollow-masque
"With a hip-hip and a clippity-clop/
He's out looking for a top to chop!"
Who doesn't love Disney's Bing Crosby SLEEPY HOLLOW?
Catch our version for another ghost story, with music.
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow opens October 7
ohioshakespeare.com/hollow
Goodbye hot Shakespeare summer. Hello spooky horseman fall.
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow opens Oct 7, but it's not too early to get your tix...
Mega-Halloween-Fan? Join us for The Sleepy Hollow Masquerade on October 15.
ohioshakespeare.com/hollow
Throw salt over your left shoulder. Avoid the black cat. Never walk under a ladder. Just a few tips you'll pick up in THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW.
ohioshakespeare.com/hollow
We've all heard of the Headless Horseman. But which one is your favorite version? Comment below (gifs encouraged!)
Then get ready for a new favorite when you see our The Legend of Sleepy Hollow this Halloween.
ohioshakespeare.com/hollow for tix
The Yeet-less Horseman rides in Akron October 7-23.
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is a spooktacular show that is just thrilling enough for the whole family to enjoy together.
www.ohioshakespeare.com/hollow for tix.
https://www.redbubble.com/i/mug/Yeetless-Horseman-by-dunnzurng/87594681.9Q0AD for the awesome mug
Spooky season is coming...come work on your headless vibe with us at The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Oct 6 - 23.
From the writing team who brought you Ohio Shakes horror originals DRACULA and FRANKENSTEIN.
ohioshakespeare.com/hollow or 330-5-SHAKES
This merry band met doing MIDSUMMER with us in 2021. (If you love our Greenshows you'll recognize all four folks.)
Today, they released their first album as The Rude Sea: Come Away. All songs inspired by Shakespeare characters. We absolutely love it.
Give it a listen anywhere you stream your music. Be sure to support them if you like what you hear via Venmo () and a like on Facebook or Insta.
Listen now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydR5AdW2uGY&list=OLAK5uy_nHRK27gNLDI0Fd8rNI_r1PGdBECV-caZA
103 S High Street
Akron, OH
44308
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"With a hip-hip and a clippity-clop/ He's out looking for a top to chop!" Who doesn't love Disney's Bing Crosby SLEEPY HOLLOW? Catch our version for another ghost story, with music. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow opens October 7 ohioshakespeare.com/hollow
Goodbye hot Shakespeare summer. Hello spooky horseman fall. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow opens Oct 7, but it's not too early to get your tix... Mega-Halloween-Fan? Join us for The Sleepy Hollow Masquerade on October 15. ohioshakespeare.com/hollow #ohioshakesHOLLOW
We've all heard of the Headless Horseman. But which one is your favorite version? Comment below (gifs encouraged!) Then get ready for a new favorite when you see our The Legend of Sleepy Hollow this Halloween. ohioshakespeare.com/hollow for tix #ohioshakesHOLLOW
We highly recommend not pissing off Katarina by missing the final weekend of SHREW. (Petruchio, too, actually.) ohioshakespeare.com/shrew or 330-5-SHAKES
We know the weather prediction looks iffy tonight. Here's a reminder of our rain policy! -We won't cancel in advance due to weather predictions. -If the weather is dangerous or it's a true downpour at show time, we will cancel. -If it is only raining, we will perform. -Whether or not we cancel, if you have tickets to a rained-on show, you are welcome to reschedule those tix for free for any other performance in the 2022 season. -A clarification: we can't reschedule rain tickets in advance--give the box office a call or email [email protected] *after* the rain event and we will happily help you out. -Please reschedule rain tickets within 30 days of your rained out event. https://www.ohioshakespearefestival.com/faq-1
Tonight only is FREE STUDENT NIGHT for TAMING OF THE SHREW! Free tix for students and under 18s. Reserve your tix (both student and adult) in advance or take your chances at the door. (Under 18s do not need an ID. College students do.) ohioshakespeare.com/shrew or 330-5-SHAKES
The Taming of the Shrew previews tonight and opens tomorrow. Don't miss this lovely evening "one night out under the stars..." Gorgeous trailer by Flat Egg Productions Tickets at ohioshakespeare.com/shrew
The Taming of the Shrew previews tonight and opens tomorrow! Enjoy the trailer by Flat Egg Productions (this one is best with the sound ON!). Then get those tix: ohioshakespeare.com/shrew
