Michigan Shakespeare Festival
A Brief History
The Michigan Shakespeare Festival began in 1995 as the Jackson Shakespeare Festival and was the final show in the Michigan Theatre Players season. In 1996 an outdoor stage - a replica of an Elizabethan Courtyard Theatre - was built at Ella Sharp Park, and the Festival doubled its attendance to more than 1,000 people.
An affiliation with the University of Michigan Department of Theatre and Drama in 1997 allowed the Festival to reach a new level of professionalism. In 1998 the event was officially renamed the Michigan Shakespeare Festival, reflecting its new partnership and the regional nature of the event. Equity actors were added to the company in 1999 and the Festival was expanded to three weekends.
In 2003, the Michigan Shakespeare Festival was designated as "The Official Shakespeare Festival of the State of Michigan," an honor bestowed by the Governor and State Senate.
The Michigan Shakespeare Festival's high quality performances feature local and professional actors, including Equity performers. Affordable ticket prices and a comfortable indoor venue will combine to expand the Festival's already growing reputation and attract even larger audiences from across Michigan and the entire region. 2005 promises to be the best-attended Festival in our history.
The Festival is presented in cooperation with the University of Michigan Department of Theatre and Drama and is sponsored in part by Comerica Bank, Delta Consulting LLC, Michigan Automotive Compressor, Inc., Mabel Harris Trust and Consumers Energy.
