Chicago Shakespeare Theater: Columbus Park

DISCOVER Columbus Park IN AUSTIN

Columbus Park is a 140-acre historic park located in the Austin community. The park is considered the masterpiece of landscape architect Jens Jensen, and is one of the few parks in the nation to be designated a National Historic Landmark in its entirety. Visitors enjoy a bicycle path, an outdoor swimming pool, a fishing lagoon, baseball fields, basketball courts, and more. Columbus Park is especially known for the beautiful Refectory Building, a popular destination for weddings and special events in South Austin.

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GREEN SHOW FEATURED: Saturday, August 15 @ 5:30 P.M. (CT)

Move Me Soul

Watch Performance

Founded in 2008 by Ayesha Jaco at Austin High School, Move Me Soul is a youth dance company that fuses technique, performance, and character development. Participants are empowered to “move” their limits on and off stage. On its tenth anniversary, Move Me Soul debuted its professional company, made up of of young adults who began in its teens programs. To mark the occasion, the City of Chicago officially declared December 16 to be “Move Me Soul Day.”

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COMMUNITY PARTNERS MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Many of our Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks partner organizations are engaged in powerful, on-the-ground work in service of their communities. Explore the links below to learn how you can get involved in building a more just and equitable Chicago.

Austin Coming Together

Since 2010, Austin Coming Together has harnessed the power of collective impact to improve education and economic development outcomes in Chicago’s Austin community. Today, they are the backbone support agency for a network of more than 50 member organizations.

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By The Hand

This Christ-centered, after-school program takes kids “by the hand” and walks with them from kindergarten through college, loving and nurturing them—mind, body, and soul.

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Peace Corner Youth Center

This community youth center in the heart of Austin is a safe haven for Chicago kids. Through the support of positive adult mentors, kids and teens are provided with after-school programming which focuses on improving academic performance, life skills development, structured recreation, and service learning.

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Sister House

Sister House is a faith-oriented community that offers a temporary home to women seeking recovery from substance abuse, and a secure environment of respect and peace. Residents participate in community service initiatives, complete job readiness programs, and have access to robust recovery services.

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Over the years, we’ve loved getting to know the people and places that make each community an essential part of the fabric of our city—and, everywhere we go, sampling delicious foods. Support small businesses, and check out a few of our cast and crew’s favorite spots to eat.