Great River Shakespeare Festival

Programs: Grsf engages and treasures a large number of patrons who desire high-quality shakespeare and other theatrical productions in the upper mississippi river region. Nearly 10,500 patrons experienced the performances of the comedy of errors, richard iii, shipwrecked! An entertainment, the amazing adventrues of louis de rougemont, an iliad, as well as the intern/apprentice production of the henry vi plays. There is a community-wide effort to prepare audiences for the play performances through traditional and social media features and advertising. The process of mounting a performance is explained to the public, who are also invited to observe director and designer work several months before the season opens at well-publicized events.

actors appear at various large gatherings to preview the shows and costumes. During the season, actors engage with audiences in company conversations after each thursday performance, and each sunday morning. Actors engage with young audience members at special "chill with will" performances, which allow students up to age 18 a chance to view live theater at special low-cost rates. Saturday afternoons feature a narrated set changeover. Free concerts on the green are held each friday and saturday evening, featuring regionally known musical acts. These concerts are held between matinee and evening performances, with the goal of attracting new audiences into the theater. Preview performances are offered at discounted rates, and each tuesday features a $10 ticket rate for all audience members.

education is a large part of the grsf mission. The apprentice program offers college-aged theater students an opportunity to spend their summer season with a professional company, learning all aspects of a theater, including: classes, workshops and speakers on shakespeare, movement training, work in various shops, and understudy assignments in the professional productions. Apprentice and shop interns create their own production as part of the grsf season. In addition to the apprentice program, grsf offers shakespeare for young actors and designers, a multi-week intensive for middle school and high school age students to create and perform their own production, as well as learn theater basics. Younger students are able to participate in will's power players and will's creative drama, with curriculum tailored to their age groups. Prior to each performance, grsf education team members present free pre-show conversations to further enhance their knowledge and experience of the plays.