Optimist Theatre Presents: Shakespeare in the CityWe are pleased to announce our 2024 summer series: Optimist Presents: Shakespeare in the City. With this bold new approach, we will expand our offerings from 10 to nearly 50 performances.
Building upon the success of the company’s first three fully touring shows, A Midsummer Night’s Dream: The Lovers’ Tale (2021), Twelfth Night: Or, What She Will (2022), and Cymbeline (2023), this year’s production will continue to perform in public green spaces throughout the greater Milwaukee area. New this year, the performance dates will feature multiple show offerings from several companies. The expanded programming will continue SitP’s mission of bringing free, professionally produced Shakespeare to neighborhoods throughout the city and beyond. |
Our 2024 Performance Partners
This year, in addition to producing our own Shakespeare play, we will also tour three additional titles. Audiences will have an opportunity to see multiple shows per weekend! We will also offer theatre games and our first Shakespeare festival!
Our 2024 shows will be:
Optimist will also present Shakespeare-focused theatre games and workshops with The PLAY’s the Thing.
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Our 2024 shows will be:
- Hamlet, produced by Optimist Theatre and directed by former Door Shakespeare Director Michael Stebbins. This one-person production will star SitP regular Libby Amato.
- Another Midsummer Night’s Dream, an original piece written and directed by Milwaukee Playwright Liz Shipe and performed by The Available Players
- The Comedy of Romeo and Juliet: Kinda Sorta, written and directed by Patrick Schmitz and featuring the Schmitz 'n Giggles Shakesparody Players.
- Macbeth presented by Pocket Park Puppet Players and as can only be accomplished by puppets.
Optimist will also present Shakespeare-focused theatre games and workshops with The PLAY’s the Thing.
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Show Dates & Locations and the 2024 Shakespeare Festival
This summer will feature a nine-week season, currently set to open June 15 and close Aug. 11.
Shows will take place in more than 18 outdoor locations in the greater Milwaukee area, including Forest Home Cemetery and Arboretum; the Marcus Performing Arts Center grounds; Humboldt, Sherman, Mitchell, Lincoln, and Lake parks; Wisconsin Lutheran College and small “pocket” parks.
Some locations will see more than one show per day and some dates may see shows in multiple locations.
2024 will also debut Milwaukee’s first Shakespeare Festival on Aug. 4 at Forest Home Cemetery. The full day of activities will offer multiple performances of all the shows and will have a small suggested donation. All other performances will continue to be free to attend.
Our first confirmed show dates are available for reservation or registration!
Shakespeare in the Park (SitP) performances are always free to attend. Seating is outdoors. Simply bring your own chair and grab a spot for any show. Members can reserve a space and non-members can register for the longer performances to receive reminders and updates.
For reservation/registration, the shows options are
(Please Note: Macbeth (by the Pocket Park Puppet Players) and the The PLAY’s the Thing workshops are shorter programs and are general seating for all patrons no need to register or reserve.)
If you are a member or wish to become a member, please click here to reserve your space.
If you are not a member, you can click here to register for a show. Registration does not reserve a space, but allows us to contact you with show reminders and updates.
Shows will take place in more than 18 outdoor locations in the greater Milwaukee area, including Forest Home Cemetery and Arboretum; the Marcus Performing Arts Center grounds; Humboldt, Sherman, Mitchell, Lincoln, and Lake parks; Wisconsin Lutheran College and small “pocket” parks.
Some locations will see more than one show per day and some dates may see shows in multiple locations.
2024 will also debut Milwaukee’s first Shakespeare Festival on Aug. 4 at Forest Home Cemetery. The full day of activities will offer multiple performances of all the shows and will have a small suggested donation. All other performances will continue to be free to attend.
Our first confirmed show dates are available for reservation or registration!
Shakespeare in the Park (SitP) performances are always free to attend. Seating is outdoors. Simply bring your own chair and grab a spot for any show. Members can reserve a space and non-members can register for the longer performances to receive reminders and updates.
For reservation/registration, the shows options are
- Hamlet (One Woman as Everyone)
- Another Midsummer Night’s Dream,
- The Comedy of Romeo and Juliet: Kinda Sorta
(Please Note: Macbeth (by the Pocket Park Puppet Players) and the The PLAY’s the Thing workshops are shorter programs and are general seating for all patrons no need to register or reserve.)
If you are a member or wish to become a member, please click here to reserve your space.
If you are not a member, you can click here to register for a show. Registration does not reserve a space, but allows us to contact you with show reminders and updates.
Show Calendar
Shows are Saturday and Sunday beginning June 15th. Check the calendar below to see each date or click here (or scroll down) to see a list by show.
Show Listings
Another Midsummer Night's Dream
(Please see above on how to reserve your space or register for updates, 90 minute runtime)
(Please see above on how to reserve your space or register for updates, 90 minute runtime)
- Wisconsin Lutheran College: June 15 at 4:30 pm
Macbeth by the Pocket Park Puppet Players
(No Registration or Reservation Needed. 45 minute runtime)
(No Registration or Reservation Needed. 45 minute runtime)
- Wisconsin Lutheran College: June 15 & 16 at 3:00 pm
Our New Format: Why this? Why Now?
Transitioning to this multiple show, multiple company format is a big change for us, but it's what we felt is the next step in our mission to bring Shakespeare to more Milwaukee communities.
As our Executive Director Susan Scot Fry explains: “When Shakespeare in the Park transformed into a touring company three years ago, we had no idea how fast demand for shows would exceed capacity. This ambitious expansion provides us with the opportunity to accomplish three important goals. First, to meet that demand; second, to add shows crafted to appeal to a broader audience; and third, to showcase the work of other local theatre companies. This summer-long showcase is also what prompted the name change for the 2024 season from Shakespeare in the Park to Optimist Presents: Shakespeare in the City. After all, as Shakespeare said in Coriolanus, ”What is the city but the people?”
As our Executive Director Susan Scot Fry explains: “When Shakespeare in the Park transformed into a touring company three years ago, we had no idea how fast demand for shows would exceed capacity. This ambitious expansion provides us with the opportunity to accomplish three important goals. First, to meet that demand; second, to add shows crafted to appeal to a broader audience; and third, to showcase the work of other local theatre companies. This summer-long showcase is also what prompted the name change for the 2024 season from Shakespeare in the Park to Optimist Presents: Shakespeare in the City. After all, as Shakespeare said in Coriolanus, ”What is the city but the people?”
Be A Part of the Show
We are hiring! And casting! Click here for our current opportunities to work with Optimist
Help Make It All Possible
While our shows are free to see, they are expensive to produce. We exist and continue to produce Shakespeare shows like these through the generosity of viewers like you.
To help support our mission, please click here to donate.
To help support our mission, please click here to donate.