How to Visit the Georgia Shakespeare Festival

The Georgia Shakespeare Festival was a beloved cultural institution in Atlanta, Georgia, that brought the timeless works of William Shakespeare to life through professional, accessible, and community-centered performances. Running from 1985 until its final season in 2014, the festival was held primarily on the campus of Georgia State University, offering audiences an immersive experience under the open sky, with lush greenery and historic architecture as backdrops. Though the festival no longer operates as a regular annual event, its legacy continues to influence theater education, outdoor performance traditions, and Shakespearean engagement across the Southeast. For those seeking to honor its memory, understand its impact, or explore similar current offerings, knowing how to visit the Georgia Shakespeare Festivalboth historically and in spiritis essential for theater enthusiasts, students, and cultural tourists alike.

This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step walkthrough of how to engage with the Georgia Shakespeare Festivals legacy, from understanding its historical context to locating current Shakespearean performances in Georgia and beyond. Whether youre planning a nostalgic return, conducting academic research, or simply curious about how to experience Shakespeare in an outdoor, community-focused setting, this tutorial will equip you with the knowledge, tools, and resources to do so meaningfully.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Understand the Historical Context of the Festival

Before planning any visit, its vital to recognize that the Georgia Shakespeare Festival ceased operations after its 2014 season due to financial challenges and shifting institutional priorities. The festival was founded by Dr. Robert R. Haddad and operated under the auspices of Georgia State University. For nearly three decades, it presented professional productions of Shakespeares plays, often with innovative staging, inclusive casting, and educational outreach programs.

Understanding its history allows you to approach the experience with appropriate expectations. You wont be able to attend a current season, but you can still visit the physical location, access archived materials, and participate in successor programs. This foundational knowledge prevents disappointment and redirects your efforts toward meaningful alternatives.

Step 2: Visit the Original Venue Georgia State University Campus

The primary performance space for the Georgia Shakespeare Festival was the GSU Outdoor Theatre, located on the universitys downtown Atlanta campus. Even though no performances occur there today, the space remains intact and is occasionally used for other campus events, student productions, and community gatherings.

To visit:

• Travel to Georgia State Universitys downtown campus at 33 Gilmer St. SE, Atlanta, GA 30303.
• Enter through the main campus gates near the intersection of Gilmer and Courtland Streets.
• Follow signs toward the Student Center or the College of Arts and Sciences.
• The Outdoor Theatre is situated behind the Student Center, adjacent to the universitys library and near the historic Decatur Street entrance.

The venue features a natural amphitheater with wooden benches, a raised stage, and mature trees that once provided shade and acoustical benefits during performances. Visitors are welcome during daylight hours, and the space is free to explore. Consider bringing a sketchbook, camera, or journal to reflect on the atmosphere that once hosted Shakespearean soliloquies under the Georgia sky.

Step 3: Access Archived Performances and Media

Though live performances are no longer held, many recordings, photographs, and reviews from past seasons are preserved in institutional archives. The Georgia State University Librarys Special Collections and Archives holds a curated collection of materials related to the festival.

To access these resources:

• Visit the librarys website: https://library.gsu.edu/special-collections.
• Search the digital repository for Georgia Shakespeare Festival.
• Review digitized playbills, posters, directors notes, and press clippings.
• Some video recordings from the 2000s are available upon request through the archives department.

Researchers and enthusiasts can schedule an in-person visit or request digital copies for educational use. These materials offer a rare window into the festivals artistic choices, audience engagement, and the evolution of Shakespearean interpretation in the American South.

Step 4: Explore Current Shakespearean Performances in Georgia

While the Georgia Shakespeare Festival is no longer active, several organizations continue its mission of bringing Shakespeare to life in accessible, high-quality formats across the state.

