Shakespeare in the Park, Milwaukee

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Shakespeare in the Park, Milwaukee

Welcome to Milwaukee’s Shakespeare in the Park! Since 2010, our annual summer production is presen

Milwaukee’s Free Shakespeare in the Park debuted in 2010 with a critically acclaimed production of “The Tempest” starring Milwaukee theatre luminaries James Pickering and Angela Iannone as Prospero and Ariel. Our parks have shifted over the years but Shakespeare in the Park has become a beloved annual summer tradition for Milwaukee friends, families and visitors from near and far wherever we gather.

08/16/2026

Happy , friends!

Today is the FINAL SHOW of our 2026 season. Join us at SitP: Schauer Arts Center in Hartford.

Full details on this new site for us are available on the location page: https://www.optimisttheatre.org/schauersitp2026.html

08/15/2026

We had an INCREDIBLE season at our Milwaukee Milwaukee County Parks locations and Wisconsin Lutheran College this year. Thank you!!
ICYMI or are closer to Hartford, you have one more chance to see us. Just at the Schauer Arts Center for the SitP: Schauer Arts Center tomorrow! The local masons will holding a Brat Fry and there will be a full bar for purchasing refreshments (no outside alcohol allowed in)

08/09/2026

Important Weather Update for today's

Due to rain, today's 2:00 PM performance of Richard III has been delayed until 3:00 PM.

The 5:00 PM performance of The Merry Wives of Windsor is still scheduled to take place as planned.

Please continue to monitor this page and our website for any additional updates. We are dedicated to presenting this wonderful production of Richard III for its final Milwaukee-area Shakespeare in the Park performance and appreciate your patience and support as we work with the weather.

SitP: Wisconsin Ave Park

08/06/2026

We're back for more Shakespeare in the Park this weekend with SitP: Kern Park and SitP: Wisconsin Ave Park! Lets meet another cast member! Finishing our mighty four (alphabetically 😀) is
Annalyse Lapajenko!*

From Annalyse's bio:
Long-time fan, first-time player! Annalyse Lapajenko is delighted to be making their Optimist Theatre debut. Favorite previous Shakespearean credits include Celia (AS YOU LIKE IT), Cassius, Calphurnia (JULIUS CAESAR), Lady Macbeth (MACBETH), Benedick, Beatrice (MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING) and Viola (TWELFTH NIGHT). Annalyse was also fortunate enough to work with the incredible members of The Shakespeare Institute in Stratford-upon-Avon as a dramaturg, text coach, and intimacy coordinator. In the rare moments when not teaching/performing/talking about Shakespeare, you can find them furiously inventing new cake combinations or working with animals over at the Humane Society. Special thanks and extra love to Ari, Matthew, the family, and the kitties Duck-Duck and Goose.

*Member of or appearing courtesy of Actors' Equity Association.

08/02/2026

Happy friends! Its a beautiful day to join us at SitP: Jackson Park which is a new location this year!
Beautiful Jackson Park is quite large and the performance space is on the opposite side of the pond from where you will most likely park . So we wanted to provide a little visual assistance. Click the link to get to the Google Maps and note that the circled pin (see below) is the one for the performance space. We can't wait to see you!

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1lVSAmQbNqsnUfioxw5zMjD7K6hGHauA&usp=sharing

08/01/2026

Dear Friends:

Due to the recent and ongoing rain, we have to cancel today's performances and all related activities at Lake Park.

We always try to have the shows go on when it is safe to do so; however, for the safety of our cast, crew, and audiences, and in order not to damage the grounds of our beautiful host park, we must cancel today.

We appreciate your understanding and support, and we invite you to join us for another show date/location if you can.

SitP: Lake Park

07/30/2026

We are excited to be back this weekend with SitP: Lake Park and SitP: Jackson Park! Let's meet another of our amazing cast! Next up (alphabetically 🙂) is Kaylene Howard.*

From her bio:
Kaylene Howard (she/her) is a California native who is incredibly grateful to be making her Optimist Theatre debut! She received her training from the Pacific Conservatory of Performing Arts (PCPA) in Santa Maria and has called Milwaukee her home since 2020! Favorite past Shakespeare roles include Paulina, Camillo (THE WINTER'S TALE), Brutus, Calpurnia (JULIUS CAESAR), Titania (MIDSUMMER), Malcolm (MACBETH), and Ophelia (HAMLET). When not seeing theatre or being in the theatre, she loves watching Jeopardy with her cat, Sibella (she is secretly an 80-year-old woman). Love to Mom and Dad. *Kaylene is a proud member of Actor's Equity Association.

07/26/2026

Happy ! It's a beautiful day to gather your people and join us at SitP: Grant Park !

07/25/2026

Join in the fun today at SitP: Lincoln Park !

07/24/2026

Shakespeare in the park returns tomorrow with SitP: Lincoln Park and SitP: Grant Park on Sunday, so it's time for another cast member profile. Next up (alphabetically 😀) is Rebekah Farr:

From Rebekah's bio: Rebekah Farr (she/they) has been working in Milwaukee as an actor, educator, and director since 2018. Past Shakespeare in the Park credits include Dromio of Syracuse in COMEDY OF ERRORS and Hermia in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM. They are excited to be back with Optimist in both of these wonderful plays. Off stage, Rebekah is proud to be a Company Member with The Constructivists and Director, Teacher, and Program Manager at Pink Umbrella Theater Company. Special thanks to Cara for including them in this wonderful opportunity, and love to her ever supportive friends and family always.

Address

Milwaukee, WI

Telephone

+12624985777

Website

http://www.FreeShakespeareInThePark.org/

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