Shakespeare in the Park

What a weekend. What a community.

To everyone who came out to the 2026 Shakespeare in the Park Festival — THANK YOU. From experiencing all seasons in three nights of The Tempest to The Bardlings’ joyful production of The Winter’s Tale, from Kids Kingdom laughter to the vendor and artisan market strolls, you filled Cascades Park (and Theatre Tallahassee!) with energy, generosity, and heart.

From the cast, crew, staff and board, we are so grateful for every seat filled, every standing ovation, every shared post, and every helping hand.

Southern Shakespeare Company exists because this community shows up — and you did.

As we begin planning for next year, we’d love your feedback. Please take a few minutes to complete our festival survey and help us continue to grow what you love. Thank you for celebrating art, storytelling, and community with us. We’ll see you at the next show!

Festival Survey

About the Festival

The Southern Shakespeare Company’s FREE Shakespeare in the Park Festival invites an annual audience of up to 10,000 over a four-day weekend to enjoy the fun and fanfare as we bring stunning Shakespeare productions to Cascades Park in Tallahassee, Florida.

This event invites well-known celebrities like Emmy award winner Kelsey Scott (12 Years a Slave, The Walking Dead), comedian Kevin McDonald (The Kids in the Hall, Lilo & Stitch), Wil Johnson (The House of the Dragon, Outlander), and our 2026 Guest Star, William Ragsdale (Fright Night, Herman’s Head), to perform William Shakespeare’s classics in Florida’s capital city!

Modeled after Joe Papp’s Free Shakespeare in the Park in New York City, this is a family-friendly event, inviting audiences from all around the Southeast and beyond to enjoy food and libations under the stars with Free Shakespeare at Cascades Park.

Check back here for updates on the 2027 FREE Shakespeare in the Park Festival – February 2027 at Cascades Park.

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The quality of the mainstage SSC festival performances each year matches that of the many Shakespeare productions we’ve watched in much larger cities throughout England and the U.S. Tallahassee doesn’t know how lucky it is!

Dr. Sarah Lebhar Hall

Festival attendee

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My 19 year old granddaughter was smitten. Days after [the festival] she enthusiastically shared her experience of the evening with a group of youths who claimed “there’s nothing to do in Tallahassee”…Thanks for the encounter!

2021 audience member

festival attendee

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Thank you THANK YOU for bringing [the festival] back!!! My love of Shakespeare started because of that first [Southern Shakespeare] showing of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Thank you for bringing back one of my loveliest childhood memories.

Brittany Callens

festival attendee

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The set, the costumes, the actors and their excellent performance throughout the play all contributed to a feast for the eyes and ears. And for those who are hearing impaired, watching the signers convey the message and emotion was a treat!

Penny Davis

festival attendee

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I’ve seen a LOT of Shakespeare, both community and professional, and this show was hands down one of the best I have ever seen. Don’t miss out!

Rose Bennett

festival attendee