
Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks joins this summer with arts partners from across the city to present ShakesFest: A Chicago Shakespeare Community Cabaret, with FREE pop-up performances in Chicago Park District neighborhood parks.
Performers, musicians, and dancers take center stage in this exuberant musical revue of songs riffing on familiar (and not-so-familiar) lines from Shakespeare! From pop to musicals, hip hop, and the blues, Shakespeare’s words find joyful new life in unexpected ways.
This FREE, fun-for-all-ages event celebrates community-building, connection, and the magic of experiencing live performance together with family, friends, and neighbors.
Featured arts partners include: Jose “iasEL” Gonzalez, DJ Jeremy Heights, James Heitz, Emma Lyons, Noelle Klyce, Move Me Soul, Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center, and Yin He Dance.
Now in its eleventh year, Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks is an important component of the Theater’s Community Practice, a year-round community connectivity program rooted in engagement with neighborhoods and collaborations with local artists.
We are following the health and safety guidelines of Chicago's Night Out in the Parks program.
Chicago Shakespeare is committed to making its performances accessible to all patrons. ASL Interpretation and Audio Description are available on dates indicated, and Assisted Listening Devices are available at all performances.
For any weather-related performance delays or cancellations, check @chicagoshakes on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram
WATCH & LISTEN
Gallery: ShakesFest: A Chicago Shakespeare Community Cabaret
THE PLAYERS
CREATIVE TEAM
MALKIA STAMPLEY Director
SHRAMAN GHOSH Music Director
DANIELLE DAVIS Assistant Director/Arts Partner Liaison
BOB MASON Concept Creation
PAIGE WHITSON-MARTINI Program Lead
EMMA LYONS Scenic Design
RYAN MAGNUSON Costume Coordinator
ANDREA SAN MIGUEL Verse Coach
DANNY FENDER Production Stage Manager, through July 14
NIKKI KONOMOS Production Stage Manager, beginning July 15
ANNA MARGEVICH Production Assistant
SHAKESFEST ENSEMBLE
Vocal Ensemble
ADIA BELL
CHRISTIAN DENZEL BUFFORD
KIDANY CAMILO
JACKSON EVANS
HALEY GUSTAFSON
BECKY KEESHIN
Arts Partners
BRASSEL CHANEY Dance, Move Me Soul
EDGAR ESTRADA Bass, Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center
JOSE “iasEL” GONZALEZ Spoken Word
JEREMY HEIGHTS DJ
JAMES HEITZ Guitar
NOELLE KLYCE Vocals
RAVEN LEWIS Dance, Move Me Soul
NATHANIEL MOHILL Guitar, Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center
DIANA MUHAMMAD Choreography, Move Me Soul
ANGELINA ORTIZ Trumpet, Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center
TAI RAMÍREZ Percussion, Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center
ADRIAN RUIZ Piano, Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center
ANGELA TAM Dance/Choreography, Yin He Dance
MARY THOMAS BRANCH Dance, Move Me Soul
TIA YOUNG Dance, Move Me Soul
Band
HAMPTON DOUGLAS Drums
JOE NEDDER Bass and Trombone
Understudies
ISABELLA ANDREWS
BEN DOW
CLARE KENNEDY
NOAH VILLARREAL