Sound on for your #momentofzen zen. Last night during trailer filming, our rehearsal was cut short by the rain! But Flat Egg Productions caught this rare quiet moment on the outdoor stage. Beautiful! Good news is the weather looks to be on our side for the rest of opening weekend of THE TAMING OF THE SHREW. Get those tickets! www.ohioshakespeare.com/shrew or 330-5-SHAKES
Preview Night: July 7, $15 tickets Pay What You Will: July 10, any $ gets you in Free Student Night: July 14, students + under 18s free www.ohioshakespeare.com/shrew or 330-5-SHAKES for tix
The Importance of Being Earnest performs three more times. Tickets are on the move for this final weekend. Don't wait to get yours. ohioshakespeare.com/earnest or 330-5-SHAKES for tix (Quote from Kerry Clawson, Akron Beacon Journal, article here: https://yhoo.it/3NbzVtN)
"Take a wonderful story with comedic overtones, add extraordinary actors on a well appointed stage with exquisite period costumes with a surprise ending and you have the formula for an extremely entertaining evening of great theater. This show is worth the drive to Akron. Huzzah!" -Mark Horning, Cleveland Theater Reviews and Chagrin Valley Times The Importance of Being Earnest performs until May 15. ohioshakespeare.com/earnest or 330-5-SHAKES Full review: https://misterh215.wixsite.com/mysite/single-post/ohio-shakespeare-festival-s-the-importance-of-being-ernest-is-a-farcical-delight Photo by Scott Custer
Sound on for the The Importance of Being Earnest trailer by Flat Egg Productions. Bridgerton-style-cover-music done by company member Evan Wilhelms. We open FRIDAY. ($15 preview night tickets for Thursday only!) ohioshakespeare.com/earnest of 330-5-SHAKES
You didn't know?! Reduced ticket prices for EARNEST on: Preview Night ($15) Pay What You Will (any price) Every day for students ($5 in the gallery) ohioshakespeare.com/earnest or 330-5-SHAKES
"In matters of grave importance, style, not sincerity, is the vital thing." - The Importance of Being Earnest ohioshakespeare.com/earnest or 330-5-SHAKES Come see this Bridgerton-before-Bridgerton.
If you know, you know. Join us for The Importance of Being Earnest beginning April 28. ohioshakespeare.com/earnest or 330-5-SHAKES for tickets. $5 student tickets in the gallery for EVERY performance! #ohioshakesEARNEST
Hey Ohio Shakes members...check your emails. You have a you-heard-it-here-first announcement in there. Want to become an Ohio Shakes member? https://www.ohioshakespeare.com/memberships
ALL MY SONS previews tonight ($15 tickets!) and opens tomorrow. You'll be struck by the beauty of the set, the costumes, the text, and of course, the acting. ohioshakespeare.com/sons or 330-5-SHAKES Thanks to Flat Egg Productions (www.flateggproductions) for the beautiful trailer.
The cast and crew reacting to the finished set for All My Sons. A video secretly shot by our set designer and production manager, Natalie Steen. Want to see what they are seeing? Join us beginning Thursday for $15 Preview night, then Friday for opening. https://www.ohioshakespeare.com/sons or 330-5-SHAKES
ALL MY SONS opens next weekend. At points heartwarming and heartbreaking, this is an Arthur Miller production not to be missed. https://www.ohioshakespeare.com/sons
The 2022 Season Announcement More info at https://www.ohioshakespeare.com *** While our seasons used to span Summer - Spring, we are now transitioning into a calendar year rotation. Each new season will begin with the new year. In this transition year, you'll notice some titles that you already knew about, and some that are new and exciting. And learn more about our new membership program! www.ohioshakespeare.com/memberships Special thanks to Special thanks to Norman Mallard for title artwork, Scott Custer for photography, and our volunteer models from the 2019 photoshoot.
TONIGHT. 8pm. The 2022 Season Announcement.
BY TESS BURGLER ADAPTED FROM THE SHORT STORY BY GUY DE MAUPASSANT TUNE IN 7PM EST, FEB 26 “She was one of those pretty and charming girls born, as though fate had blundered over her, into a family of artisans…She suffered endlessly, feeling herself born for every delicacy and luxury. Jealousy and vanity lead to an unforgettable twist ending in this Victorian gothic drama. Tune in for a live—and free—radio play streaming on Facebook. Don’t have time to catch it live? Enjoy it as a podcast! Listen anytime you’d like after it airs on our Soundcloud page; or stream directly from YouTube.
