Colorado Shakespeare Festival

Colorado Shakespeare Festival
Colorado Shakespeare Festival · Public domain · source
Name	Colorado Shakespeare Festival
Founded	1958
Location	Boulder, Colorado
Venue	University of Colorado campus

Colorado Shakespeare Festival. Founded in 1958, it is one of the oldest and most respected Shakespeare festivals in the United States, operating under the auspices of the University of Colorado Boulder. The festival presents professional theatre productions each summer, primarily of works by William Shakespeare, alongside other classic and contemporary plays. Its mission combines artistic excellence with a deep commitment to educational outreach, serving both the local community and national audiences.

History

The festival traces its origins to 1958 when a production of The Taming of the Shrew was staged in the newly constructed Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre on the University of Colorado Boulder campus. This inaugural performance, directed by Jack Crouch, established a tradition of outdoor Elizabethan theatre in Boulder, Colorado. Early growth was supported by university figures like James S. Moy and aligned with the broader American Shakespeare Festival movement. A significant milestone was reached in 1975 when it became one of the first companies to complete the entire Shakespeare canon, joining institutions like the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in this achievement. Throughout the late 20th century, it evolved from a semi-professional endeavor into a fully professional Equity theatre company, navigating challenges such as funding shifts and the COVID-19 pandemic which prompted innovative digital programming.

Venues and performance spaces

Performances are primarily held in two distinctive venues on the University of Colorado Boulder campus, both located near the University of Colorado Museum of Natural History. The historic Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre, a Greek theatre-style amphitheater built in 1939 and named for a pioneering professor, is the festival's iconic home, offering a unique al fresco experience with the Flatirons as a backdrop. The indoor University Theatre provides a modern, flexible proscenium stage for more technically complex productions and inclement weather. Occasionally, productions or events utilize other campus locations like the Colorado Shakespeare Festival's administrative home in the Roser ATLAS Center, enhancing the integration with the university's academic environment.

Productions and repertoire

The artistic repertoire is anchored by the works of William Shakespeare, with seasons typically featuring three of his plays, often mixing beloved titles like Hamlet and A Midsummer Night's Dream with less-frequently staged works such as Pericles, Prince of Tyre. In pursuit of thematic dialogue and diversity, the festival regularly includes "Bard Adjacent" works, which have included classics like Molière's Tartuffe and modern plays like Karen Zacarías's The Book Club Play. Productions range from traditionally set Elizabethan interpretations to bold, contemporary re-conceptualizations, with notable past directors including Timothy Orr and Carolyn Howarth. The festival has also commissioned and developed new plays, such as The May Queen by Teresa Dayton, exploring local Colorado history.

Artistic leadership and company

Artistic direction has been provided by a series of notable figures, including long-tenured producing artistic director Philip C. Sneed and later Timothy Orr. The company assembles a mix of Equity actors, distinguished guest artists, and talented early-career performers, many drawn from prestigious training programs like the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and the National Theatre Conservatory. Creative teams feature designers and directors with national reputations, often with affiliations to major regional theatres such as the Denver Center for the Performing Arts and the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. This leadership fosters a collaborative environment dedicated to both textual clarity and innovative theatrical production.

Educational programs and outreach

Education is a cornerstone of the festival's mission, with programs designed for learners of all ages. The Colorado Shakespeare Festival's Shakespeare & Violence Prevention program, in partnership with the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, uses theatre to address social issues in schools. The Green Show offers free pre-performance entertainment, while the Bards in the Yard initiative brings abbreviated performances directly to community venues. For students and scholars, it offers the Classic Acts performance series for schools, comprehensive dramaturgy resources, and the annual Boulder International Fringe Festival-adjacent Shakespeare Symposium. These efforts extend its reach across Colorado and align with the educational objectives of the University of Colorado Boulder.

Recognition and awards

The festival has received significant acclaim, including the prestigious Regional Theatre Tony Award in 1991, recognizing its sustained contribution to American theatre. Individual productions and artists have been honored with multiple Henry Awards from Colorado Theatre Guild, covering categories such as Best Direction and Best Actor. It has also been the recipient of grants from major institutions like the National Endowment for the Arts and the Shakespeare in American Communities program. Critical recognition regularly comes from regional media like The Denver Post and national publications such as American Theatre.

Category:Theatre companies in Colorado Category:Shakespeare festivals in the United States Category:University of Colorado Boulder Category:1958 establishments in Colorado Category:Theatre in Boulder, Colorado