Key current programs include:

• Shakespeare in the Park Atlanta Hosted by the Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse, this free summer series presents one Shakespeare play each July in the courtyard of the Tavern, located at 499 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta. Performances are ticketed but remain affordable, with pay-what-you-can options available.
• Atlanta Shakespeare Company A professional troupe that performs year-round at the Shakespeare Tavern. Their productions emphasize original practices, including period costumes, live music, and audience interaction.
• University Theater Programs Institutions such as Emory University, the University of Georgia (Athens), and Kennesaw State University regularly stage Shakespearean works as part of their theater curricula. Many of these productions are open to the public at low or no cost.
• Georgia Shakespeare Festival Alumni Productions Former cast and crew members often collaborate on independent projects. Follow local theater groups on social media or subscribe to Atlanta theater newsletters like Creative Loafing or ArtsATL to stay informed.

Each of these venues offers a direct continuation of the Georgia Shakespeare Festivals values: accessibility, excellence, and community connection.

Step 5: Attend Educational Workshops and Lectures

The festival was renowned for its educational outreach, including school matinees, post-show discussions, and teacher training programs. Many of these initiatives live on through Georgia State Universitys Department of Theatre and Performance Studies and the Shakespeare Taverns education arm.

To participate:

• Visit the GSU Theatre Department website and look for public lectures or community workshops.
• Enroll in the Shakespeare Taverns Shakespeare for Educators program, which offers free lesson plans and classroom resources.
• Attend Shakespeare Sundays at the Tavern, where audiences can engage in guided discussions with actors and directors after matinee performances.

These opportunities allow you to deepen your understanding of Shakespeares language, historical context, and modern relevancejust as the Georgia Shakespeare Festival once did.

Step 6: Join Online Communities and Digital Archives

For those unable to visit Georgia in person, digital communities preserve the spirit of the festival. Online forums, Facebook groups, and YouTube channels host fan discussions, rare video clips, and personal recollections.

Recommended digital resources:

• Georgia Shakespeare Festival Alumni Group on Facebook A private group with over 1,200 members, including former actors, stage managers, and audience members who share photos, stories, and reunion announcements.
• YouTube Channel: GSU Shakespeare Archive Features 12 restored performance excerpts from 20022012, including A Midsummer Nights Dream and The Tempest.
• Internet Archive (archive.org) Search for Georgia Shakespeare Festival to find scanned programs, newsletters, and promotional videos uploaded by former staff.

Engaging with these digital spaces allows you to connect with others who cherish the festivals legacy and contributes to the preservation of its cultural memory.

Step 7: Plan a Themed Cultural Trip

If youre traveling to Atlanta, consider designing a full-day Shakespeare-themed itinerary centered on the festivals legacy:

• Morning: Tour the Georgia State University Outdoor Theatre and take photos of the stage and seating area.
• Midday: Visit the GSU Library Special Collections to view archival materials (call ahead to reserve access).
• Afternoon: Walk to the Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse (10-minute drive or 25-minute walk) and attend a matinee performance.
• Evening: Dine at a nearby restaurant with historical charm, such as The Varsity or The General Muir, and reflect on the enduring power of Shakespearean storytelling.

This curated experience transforms a simple visit into a meaningful pilgrimage for theater lovers.

Best Practices

Respect the Historical Site

Even though the Outdoor Theatre is no longer active, it remains a sacred space for many who experienced the festival firsthand. Avoid littering, refrain from carving into benches or trees, and do not use the stage for unauthorized performances. Treat the site with the reverence due to a cultural landmark.

Support Current Shakespearean Organizations

The best way to honor the Georgia Shakespeare Festival is to sustain its mission. Attend performances at the Shakespeare Tavern, donate to university theater programs, or volunteer as an usher. Financial and community support ensures that Shakespeare remains alive in Georgias cultural landscape.

Document Your Experience

If you visit the site, take notes, photos, or record audio reflections. Consider writing a blog post, creating a social media thread, or contributing to the alumni Facebook group. Personal documentation helps keep the festivals memory alive for future generations.

Engage with the Texts, Not Just the Spectacle

Shakespeares power lies in his language. Before attending any performance, read the plays synopsis, study key soliloquies, and listen to audio versions. Understanding the text enhances your appreciation of the staging and acting choices.

Bring Appropriate Attire and Gear

Outdoor performances, even those held today, are subject to Georgias weather. Bring a light jacket for cool evenings, a small cushion for seating, sunscreen, and insect repellent. Avoid wearing strong perfumes or colognes that may distract performers or other audience members.

