Our 60th season of the free Kentucky Shakespeare Festival in Central Park will be announced February 22, 2020 at our annual Shakespeare in Love gala at 21c Museum Hotel. The season will run May 27-August 9, 2020.
FREE ADMISSION
Food & drinks available
Dogs are welcome
Kentucky Shakespeare Festival’s performances are held at the C. Douglas Ramey Amphitheater in Central Park in Louisville, KY. Central Park is located in the heart of Old Louisville’s historic preservation district, at the corner of Fourth & Magnolia Streets. The amphitheater features permanent bench seating, with additional open spaces available for portable chairs and blankets in front and back of the bench seating and on the lawn right and left of the audience. There is also bleacher and picnic table seating available at the rear of the amphitheater. Central Park is also home to the Louisville Metro Police Department’s 4th Division and the Old Louisville Visitor’s Center.
There is street parking available surrounding the park on Fourth Street, Magnolia, Sixth Street, and Park. Please do not park in front of any of the bus stop signs, or you may be ticketed or towed. There are a limited number of accessible spots in the parking lot behind the information center with a sidewalk ramp into the park. Enter via sidewalks by the police substation or by the tennis courts.
The Kentucky Shakespeare Festival partners with local vendors to provide food and drinks before and during performances.
6:30pm: Food trucks from the Louisville Food Truck Association open.
7pm: Bar opens with drinks from Brown-Forman, Old 502 Winery and West Sixth Brewing.
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Along with great performances, food and drinks, the Festival includes community pre-show entertainment that’s perfect for all ages. Check out the video below to see what a magical evening with Kentucky Shakespeare is all about.
Our 2019 summer company featured 19 professional actors, most of whom are members of our thriving Louisville arts community. Many of our cast members have been performing with the Festival for decades, and some are new to our stage!
View Actor BiosNEW: Check out digital version of our summer 2019 playbill here!
What is your rain policy?
PERFORMANCES WILL NOT BE CANCELED BEFORE 8:00 PM.
In the event of lightning without rain, stage lights may be shut down and work lights turned on until lightning has ceased. In the event of rain, we will hold for a 15 minute rain delay. After the rain delay, Festival staff will make the decision whether or not to continue the production.
In the event of severe or threatening weather, the audience will be informed of any warnings that exist over the house microphone. If severe weather is in the area, everyone must take shelter immediately. The police station is the closest and most secure place to be.
For your safety, please leave the amphitheater in a calm and orderly manner using the sidewalks.
Where do I park?
There is street parking available surrounding the park on Fourth Street, Magnolia, Sixth Street, and Park. Please do not park in front of any of the bus stop signs, or you may be ticketed or towed. There are a limited number of accessible spots in the parking lot behind the information center. Enter via sidewalk by the police substation or north by the tennis courts.
Can we bring alcohol?
Kentucky Shakespeare offers Brown-Forman products, Old 502 Wine, and West Six Brewing for sale at the rear of the amphitheater in Will's Tavern. Cash, check, and major credit cards accepted. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed to be brought in or taken out of the amphitheater designated perimeter. Please enjoy your beverages responsibly inside the amphitheater perimeter.
Is food available?
Please take a moment to visit the Food Trucks at the rear of the amphitheater provided by the Louisville Food Truck Association. Various food trucks will be in the park nightly from 6:30PM until just after intermission. Cash and credit cards are accepted. The Association generously donates a portion of proceeds to Kentucky Shakespeare. Check our website and app daily for rotating food truck schedule. You're also welcome to bring your own picnic too (no outside alcohol is permitted.)
Do I need to bring chairs?
We have bench seating in the amphitheater. We also have open area in the front, rear, and sides of the amphitheater for guests to bring their own chairs and/or blankets. There are bleachers and picnic tables in the rear of the amphitheater. All seats are free and all seats are first come, first serve.
What time does the show start?
Food trucks and our Will's Tavern open at 6:30PM nightly. Kid's Globe tent with free, interactive arts activities for youth is open 7:00-8:00PM. Will's Tavern opens at 7:00PM. Community pre-show performances begin nightly at 7:15PM, with the main stage performance beginning at 8:00PM. There will be an intermission at approximately 9:00PM. Most performances finish between 10:00PM and 10:30PM. For specific show run times, email info@kyshakespeare.com.
Can I take photos/video?
During the performance, the use of cameras with or without a flash and recording devices of any kind is prohibited.
How long is the production?
Most of the productions in the park will be between 2 and 2 1/2 hours including a 15-20 minute intermission. Check with the House Manager, office, or info@kyshakespeare.com for exact running times of productions.
Is the amphitheater accessible?
Accessible ramps, parking, restrooms, and wheelchair seating are available for patrons with disabilities. Large format programs are available upon request at the Kentucky Shakespeare information booth.
Audio-Described Performances: Select performances, TBA in 2020, are audio described for patrons who are blind or have low vision. To reserve this service in advance, please call Director of Operations Robert Silverthorn, III at least two weeks in advance at 502.574.9900.
Open Captioning: Caption Theatre is provided for select performances, TBA in 2020, for patrons who have hearing loss and may not benefit from hearing amplification. The audible elements are shown on an LED sign, in real time, as each line is spoken. (Rain dates are the following nights - June 7, 21 and July 5.)
Sensory Tours: Pre-show sensory/touch tours for the visually impaired are available during the summer. Contact Director of Education Kyle ware for more information at 502.574.9900 or email kyle@kyshakespeare.com.
Where are the restrooms?
For your convenience, handicapped accessible restrooms are located at the rear of the amphitheater. Public restroom facilities are maintained by Metro Parks. Women’s restrooms are located on the north side of the building, adjacent to Will’s Tavern. Men’s restrooms are location on the south side of the building, facing the police substation.
Are the productions suitable for children?
Kentucky Shakespeare Festival in Central Park is a family-friendly event for all ages. For specific show content, please contact the office at 502.574.9900. (Our late-night 10:30PM production of the Louisville Improvisors LATE NIGHT SHAKES is intended for mature audiences only.)
Where can I buy a shirt?
Please take a moment to visit our gift shop at the rear of the amphitheater. Cash, check, and major credit cards accepted. For more information, contact us at 502.574.9900. For more information, contact us at 502.574.9900.
Is the stage available for rental?
Kentucky Shakespeare's stage is available for rental for private parties, weddings, presentations, and special events. Contact Director of Operations Robert Silverthorn for information - 502.574.9900, ex. 11, rob@kyshakespeare.com.
Is there security?
Louisville's Fourth Division Police Substation is located on the premises in Central Park, behind the Old Louisville Information Center. In addition, Kentucky Shakespeare hires an off-duty police officer to be onsite nightly from 7:00-11:00PM. Please see the Kentucky Shakespeare House Manager, Stage Manager, or Producing Artistic Director in the park with any questions.
What is the ticket cost?
There are no tickets and there is no cost for admission for the 10-week, 7-production, 58-performance season! Kentucky Shakespeare receives funding from many sources to provide this professional experience at no cost to you. During intermission, actors will pass throughout the amphitheater collecting donations to help support Kentucky Shakespeare.
What about dogs?
Dogs are welcome! We just ask that you clean up after your pet and make sure your pet is on a leash. As a courtesy to audience members, we ask that you sit in the back picnic tables, bleachers, or side grass area.