Introducing the Nashville Shakespeare Festival

Photo by Roger Gibbs

Nashville is no stranger to the classical world, or the classics in theatre. For proof, one need only reference Nashville Shakespeare Festival, a non-profit organization dedicated to the education and entertainment of middle Tennessee by presenting regular events featuring the works of the bard.

The Festival was established in 1988, and is best known for its annual productions of Shakespeare in the Park, hosted at Centennial Park just yards away from the world-famous Parthenon of Nashville. This year, Shakespeare in the Park will feature The Taming of the Shrew, supported by the Byron & Beth Smith Apprentice Company.

Moreover, the NSF also offers workshops focused on classroom education, public speaking, and history.

Last year, the innovative company has added a new and wonderful function to its roster: Shakespeare Allowed! Gathering the first Saturday of each month, this event gather twelve or so people in a circle to read aloud one of the bard’s masterpieces.

Upcoming Shakespeare Allowed! events are:

• The Taming of the Shrew
  April 11, 2009
• The Two Gentleman of Verona
  May 2, 2009
• Love’s Labor’s Lost
  June 6, 2009
• Richard II
  July 11, 2009
• King John
  August 1, 2009
• Romeo & Juliet
  September 5, 2009
• A Midsummer Night’s Dream
  October 3, 2009
• The Merchant of Venice
  November 14, 2009
• The Merry Wives of Windsor
  December 12, 2009

Visit the Festival website for more information on this terrific reading opportunity, and to learn how you can help the company grow to bring ever more classical entertainment to Nashville!