The New Orleans Shakespeare Festival celebrates 25 years in NOLA

While New Orleans celebrates its 300th birthday, the New Orleans Shakespeare Festival is commemorating an anniversary of its own. Twenty-five years ago, several Tulane faculty members joined forces to create New Orleans’ own professional, classical theater company. Since that time, the festival has grown into one of the south’s most noteworthy producers of Shakespeare’s work.

“Our 25th season features shows that will allow audiences to experience the full spectrum of Shakespeare’s impact on the theatre — from the delightful to the dark,” said Martin Sachs, the festival’s artistic director.

The festival will open its summer season with Shakespeare’s comedy All’s Well That Ends Well for the first time in its history. Amy Holtcamp will direct. In the production, Helena loves Bertram, but he’s not so sure. She’s a poor orphan and he’s a handsome gentleman. But all is fair in love and war, and Helena’s romantic goose chase makes for a dark comedy and a wild ride.

“Our 25th season features shows that will allow audiences to experience the full spectrum of Shakespeare’s impact on the theatre — from the delightful to the dark.”

Martin Sachs, artistic director

In July, the Festival will produce Shakespeare’s popular tour de force Macbeth. In a country torn by war, Macbeth and his wife execute a ruthless plan that launches a string of murders. But fate is an unwavering force in this world of witches and prophecy. Director Jessica Podewell brings a stalwart and engaging concept to this revered tragedy.

In celebration of its silver anniversary, the festival offers these performances in its 2018 season:
        ➢  All’s Well That Ends Well, June 1-17.
        ➢  Macbeth, July 6-22.
        ➢  The Food of Love, June 14.
        ➢  King Lear, July 11.
        ➢  By Any Scenes Necessary (Julius Caesar), July 18.