Mission of Wisconsin Shakespeare Festival:

The Wisconsin Shakespeare Festival believes in the power of words and the stories they tell. Our exuberant celebration of brilliant theatre seeks to ignite a spark to empower and inspire artists, as well as enlighten and connect audiences and the community.

Why William?

Shakespeare’s writings explored the human condition in a manner that was both relevant in his day, and insightful for future audiences, producers, artists, and patrons to consider. His facility with language and playfulness with double meaning imbue his plays with a deep cultural value to be explored. As such, our festival is not solely a recreation of Shakespeare’s most-known works. We wish to focus on the essence of his artwork, questioning norms regarding love, power, and possibility, without compromising a high-quality production environment.

At the end of the day, William Shakespeare gave us stories. Stories to mine, explore, interpret, and evaluate. We aim to provide summer programming for all of Eau Claire–and the region–so that we might come together in an enriching celebration.