This summer, Shakespeare Festival St. Louis returns to Forest Park for its 14th annual season.
This year’s performances will include a combined version of Henry IV parts 1 and 2, as well as Henry V. All believed to have been written near the end of the 16th Century, they recount some of the key events during the reigns of these two kings of England.
The Shakespeare Festival St. Louis was first conceived in 1997, and drew inspiration from R. Crosby Kemper, III. The first annual free festival in Forest Park was held in 2001, and drew around 33,000 attendees. In more recent years, the festival has offered around 250 performances with close to 100,000 audience members. It has also expanded into schools and streets in the St. Louis area.
According to the Festival’s website, its work is focused on the community and collaboration. The Festival is the only professional, free theatre in the St. Louis area, which employs renowned regional and national artists to the benefit of the community. It depends largely on contributions from individuals, corporations, foundations, and public institutions for support, unlike other theatres in the region. It does, however, receive annual support from three local arts organizations.
Performances such as this one, which will continue until June 15, are advertised with poster and flyer printing. For more information or scheduling, visit the Shakespeare Festival St. Louis website.