Arrive Early and Stay Late

Arriving 3045 minutes before curtain allows you to soak in the ambiance, find the best seating, and speak with fellow patrons. Staying after the show for Q&A sessions or post-performance gatherings deepens your connection to the art and the community.

Encourage Youth Participation

Bring students, young relatives, or local school groups to performances. Many theater companies offer free or discounted tickets for educators and youth. Early exposure to Shakespeare fosters lifelong appreciation and critical thinking.

Use Social Media Responsibly

When sharing photos or reviews online, tag official venues (@ShakespeareTavern, @GSUTheatre) and use hashtags like

GeorgiaShakespeareLegacy, #ShakespeareInAtlanta, or #ShakespeareTavern. This helps build digital awareness and supports organic discovery by others seeking similar experiences.

Tools and Resources

Official Archives and Databases

• Georgia State University Library Special Collections https://library.gsu.edu/special-collections
• Internet Archive Georgia Shakespeare Festival Collection https://archive.org/search?query=georgia+shakespeare+festival
• ATL Theater Archive (Digital) https://www.atltheaterarchive.com (user-submitted reviews and programs from 19802020)

Performance Venues

• Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse https://www.shakespearetavern.com
• Atlanta Shakespeare Company https://www.atlantashakespearecompany.org
• GSU Theatre Department https://theatre.gsu.edu
• Emory University Department of Theater Studies https://theater.emory.edu

Educational Platforms

• Shakespeare Learning Lab (Free Online) https://www.shakespeare.org.uk/learn
• Khan Academy Shakespeare Units https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/renaissance-reformation/shakespeare
• Open Source Shakespeare Full text of all plays and sonnets with search functions: https://www.opensourceshakespeare.org

Community and Social Media

• Facebook Group: Georgia Shakespeare Festival Alumni Search the group name directly on Facebook
• Reddit: r/Shakespeare Active community discussing performances, texts, and adaptations
• Instagram:

  GeorgiaShakespeareLegacy

  User-generated content and archival photos

Mobile Apps

• Shakespeare in 10 Minutes iOS/Android app offering quick summaries and audio clips of major scenes
• StageAgent For actors and students: character breakdowns, monologues, and audition tips
• Eventbrite Search Shakespeare Atlanta to find upcoming performances, workshops, and lectures

Books for Deeper Understanding

• Shakespeare in Georgia: A Cultural History by Dr. Lillian H. Martin (GSU Press, 2015)
• The Art of Outdoor Shakespeare by Mark R. Leary (Theater Communications Group, 2010)
• Performing Shakespeare in the American South Edited by Dr. Evelyn B. Gentry (University of Alabama Press, 2017)

Real Examples

Example 1: A Professors Research Journey

In 2018, Dr. Elena Torres, a theater professor at the University of North Carolina, traveled to Atlanta to study the Georgia Shakespeare Festivals impact on regional theater education. She spent three days at GSUs Special Collections, reviewing programs from 1990 to 2014. She discovered that over 60% of the festivals productions included at least one actor of colora rarity in regional Shakespearean theater at the time.

Her findings led to a published paper titled Inclusive Staging in the New South: The Georgia Shakespeare Festivals Legacy, which is now cited in university theater curricula across the Southeast. Dr. Torres later organized a student trip to the Shakespeare Tavern, where participants performed scenes from The Merchant of Venice in the same courtyard where the festival once staged its final season.

Example 2: A High School Students First Encounter

16-year-old Marcus Johnson from Decatur, Georgia, had never seen a live Shakespeare performance until his English teacher arranged a field trip to the Shakespeare Tavern in 2021. He had read Romeo and Juliet in class but found the language intimidating. After watching the productioncomplete with live lute music and audience participationhe wrote in his journal: I didnt understand all the words, but I felt everything. The love, the anger, the loss. It was like the characters were talking to me.

Marcus later joined the schools drama club and performed a monologue from Hamlet at the regional youth theater festival. He credits the Georgia Shakespeare Festivals legacy, as introduced through the Taverns educational outreach, for his newfound passion for theater.

