“Parting with money is such sweet sorrow…”
Isn’t that how it goes?
Well, thankfully there are multiple free, outdoor Shakespeare productions/festivals that happen every summer in Los Angeles, most notably at Griffith Park near the Old L.A. Zoo. What better chance to bring your picnic basket, pack a few warm blankets, and enjoy a spirited performance of words written by The Bard himself.
Of course, just as a gentle reminder, while all performances are free to the public, donations are heartily encouraged (it’s a great public service that these actors/companies provide!).
Most of all, regardless of what you can pay, make sure to enjoy the shows!
Full breakdown of the summer schedule after the jump.
Free Shakespeare in Griffith Park
The Independent Shakespeare Co. will put on performances of Romeo & Juliet and Much Ado About Nothing all summer long as part of the Griffith Park Free Shakespeare Festival.
Romeo & Juliet will be performed every Thursday-Sunday at 7:00pm from June 25 – July 26 (excluding July 4). There will also be a special performance on Wednesday, July 22.
Much Ado About Nothing will be performed every Thursday-Sunday from July 30 – August 25.
All performances at the Old L.A. Zoo.
Check out iscla.org for more information.
Free Shakespeare by the Sea
The 18th season of Shakespeare By The Sea will feature productions of As You Like It and The Tempest at more than a dozen locations spread over Los Angeles and Orange County beginning on June 18 and concluding on August 22.
Full schedule of performances list below along with links for more information on each venue.
June 18 at 8:00pm: As You Like It at Point Fermin Park
June 19 at 8:00pm: As You Like It at Point Fermin Park
June 20 at 8:00pm: As You Like It at Point Fermin Park
June 25 at 8:00pm: The Tempest at Point Fermin Park
June 26 at 8:00pm: The Tempest at Point Fermin Park
June 27 at 8:00pm: The Tempest at Point Fermin Park
July 2 at 8:00pm: As You Like It at Point Fermin Park
July 3 at 8:00pm: The Tempest at Point Fermin Park
July 9 at 8:00pm: The Tempest at Point Fermin Park
July 10 at 8:00pm: As You Like It at Point Fermin Park
July 11 at 8:00pm: The Tempest at Point Fermin Park
July 12 at 7:00pm: As You Like It at Hesse Park
July 15 at 7:00pm: The Tempest at Valley Park
July 16 at 7:00pm: As You Like It at Valley Park
July 17 at 7:00pm: As You Like it at Monte Verde Park
July 18 at 7:00pm: The Tempest at Bonita Canyon Sports Park
July 19 at 7:00pm: As You Like It at Bonita Canyon Sports Park
July 22 at 7:00pm: The Tempest at Schabarum Regional Park
July 23 at 7:00pm: The Tempest at Terranea Resort
July 24 at 7:00pm: As You Like It at The Marine Mammal Care Center at Fort MacArthur
July 25 at 7:00pm: The Tempest at Rush Park
July 26 at 7:00pm: As You Like It at Rush Park
July 29 at 7:00pm: As You Like It at Green Hills Memorial Park
July 30 at 7:00pm: As You Like It at Birch Park
August 1 at 8:00pm: As You Like It at Wilson Park Gazebo
August 2 at 7:00pm: The Tempest at Eisenhower Park
August 5 at 7:00pm: The Tempest at Los Encinos State Historic Park
August 6 at 7:00pm: As You Like It at Los Encinos State Historic Park
August 7 at 7:00pm: The Tempest at Garfield Park
August 8 at 7:00pm: The Tempest at Live Oak Terraces Theater
August 9 at 7:00pm: The Tempest at Aquarium of the Pacific
August 12 at 7:00pm: The Tempest at Aquarium of the Pacific
August 13 at 7:00pm: As You Like It at Warner Center Park
August 14 at 7:00pm: The Tempest at Polliwog Park
August 15 at 7:00pm: As You Like It at Polliwog Park
August 16 at 7:00pm: The Tempest at Crown Valley Community Park
August 19 at 7:00pm: As You Like It at Adventure Park
August 20 at 7:00pm: As You Like It at Roxbury Park
August 21 at 8:00pm: The Tempest at Point Fermin Park
August 22 at 8:00pm: As You Like It at Point Fermin Park
Other Free Shakespeare in Los Angeles
Every Saturday and Sunday in August at Media Park in Culver City, The Actor’s Gang puts on a free adaption of Shakespeare. Shows start at 11:00am
Also worth noting, as part of LA Summerfest in Rivendale, The Santa Clarita Shakespeare Festival will perform Twelfth Night on July 18, 19, 25, & 26, plus August 15 & 16.
Additionally, you can check out the Sierra Madre Shakespeare Festival in July and August at Sierra Madre’s Memorial Park.
If you know of any other free Shakespeare productions happening in Los Angeles this summer let us know in the comments below!
Article originally posted on WelikeLA
