Free Shakespeare Festival in Central Park
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FREE admission
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Food & drinks available
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Pets on leash are welcome
2025 Season of Free Kentucky Shakespeare Festival in Central Park
Much Ado About Nothing
directed by Matt Wallace
Hamlet
directed by Amy Attaway
Cymbeline
directed by Matt Wallace
Plus Twelfth Night, Shakespeare in Dance: A Midsummer NIght's Dream, & Late Night Shakes
Presented by our Globe Players, Louisville Ballet, & Louisville Improvisors
Season Schedule
Nightly Schedule:
6:00 p.m. Food Trucks
7:00 p.m. Kids’ Globe, Will’s Gift Shop, Will’s Tavern
7:15 p.m. Community Pre-show Performance
8:00 p.m. Performance
Location:
C. Douglas Ramey Amphitheater
Central Park in Historic Old Louisville
1340 South Fourth Street
Louisville, KY 40208
CALENDAR HERE
Accessibility and Sensory Visitor’s Guide to Kentucky Shakespeare Festival in Central Park
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Matt Wallace
May 28-June 1; June 4-8; June 11-15; July 16, 19, 22, 25
“Thou and I are too wise to woo peaceably.”
The 65th season kicks off with one of the greatest romantic comedies ever written. It’s a battle of wits, and love is in the air, as mischievous games, pranks, and plots abound in this irresistible comedy.
HAMLET
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Amy Attaway
June 19-22; June 25-29; July 15, 18, 23, 26
“Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.”
Shakespeare’s unparalleled masterpiece is a haunting tale of corruption, betrayal, and revenge. Follow Hamlet through an electrifying and unforgettable journey into the human soul.
CYMBELINE
By William Shakespeare; adapted by Gregory Maupin
Directed by Matt Wallace
July 3, 5, 6; 8-13; 17, 20, 24, 27
“O, for a horse with wings!”
Shakespeare’s inventive fairy tale of love, loss, and legacy… An evil stepmother, long-lost princes, a banished lover, dastardly villains, and a lion-hearted princess on a quest to Happily Ever After.
Kentucky Shakespeare’s Globe Players
professional training program for high school students
TWELFTH NIGHT
Directed by Kyle Ware
July 30-August 3
Kentucky Shakespeare’s Globe Players professional training program takes the stage, presenting Shakespeare’s beloved comedy, directed by Director of Education Kyle Ware. The cast is comprised of students from multiple area high schools and the production is the culmination of a five-week training program.
Louisville Ballet
Shakespeare in Dance
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
Choreographed by Roger Creel
August 6-10
The final week of the summer season, Louisville Ballet returns for a ninth season to present an original dance piece from choreographer Roger Creel, inspired by Shakespeare’s classic romantic comedy.
The Louisville Improvisors
LATE NIGHT SHAKES
10:30PM on June 14, June 28, and July 12
The Louisville Improvisors return for a tenth year with Late Night Shakes on select Saturdays, bringing late night improvised Shakespeare plays created from audience suggestions.
ASL interpretation will be provided for the following performances:Thursday, June 5 for Much Ado About Nothing, Thursday, June 26 for Hamlet, Thursday, July 10 for Cymbeline, and Thursday, July 31 for the Globe Players Twelfth Night. (If show canceled due to inclement weather, the makeup rain date will be the following evening – Friday.)
Located in Central Park
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 Street & Magnolia Avenue. 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 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 Visitors Center.
Parking Information
There is street parking available surrounding the park on Fourth Street, Magnolia Avenue, Sixth Street, and Park Avenue. 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.
Food & Drink
Kentucky Shakespeare Festival partners with local vendors to provide food and drinks before and during performances.
6:00 p.m.: Food trucks from the Louisville Food Truck Association open.
7:00 p.m.: Bar opens with drinks from Brown-Forman, West Sixth Brewing, and Frontera Wine
8:00 p.m.: Performance
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An Evening with Kentucky Shakespeare
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the ticket cost?
There are no tickets or reservations, and there is no cost for admission! Kentucky Shakespeare receives funding from many sources to provide this professional experience at no cost to you. During intermission, company members will collect donations to help support Kentucky Shakespeare. Donations may also be made via credit card at Will's Gift Shop, Venmo @KYShakes, and at kyshakespeare.com/donate.
