Chicago Shakespeare’s Rowe Lifelong Learning Series encompasses our growing audience enrichment programs. Engagement with scholars, artists, and the Theater’s staff provide thoughtful points of entry—and those who wish to dig deeper will enjoy another lens through which to understand the plays on our stages, and the art-making behind them.
Adult Learning Programs
Demystifying Shakespeare Course
with Artistic Director Edward Hall
MAR 30 – APR 25, 2026
Courtyard Theater & Newberry Library
Have you ever wanted to know what techniques and approaches directors and actors use to crack open the plays of William Shakespeare? Would you like to better understand Shakespeare’s cultural context? New this year, Chicago Shakespeare Theater is excited to announce a course developed in partnership with the Newberry Library. Join Edward Hall (Artistic Director of Chicago Shakespeare Theater) and Jill Gage (the Newberry Library’s Custodian of the John M. Wing Foundation on the History of Printing and Bibliographer for British Literature and History) in a series of salons to learn more about Shakespeare, his poetry, and his world.
1: Shakespeare’s World
Monday, March 30 | 5:30-7:00 PM
2: The Verse
Monday, April 6 | 5:30-7:00 PM
3: From Page to Stage
Monday, April 13 | 5:30-7:00 PM
4: Optional Bonus session at the Newberry Library*
Saturday, April 25 | Select either 10:00 AM OR 12:30 PM
Cost: $125 for full course
A team of scholars presents free pre-performance lectures on select Saturday and Sunday matinees. These half-hour talks by scholars examine the play through the a historical context, as well as the interpretive choices made by the director, design team and acting ensemble.
Upcoming:
Backstage Tours
This intergenerational experience is engaging for all learners. Whether you’re a long-time subscriber, or seeing Shakespeare for the first time, the Backstage Tour is for you. This exclusive tour, led by a member of our skilled Production team, will give you the inside scoop on the theater’s impressive architecture, the technical aspects that bring our shows to life, and the wide spectrum of roles backstage.
Upcoming Tour Dates:
Saturday, February 14 *SOLD OUT*
Saturday, February 28 *SOLD OUT*
Post Show Discussions
These entertaining and informative discussions are offered following certain Wednesday matinees, and after Saturday matinee performances of our Shakespeare Abridgement. Audience members have the opportunity to discuss the play, the production, and more with cast members directly following their performance.
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February 7, 2026
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February 14, 2026
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February 21, 2026
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February 28, 2026
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