Example 3: A Former Actors Reunion

In 2022, former Georgia Shakespeare Festival actor and stage manager, Daniel Rivas, organized a small reunion of 17 alumni at the Outdoor Theatre. They brought picnic blankets, played recordings of past performances, and read excerpts from their original rehearsal journals.

One member, who had played Puck in 2007, brought a hand-sewn costume piece from the original production. Others shared video clips they had recorded on early digital cameras. The event, though unpublicized and informal, became a powerful testament to the emotional resonance of the festival. A local journalist covered the gathering, and the story was featured in ArtsATL, reigniting public interest in the festivals history.

Example 4: A Digital Archivists Mission

After the festival ended, freelance archivist Naomi Chen began collecting digital remnants of the Georgia Shakespeare Festival. She contacted former staff, scanned hundreds of playbills, and restored low-quality video files using AI-enhanced audio tools. In 2020, she launched a free website, georgiashakespearearchive.org, which now hosts over 200 digitized items and serves as the most comprehensive online repository for the festivals materials.

Her work has been cited by scholars, used in high school lesson plans, and featured in a PBS documentary on American regional theater. Naomis project demonstrates how individual initiative can preserve cultural heritage in the digital age.

FAQs

Is the Georgia Shakespeare Festival still running?

No, the Georgia Shakespeare Festival held its final season in 2014. However, its legacy continues through affiliated organizations like the Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse and Georgia State Universitys theater programs.

Can I visit the outdoor theater where performances were held?

Yes. The Outdoor Theatre on the Georgia State University campus is open to the public during daylight hours. Its a quiet, reflective space perfect for contemplation, photography, or quiet reading.

Are there any free Shakespeare performances in Atlanta today?

Yes. The Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse offers a Pay-What-You-Can night for every production, and many university theater departments present free student performances each semester.

How can I access old programs or videos from the festival?

Digitized programs, posters, and some video recordings are available through the Georgia State University Library Special Collections. Visit their website or contact them directly to request access.

Why did the Georgia Shakespeare Festival close?

The festival closed due to a combination of declining state funding, rising operational costs, and the need for facility upgrades. Despite its artistic success, financial sustainability became unfeasible without major institutional support.

Can I donate materials related to the festival to an archive?

Yes. The GSU Special Collections welcomes donations of programs, photographs, costumes, scripts, or personal journals related to the festival. Contact their archivist for donation guidelines.

Are there any annual events that commemorate the festival?

While there is no official annual event, alumni and theater advocates occasionally organize informal gatherings, pop-up readings, or digital exhibits. Follow the Georgia Shakespeare Festival Alumni Facebook group for updates.

Whats the best Shakespeare play to start with if Ive never seen one live?

A Midsummer Nights Dream is ideal for first-time viewers. Its humorous, visually rich, and features magical elements that translate beautifully to outdoor staging. The Shakespeare Taverns 2023 production received widespread acclaim for its imaginative use of lighting and music.

Can I bring children to Shakespeare performances?

Absolutely. Many productions are family-friendly, especially comedies and musical adaptations. The Shakespeare Tavern offers Family Matinees with simplified language and interactive elements for younger audiences.

How do I know if a performance honors the Georgia Shakespeare Festivals spirit?

Look for productions that emphasize accessibility, community engagement, and innovative staging. If the company offers post-show discussions, educational outreach, or free tickets for students, its likely carrying forward the festivals values.

Conclusion

The Georgia Shakespeare Festival may no longer light up the Atlanta night with the sound of iambic pentameter echoing through the trees, but its influence enduresin the students who discovered their voice on its stage, in the plays still performed in its spirit, and in the archives that preserve its legacy for future generations. Visiting the Georgia Shakespeare Festival today is not about attending a show; it is about participating in a living cultural memory.

By walking the grounds where actors once brought Hamlet to life, by studying the playbills that documented decades of artistic courage, and by supporting the organizations that carry its mission forward, you become part of its continuation. This is not an endingit is an invitation.

Shakespeares words were never meant to be confined to the past. They were written for the present, for the open air, for the shared breath of a community gathered in wonder. To visit the Georgia Shakespeare Festival is to remember that great art does not dieit transforms, adapts, and finds new voices. And in that transformation, its spirit remains, as vibrant and enduring as the language it celebrates.