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What is your weather policy?
Our weather policy is to make weather-related decisions and announcements at 7:30pm, unless there are extenuating circumstances. Performance cancelations or delays will be shared in Central Park and on Kentucky Shakespeare social media platforms Facebook and Instagram.
In the event of nearby lightning during a performance, stage lights may be shut down and work lights turned on until lightning has ceased, for a performance delay or cancelation.
In the event of rain during a performance, we will hold for a 15-minute delay. After the rain delay, Festival staff will make the decision whether or not to continue the production and make an announcement.
Performances may be canceled or delayed due to extreme heat as well.
In the event of severe or threatening weather during the performance, the audience will be informed of any warnings that exist over the house microphone. If severe weather is close to the area, everyone will be instructed to exit the park immediately.
For your safety, please leave the amphitheater in a calm and orderly manner using the sidewalks.
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Where do I park?
There is street parking available surrounding the park on Fourth Street, Magnolia Avenue, Sixth Street, and Park Avenue. Please do not park in front of any of the bus stop signs, or you may be ticketed or towed. (As a courtesy to our residential neighbors, if possible, please park on the Central Park side of Fourth Street, Park Avenue, or Sixth Street until those spots are filled.) 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.
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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 6:00PM 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.)
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Can we bring alcohol?
Kentucky Shakespeare offers Brown-Forman products, Frontera wines, and West Six Brewing for sale until the end of intermission 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.
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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 also picnic tables in the rear of the amphitheater. All seats are free and all seats are first come, first serve.
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What time does the show start?
Food trucks open at 6:00PM nightly. Kids' 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 take the stage 7:15-7:45PM. The main stage performance begins at 8:00PM.
There will be an intermission at approximately 9:00PM. Most performances finish between 10:00PM and 10:15PM.
For other specific show run times, email info@kyshakespeare.com.
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Can I take photos/video?
During the performance, the taking of video and flash photography are prohibited, however, you are welcome to take photos during the first half of the performance. If you post them, be sure to tag Kentucky Shakespeare.
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How long is the production?
The productions run approximately 2 hours 15 minutes, including intermission. You can check with the House Manager, office, or info@kyshakespeare.com for exact running times of specific productions.
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Is the amphitheater accessible?
Accessible ramps, parking, restrooms, and wheelchair seating are available for patrons with disabilities.
Thursday, June 5 for Much Ado About Nothing, Thursday, June 26 for Hamlet, Thursday, July 10 for Cymbeline, and Thursday, July 31 for the Globe Players Twelfth Night. (If show canceled due to inclement weather, the makeup rain date will be the following evening – Friday.)
Large format programs are available upon request at the Kentucky Shakespeare gift shop.
For those with sensory sensitivities, noise canceling headphones for both youth and adults, and sensory play items are available. Please visit the gift shop or ask a front of house staff member. Sensory guides for each production are available at the gift shop or from a front of house staff member. For sensory questions, please contact Director of Creative Engagement Hannah Pruitt for more information at 502.574.9900 or email hannah@kyshakespeare.com.
Pre-show sensory/tactile 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.
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Where are the restrooms?
For your convenience, wheelchair 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 located on the south side of the building, facing the police substation.
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Are the productions suitable for children?
Kentucky Shakespeare Festival in Central Park is a family-friendly event for all ages. For specific show content, see below or contact the office at 502.574.9900 or info@kyshakespeare.com.
(Our late-night productions of the Louisville Improvisors LATE NIGHT SHAKES are intended for mature audiences only.)
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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.
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Is there security?
Kentucky Shakespeare hires security personnel to be onsite nightly from 7:00-11:00PM. Louisville Metro Police Department Fourth Division Police Substation is located in Central Park. Please see the Kentucky Shakespeare House Manager, Stage Manager, or Producing Artistic Director in the park with any questions.
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What about pets?
Pets 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 or in designated side or back grass areas.
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What are your COVID-19 protocols?
If you are feeling ill, have a temperature, or have been around someone with COVID-19 in the past two weeks, please do not attend.
Kentucky Shakespeare’s staff and cast members are vaccinated and we continue to monitor the health of our staff.
We ask that our guests also remain diligent in self-care, including hand washing and monitoring their health.