Courtesy of Shakespeare Festival St. Louis
This June, Shakespeare Festival St. Louis presents A Midsummer Night's Dream in Forest Park. With so many child-friendly amenities, there's no better way to introduce your kids to classical theater than to watch Shakespeare's most popular play from a blanket under the stars.
“I wanted to make a play that would allow kids to fall in love with theater,” says director Rick Dildine. “This show is fast-paced, colorful, and full of music. A Midsummer Night’s Dream is one of the most popular plays by Shakespeare and is best experienced live, rather than being read.”
Need more reasons to see the show?
- It's free. There's no admission or RSVP required—although reserved seating is available for $10-20.
- A Midsummer's Night Dream is a comedy full of magic, fairies, and a guy who gets half his body turned into a donkey—plenty of fodder and visuals to keep the little ones engaged even if they can't follow all the language.
- Picnics are welcome, so bring a cooler and enough snacks to keep your kids happy throughout the night. Food, drinks, and adult beverages are also available for sale. (Schlafly's 1616, a beer brewed especially for Shakespeare Festival St. Louis, will be on tap.)
- Free backstage tours take place each performance night at 6 p.m. If your child is a budding thespian, it's a perfect opportunity.
- Before the show, a family craft area is set up where kids can make Shakespearean puppets, musical instruments, or a royal crown.
- The Green Show—the entertainment that takes place before each performance—includes live music, dancers, singers, jugglers, and a 20-minute adaptation of the real play, performed by students. It's a great way to introduce your kids to the story.
- Jugglers. Juggling Jeff will roam the grounds every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday before the show.
- You're bound to find a convenient time. The first performance begins the evening of June 3 and takes place every night (except for Tuesdays) through June 26.
- The best seats in the house are reserved for blankets. Your kids can get a great view, and you don't have to worry about them squirming in their chairs.
- Pets are welcome, as long as they are well-behaved and on a leash.
- Free street parking is available. If you can't find a spot you like, the zoo's and art museum's pay lots are open during the festival for $15.
Shakespeare Festival St. Louis takes place in Shakespeare Glen, located between the zoo and Saint Louis Art Museum, just off Fine Arts Drive. The Glen opens at 5:30 p.m., the Green Show (pre-show) starts at 6:30 p.m., and the play starts at 8 p.m.
In the event of inclement weather, performances may be delayed for up to an hour. Call the weather hotline at 314-531-9800 or follow the festival on Twitter @shakesfeststl for up-to-the-minute information.
