Shakespeare Festival

2024 Shakespeare Festival

The 24th annual Murray Shakespeare Festival will return to the beautifully renovated Lovett Auditorium this March, 2024.

Kentucky Shakespeare's traveling company will come to Murray to stage four performances of Shakespeare's finest comedy, A Midsummer Night's Dream, on the following schedule:

  • Wednesday, March 6: 10 a.m.
  • Thursday, March 7: 10 a.m.
  • Friday, March 8: 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, March 9: 2 p.m.

Tickets

Tickets are $5.00 for all students and Murray State faculty and staff (with ID). General public tickets are $10.00. Tickets are available at the Lovett box office on the day / evening of the performance.

For more information or to reserve tickets for large groups (especially school groups), contact the festival Chair, Dr. Rusty Jones, at wjones1@murraystate.edu or call 270.809.2397

A Midsummer Night's Dream poster

2024 Shakespeare Festival Special Events

All special events are free and open to the public.

Monday, March 4 - 12 to 1 p.m.

Shakespeare's Insult Battle

Join us for a Shakespeare Insult Battle as part of the Shakespeare Flash Mob in the Murray State Curris Center Lounge.

Location: Curris Center Lounge


Tuesday, March 5 - 4 to 6 p.m.

Film Screening: Voice of Social Change: Ira Aldridge

Against the backdrop of racial injustice in the 1800s, Ira Aldridge persevered to become the first Black man to perform Shakespeare's leading male characters. This one-man show follows Aldridge's quest to carve his own path, inspiring viewers to utilize their own power and sense of purpose to overcome life's obstacles.

Reception at 4 p.m. followed by film screening at 5 p.m. in Faculty Hall Rooms 207 and 208

Location: Faculty Hall Rooms 207 and 208


Wednesday, March 6  - 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Community Reading Event: "Pick Up Lines"

Want to brush up on Shakespeare's love language before you see A Midsummer Night's Dream? A community workshop entitled "Pick Up Lines" offers an interactive session exploring memorable love lines from the bard's most popular play. Readings from key scenes spotlight major plot points that blend comedy and romance, setting the stage to enrich the audience experience of reading or seeing the play. Murray State faculty and award-winning poet and writer Constance Alexander will facilitate the workshop.

There will be ticket giveaways and drawings for prizes from local businesses.

Location: Calloway County Public Library (710 Main Street)


Thursday, March 7 - 5 to 6 p.m.

Acting Workshop: "Discovering Shakespeare"

Community members ages 12 and up are invited to attend an acting workshop led by actors from Kentucky Shakespeare.

Location: Playhouse in the Park Annex (907 Arcadia Circle)

Support the Shakespeare Festival

Since 2000, the Murray State Shakespeare Festival has helped thousands of K-12 students see Shakespeare come alive for the first time. Your support makes the Shakespeare Festival possible and gives students and community members the chance to see unforgettable performances at an affordable price. 

Donate to the Shakespeare Festival

Become a sponsor

Interested in being a corporate sponsor? Contact Kala Allen-Dunn in the Office of Development to learn more about sponsorship levels and giving options. Email Kala at kallendunn@murraystate.edu or call 270.809.3940.

Contact

For more information about tickets and festival events, contact Dr. William "Rusty" Jones at 270.809.2397 or wjones1@murraystate.edu.

Kentucky Shakespeare logo

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