History
Inspired by R. Crosby Kemper, III, the idea of a free Shakespeare festival began in 1997, and with broad civic support Shakespeare Festival St. Louis received 501(c)3 status in December 1999. In 2001 Chairman of the Board Marvin Moskowitz, first Managing Director Lana Pepper, and a visionary Board of community leaders produced the first annual free Shakespeare festival in Forest Park. Since the initial two-week run that attracted 33,000 audience members, the Festival has grown into a year-round institution producing over 250 public performances annually for nearly 100,000 patrons and students. Rick Dildine became the Festival's first Executive Director in 2009 and has overseen its growth beyond the Park to the schools and streets of St. Louis. In 2013, the Festival entertained its 600,000th patron in Forest Park and 250,000th student.
Specialties
Join us in Shakespeare Glen, Forest Park, for