1. Who are you?
We are the Orlando Shakespeare Theater, in partnership with UCF, a non-profit organization. We are a professional theater that :
- Produces professional productions of Shakespeare, classics and contemporary plays, and plays for young audiences.
- Develops new plays from readings through World Premieres.
- Foster innovative educational programs to serve our community.
2. What's your work like?
We
believe in bold professional theater that encourages the actor/audience
relationship, embraces the passionate use of language, and ignites the
imagination. These same fundamentals go from our professional theater
through our educational programs.
3. How big is your theater?
Now
in our nineteenth year of operation, we have an annual operating budget
of $2,300,000. We employ professional AEA union actors and top
designers from New York, Orlando and around the country. In terms of
length of season and size, we are one of the top ten Shakespearean
theaters in the country.
4. Where do you perform?
We
perform in three theaters all located in Orlando, Florida, four indoor
theaters (The Margeson - 320 seats, The Goldman - 118 seats, The
Mandell - 96 seats, Studio B - 75 seats) at the Lowndes Shakespeare
Center in Loch Haven Cultural Park.
5. Can you tell me a bit about the Shakespeare Center?
In
2001, we finished a $3,500,000 capital campaign to renovate the old
Orlando Science Center and open the new John and Rita Lowndes
Shakespeare Center. The center is 50,000 sq. ft., including two
professional theaters, classrooms, rehearsal halls, patron's room,
catering kitchen, courtyard, lobbies, gift shop, box office, scenic and
costume shops and administrative offices. Over 62,000 tickets were sold
to the 06-07 Season.
6. Where are you? How do I get there?
We
are located in downtown, Orlando at 812 East Rollins Street. We are
situated in Loch Haven Cultural Park, a beautifully landscaped park
which we share with other arts groups, including:
- The Orlando Museum of Art
- The Orlando Science Center
- The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra
- The Orlando Repertory Theatre, in partnership with UCF
- The Mennello Museum of Folk Art.
7. What's your Season? When's you Season?
- We perform September through July, including:
- Six Show Signature Series of Shakespeare and other classics
- Three Show Theatre for Young Audiences Series
- PlayFest:The Harriett Lake Festival of New Plays, a ten-day festival including readings, workshops and world premieres.
In
the summer, we have education summer camps, classes and our Young
Company, a group of talented high school students, performs Shakespeare
and other plays. For more info see: TYC
8. How do I buy a ticket?
Please call our Box Office at 407-447-1700 x 1
9. How do I join the mailing list?
You can join our mailing list by filling out the form on our home page.
10. What does the "UCF" part mean?
We
have a thriving professional partnership with the University of Central
Florida which includes a growing internship and MFA program, classes
taught by Orlando Shakes artistic staff to UCF graduate and undergraduate
students as well as senior UCF faculty members performing and designing
on our professional stages. We provide many young students with their
first professional credits, and hire many UCF alumni later in their
careers. That's the association indicated in our name.