TONIGHT! Listen live for our newest radio play. 7PM EST. "See" you there! (Can't listen live? It will live on our website, youtube channel, and soundcloud afterward for listening anytime!)
*Sound on* for this teaser of our newest radio play, live-streaming here this Saturday, 7pm EST. THE NECKLACE by Tess Burgler Adapted from the story by Guy de Maupassant Jealousy and vanity lead to an unforgettable twist ending in this Victorian(ish) gothic drama. Tune in for a livestreamed—and free—radio play on our page. Don’t have time to catch it live? Enjoy it as a podcast! Listen anytime you’d like after it airs on our Soundcloud page; or stream directly from YouTube.
Thanks so much to Flat Egg Productions, our favorite video producer, for creating the Rodgers & Hammerstein's CINDERELLA trailer. Happy opening night to the cast and crew who have worked so hard to bring the magical musical to life! Tickets on sale at www.ohioshakespeare.com/cinderella or 330-5-SHAKES.
We get some *serious* nostalgic feels when watching this medley, celebrating the release of the 1997 Brandy CINDERELLA on Disney+. Come see our very own version of Rodgers & Hammerstein's classic starting December 2. (Spoiler alert: plenty of easter eggs to find if you know and love the 1997 teleplay!) #ohioshakes #ohioshakesCINDERELLA tix at ohioshakespeare.com
"Impossible things are happening everyday..." CINDERELLA opens December 2 ohioshakespeare.com/cinderella or 330-5-SHAKES
Only two more chances to see Miss Holmes crack the case. Join us tonight or tomorrow afternoon--tickets are limited! https://www.ohioshakespere.com/miss-holmes or 330-5-SHAKES
Read the Miss Holmes review in the Akron Beacon Journal and join us for a mystery in Akron tonight. Full review: https://bit.ly/3BTnRZa Tickets: https://www.ohioshakespeare.com/miss-holmes
Don’t read Shakespeare. See Shakespeare LIVE.
OUR MISSION
The Ohio Shakespeare Festival regards the actors, the script, and the audience as the quintessential elements of the theatre. As a professional theatre company, we are dedicated to articulating the inherently theatrical components of Shakespeare and his fellow playwrights throughout the ages in a manner that enables the collected imaginations of the artists to meet the collective imagination of the audience in a public celebration that transforms the world in which we live.
For 17 years, Ohio Shakes has performed professional, accessible, and exciting Shakespeare outdoors at historic Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens. In 2016, we added an indoor stage at beautiful Greystone Hall in the heart of Downtown Akron. Between our indoor and outdoor stages, we bring to life Shakespeare, his contemporaries, and classic musicals year-round in Akron, Ohio.
We are a company model, which means that many of our performers have been working together for a decade or more. The relationships we cultivate with one another enhance and inform our performances and our relationship with the audience at large. A number of our performers are also “actor-managers,” taking on other duties to improve the quality of the theatre. For example, our resident actor-manger Joe Pine also serves as our in-house Technical Director. When he is performing as Romeo, he is also spending his days building the sets (outdoors and indoors). Ryan Zarecki is a leading actor with the company who also choreographs all our stage combat, and he also serves as Properties Master. Tess Burgler manages media content, administrative work, and more throughout the year while also acting in the shows. These are just three examples of our 12 actor-managers. This actor-manager model allows our employees to become more invested in our art on multiple levels, which in turn makes the art even more meaningful and thoughtful. (Plus, it’s not dissimilar to the way Shakespeare’s original company of actors produced their shows!)
We believe in the vibrancy and immediacy of Shakespeare and other classic plays/playwrights. We are known for exciting and daring live stage combat, acrobatic dancing, rowdy and lively Greenshow (pre-show) performances, and a direct approach to classic language that helps the words become clear and relevant. Our shows are briskly paced but easily understood.
Above all, we respect the work of the playwright. We do not impose concepts or new themes onto our productions, but instead, we serve as the vehicle to tell the author’s story as clearly as possible.
New World Performance Laboratory
South Balch StreetThe University of Akron School of Dance, Thea
University Avenue
New World Performance Laboratory
South Balch Street
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Brown Street