The Nashville Shakespeare Festival

==Nashville Shakespeare Festival== The '''Nashville Shakespeare Festival''' (NSF) is a professional theatre company based in Nashville, Tennessee, with a mission to educate and entertain the Mid-South community through professional theatrical experiences. The festival is dedicated to enriching and unifying the community with bold, innovative, and relevant productions of Shakespeare's plays, as well as empowering educational programs. It has established itself as a standard of excellence in educational outreach and performances of Shakespeare’s works in the region. ===History=== The Nashville Shakespeare Festival was conceived in 1988 when a group of local actors, led by Chambers Stevens, produced a free-of-charge production of "As You Like It" in Centennial Park. The central location of the park was crucial in attracting a diverse audience and ensuring the success of what would become an annual tradition. Following the strong community support for the initial production, the festival continued with "Pericles" in 1989. With the departure of Stevens after "Pericles," local attorney and actor Donald Capparella, along with longtime company member Jill Jackson and others, including Denice Hicks, produced the first professional Shakespeare in the Park with "The Merry Wives of Windsor" in 1990. Under the leadership of Capparella on the Board and Hicks' artistic vision, the festival has grown into one of the region's leading professional theatres. The annual Summer Shakespeare Festival draws up to 15,000 attendees and remains accessible to all cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, maintaining free admission while welcoming donations. In 1992, responding to the need for arts education in Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools, NSF developed its educational outreach program. This program began with Shakespeare Samplers, abridged versions of Shakespeare's renowned plays, touring to schools and universities. The festival has since become a trusted educational resource, reaching over 213,000 students, many experiencing live theatre for the first time, through interactive workshops and performances. ===Winter Shakespeare=== In 2008, the NSF established the Winter Shakespeare production at Belmont University's Troutt Theater. This allowed the festival to expand its repertoire with plays suited to an intimate indoor setting and to offer both public and school performances. The winter productions have reached over 66,500 students and adults, with grants allowing students from all backgrounds to attend for free. ===Community Outreach=== The festival's success has led to various free community events throughout the year. "Shakespeare Allowed," in partnership with the Nashville Public Library, is a monthly event where participants read Shakespeare's works aloud, guided by NSF's Executive Artistic Director, Denice Hicks. Other events include celebrating Shakespeare's Birthday with "The Biggest Balcony Scene Ever" and "Insight," where university professors discuss the plays with the public. The Nashville Shakespeare Festival is a proud member of The Shakespeare Theatre Association (STA), a global organization that serves as an advocate for Shakespearean productions and training. For more information on the Nashville Shakespeare Festival and its history, interested individuals can access video interviews with the founders and learn more about the festival's impact on the community. [[Category:Theatre companies in Nashville, Tennessee]] [[Category:Shakespeare festivals in the United States]] [[Category:1988 establishments in Tennessee]] [[Category:Educational organizations based in the United States]]