Chicago Shakespeare Theater: Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks

Watch the Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks WTTW Channel 11 special broadcast!

One of our city’s favorite summer traditions went digital in 2020. Due to COVID-19 health and safety measures mandated by the City, all Chicago Park District Night Out in the Parks events—including the Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks tour—moved online this summer. This re-imagined programming was made possible by a renewed civic, cultural, and corporate partnership between Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Chicago Park District, Boeing, and production sponsor BMO Harris Bank.

Carrying on the program’s community-building spirit, the Theater showcased local artists from the North, West, and South Sides of the city in an online Virtual Tour. Plus, Chicagoans of all ages were invited to bring Shakespeare to life outdoors with #MyMidsummerCHI, and to tune in for a WTTW Channel 11 special celebrating this free community program that has reached 175,000 audience members since its inception in 2012.

ON AIR • FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020 @ 5:30 P.M. (CT)

Celebrate the people and places that have made Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks the city’s most expansive arts-in-communities initiative. The 30‑minute program includes illuminating interviews with artists, community leaders and partner organizations, revisits memorable moments from past years’ tour productions, and highlights this summer’s inventive virtual experience.

Watch WTTW Special

ONLINE • AUGUST 10–27, 2020 @ 5:30 P.M. (CT)

During the 18 days of the Virtual Tour, we highlighted a different neighborhood park each day—sharing the organizations, local businesses, and performers that make these communities such an essential part of the fabric of our city.

Explore the neighborhoods:
Mon, August 10: Garfield Park
Tue, August 11: Gage Park
Wed, August 12: Kelvyn Park
Thu, August 13: Eckhart Park
Fri, August 14: Loyola Park
Sat, August 15: Columbus Park
Sun, August 16: Tuley Park
Mon, August 17: Dvorak Park
Tue, August 18: Ellis Park
Wed, August 19: Frank J. Wilson Park
Thu, August 20: West Pullman Park
Fri, August 21: Humboldt Park
Sat, August 22: Ridge Park
Sun, August 23: Calumet Park
Mon, August 24: Ogden Park
Tue, August 25: Piotrowski Park
Wed, August 26: Welles Park
Thu, August 27: Ping Tom Memorial Park

ON SOCIAL • AUGUST 1–28, 2020

This summer, community members brought Shakespeare’s wonder-filled comedy to life in their local parks, community greenspaces, balconies and backyards. Participants recorded and shared open-air rendition of lines or scenes from A Midsummer Night’s Dream with hashtag #MyMidsummerCHI.