Hey there! We’re currently updating this post for the Summer of 2024. We’ll republish it as soon as we’re done. Until then, there may not be any events on the list yet and the post may be a mishmash of new and old content and may not be linked. We’re working on it!
Sigh no more! Summer is coming. I love being outdoors, and I love theater, so one of the many things I’m looking forward to this summer is attending some outdoor Seattle Shakespeare in the Park performances.
Recently (or recently when I first wrote this post), I saw Seattle Shakespeare‘s (indoor) performance of Shakespeare in Love at the Cornish playhouse. Sadly, “Romeo and Ethel the Pirate’s Daughter” shall remain one of Shakespeare’s um…lost…plays, but outdoor performances of his published plays abound in our area, including that of Ethel’s lesser cousin, “Romeo and Juliet”. And many of them are, blessedly, free.
Seeing Shakespeare performed outdoors seems, somehow, right. Performances for most troupes are during July and August to catch the good weather though, around here, we never quite know what to expect. Remember to pack your own seating and some extra layers for evening performances. I especially love the mid-afternoon performances on a sunny day — a perfect time to pack your festival blanket and a picnic.
Table of Contents
Free Productions
Put money in thy purse (but if you enjoy the show, consider a donation to the theater company).
Outdoor Theater Festival
This two-day outdoor theatre (mostly Shakespeare but with some other plays as well) festival is held annually in July in Volunteer Park.
GreenStage
GreenStage puts on several productions — usually two full length productions and two abbreviated “Backyard Bard” productions — at parks around the Seattle area each Summer.
Wooden O
Wooden O is the summer outdoor Shakespeare branch of Seattle Shakespeare Company.
Island Shakespeare Festival
The Island Shakespeare Festival is an annual event in Langley on Whidbey Island; performances are pay what you will.
Last Leaf
Last Leaf used to put on two one-hour versions of Shakespeare plays — but for 2023 they put on six productions of one play: The Taming of the Shrew…set in the 1950s. We’ll see what they have in store this year!
Not free, but affordable and worth it
Outdoor Theater at Chetzemoka Park in Port Townsend
The Key City Public Theatre in Port Townsend has put on several plays, not all Shakespeare, at Chetzemoka Park in years past.
Bainbridge Performing Arts performance at Bloedel Reserve
BPA puts on an annual Summer Shakespeare in the Park production at lovely Bloedel Park.
Shakespeare Northwest in Mount Vernon/Skagit Shakespeare Festival
Shakespeare Northwest in Mount Vernon annually alternates two Shakespeare plays each Summer.
Outdoor Theater List: Shakespeare and More
The map followed by the events list is for future events inclusive not only of Shakespeare in the Park events but other outdoor theater events as well. It will fill up as we add events for this year, and then empty as the events complete. Recurring events will be shown more than once. That’s just the way it is.
Do you know of any other events? Add your feedback.
If we missed anything (and likely we did) we’d love to add it. Or, if you know something that should be here, you can add an event.