Syrracuse Shakespeare Festival Thronden Park Ampitheatre
Our Mission
The mission of the Syracuse Shakespeare Festival is to bring the beauty, poetry, and language of Shakespeare’s works, through high quality productions, to everyone in Central New York with a focus on school aged children. We will put the works of Shakespeare in context through innovative programs. We are dedicated to producing the Shakespeare-in-the-Park program as free public performances

Vision Statement
The SSF will maintain and expand a diverse and broad audience for yearly, free, outdoor performances and for each indoor performance. The organization will develop and provide a variety of educational and performance programs through grants, gifts, and pledges while maintaining its non-profit status. These funds will also be sufficient to adequately compensate those who provide theatrical production and design services and allow the organization to own and maintain professional quality, theatrical equipment. The outreach programs that SSF provides educators and children in the CNY area will become a regular part of the school performance circuit and professional development programs within the Syracuse City Schools and surrounding districts. SSF will increasingly and steadily draw the participation of individuals from all segments of the community into every aspect of its operations from board members to those who “tread the boards.” Because of its success, SSF will contribute to making Syracuse a destination for those who wish to experience quality performances of Shakespeare’s plays

Please Note:
We are heading into the 4th season of our rep company, Avon Repertory Theatre, or ART for short, with eager anticipation and potential. We have received a member item from Sen. Dave Valesky that will allow us to perform in at least 10 schools over the coming school year and the cost will be covered by the NYS Education Dept. We have also changed our format to reflect the apparent need for a more presentational, direct teaching approach as opposed to asking a neophyte audience to read between the lines.

Click here to see YNN Report

Come join us, starting our journey in Messini, Italy with the eighth season of the FREE, Shakespeare-in-the-Park program as we present Much Ado About Nothing from August 12-22, 2010.  

Love Is a Battlefield” as the Syracuse Shakespeare Festival Kicks Off Its Eighth Season with “Much Ado…”

 

The Syracuse Shakespeare Festival brings you the prototypical romantic comedy as we start our eighth season with the never- ending battle for love; true and otherwise.   As we start our journey around the world and back again, come join us in Messina, Sicily for our FREE, Shakespeare-in-the-Park program as we present Much Ado About Nothing from August 12-22, 2010, directed by Pete Zalizniak and produced by Ronnie Bell.

Much ADO ABOUT NOTHING 

Don’t miss our great added activities including Renaissance games, English country-dance, crafts vendors, musical groups, Kids Area and much more fun for the whole family.  Bring a lawn chair, blanket and a picnic and/or buy fabulous food from John John’s Cooker Barbecue featuring ribs, chicken, salt potatoes and collard greens as well as Gannon’s Isle Ice Cream featuring a new, exclusive “Much Ado” ice cream honoring Beatrice and Benedick. (rumored to be sweet & salty)  Free parking available for all shows.  Shuttle bus available on Saturdays and Sundays.

The Bard’s wittiest comedy about love and deception, Much Ado About Nothing.  Shakespeare’s precursor to the Seinfeld show, gives us the epic battle between Beatrice (Kate Fahey) and Benedick (Mark Weatherup) as they spar their way through love.  Along the way, the evil brother of Don Pedro, (Basil Allen) Don John, (Matt Miniatt) tries to derail the marriage of Leonato’s (Bob Reid) daughter, Hero, (Erin Reid) and Claudio. (Michael Carroll)  Groups of friends are enlisted to change the course of true love.  And Officer Dogberry (James Sanders) takes some of them to jail.  Will love be successful?  Find out as the plot’s twists and turns unravel themselves in hilarious fashion.
  Thurs/Fri/Sat, Aug. 12, 13, 14, 19, 20 & 21 at 5:30 p.m.
Sun. Aug. 15 & 22 at 2:00 p.m.

at Thornden Park’s beautiful amphitheatre, the Sylven Theatre. (as it was originally named when opened in 1933)

For more information about the above programs and the work of the Syracuse Shakespeare Festival, please contact: Ronald Bell, Producing Artistic Director, (315) 476-1835 OR e-mail: bell444@gmail.com OR write us @ 350 W. Fayette St., VPA, Room 001, Syr., NY 13202.       

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Show Dates:      Thurs/Fri/Sat, Aug. 12,13, 14, 19, 20 & 21

                             at 5:30 p.m. and Sun. Aug. 15 & 22 at 2:00 p.m.

 

For more information about the above program and the work of the Syracuse Shakespeare Festival, please contact: Ronald Bell, Producing Artistic Director, (315) 476-1835 OR e-mail: bell444@gmail.com OR write us @ 350 W. Fayette St., VPA, Room 001, Syr., NY 13202.       

 

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Gift Certificates - Good for  2010 Season

Now Playing or Coming Soon!


THORNDEN PARK
AVON REPERTORY



ART
A Midsummer Night's Dream 
Romeo and Juliet
Julius Caesar
by appointmet with schools & community groups at your place.
Directors: Pete Zalizniak & Ronnie Bell
Cost: $600 & up
Professional Development available.

KIDS DOING SHAKESPEARE
 Spring and Summer
Vacation Theatre Camp
 Director: Michelle Monsour
 Happening Now!
Summer Camp begins in April 2010

Kids 10

The Syracuse Shakespeare Festival is proud to announce the dates have been set for its 2010 theatre camp programs entitled, “Kids Doing Shakespeare.” (KIDS) Summer KIDS, is set for July 12th through 16th for students in grades 5 thru 12. Both camps are held in Thornden Park’s Carriage House in cooperation with the Syracuse Parks, Recreation & Youth Programs Dept.

Kid's 10 Press Release (continued)

Click here for application