Illinois Shakespeare Festival | Bloomington
Celebration
The Illinois Shakespeare Festival, founded in 1978, is a professional theater company that produces large-scale stage productions, hosts free, family-friendly performances, and numerous community events during the summer. The festival brings a higher level of professional arts, economic benefits, and civic engagement to Illinois, while also making the arts accessible to a new generation and a wider audience. The 2026 performance schedule is as follows: The Two Gentlemen of Verona – William Shakespeare (All performances begin at 7:30 p.m.) In one of Shakespeare's most brilliant comedies, four young men embark on an Italian journey filled with love, friendship, and betrayal. The play stars Shakespeare's most beloved canine character, the Crab Dog, along with several comical clowns and a memorable ending. Preview: June 24; Performances: June 27 (Opening), June 28, July 11, July 16, July 19, July 21, July 24, July 29, August 1 (Closing); Venue: Ewing Theatre. Romeo and Juliet – William Shakespeare (All performances begin at 7:30 pm) In Shakespeare's gripping and classic tragedy, a pair of "fated lovers" in Verona are willing to go to any lengths to be together. Their legendary love story challenges societal norms and reignites ancient family feuds. Preview: June 25; Performances: June 26 (Opening), July 12, July 14, July 17, July 23, July 26, July 28, July 31 (Closing); Venue: Ewing Theatre. *Our Town* – Thornton Wilder (All performances begin at 7:30 pm) This Pulitzer Prize-winning American classic will make its debut at the Illinois Shakespeare Festival at the Ewing Theatre. Set in the fictional town of Grover's Point, *Our Town* presents the everyday moments of ordinary life in an extraordinary way. Preview: July 9; Performances: July 10 (Opening), July 15, July 18, July 22, July 25, July 30; Venue: Ewing Theatre. *Youth Theatre (TYA)* – Nancy Steele Brokaw (All performances begin at 10:00 AM) This 40-minute Shakespearean classic is suitable for audiences of all ages. Suspense! Swordsmanship! Romance! And what about life's choices? Are they predetermined, or can we stop to think… or even change our minds? Performances: June 25 (Opening), June 27, July 2, July 9, July 11, July 16, July 18, July 23, July 25, July 30, August 1 (Closing); Venue: Ewing Cultural Center