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PARDON OUR DUST
With financial support from the City of Orlando, Orlando Shakes is undergoing renovations to refurbish the John & Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center! We look forward to bringing live theater back to our stages with the opening of “A Christmas Carol” this November!
This project is funded in part by Orange County Government through the Arts & Cultural Affairs Program.
Stay tuned for updates on our transformation and get ready for a spectacular year here at Shakes!
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ORLANDO SHAKES AND UCF ANNOUNCE FINALISTS AND SEMI-FINALISTS FOR PLAYFEST 2025
JULY 28, 2025
CONTACT: Isabella Rodrigues, Public Relations and Marketing Manager
EMAIL: IsabellaR@OrlandoShakes.org
After receiving over 200 new play submissions, Orlando Shakes, in partnership with UCF, has selected 5 finalists for PlayFest 2025.
ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando Shakes, in partnership with UCF, is pleased to announce the finalists and semi-finalists for PlayFest 2025. Selected from over 200 submissions, these exceptional plays represent vibrant voices in contemporary theater.
Orlando Shakes PlayFest is a two-week-long annual festival that provides a place for writers, theater professionals, and audiences to connect and share ideas that promote thought-provoking stories. Audiences experience staged readings of six new works over two weekends and participate in the development of new plays, conversing with playwrights, directors, and actors while absorbing groundbreaking new works.
Finalists for PlayFest 2025 include Chasing Gods by Paris Crayton III, Dead Girls Quinceañera by Phanésia Pharel, Tumbleweed by Marcus Scott, Muse of Fire by Lauren Gunderson, and Dunk City by Stephen Brown. These five plays will be featured in staged readings during the festival, accompanied by audience feedback and development opportunities.
“We are thrilled to announce the return of Playfest this fall, and we couldn’t be more excited to showcase the work of this dynamic group of playwrights,” said Roberta Emerson, Director of New Play Development. “Their creativity and vision promise to astonish and captivate audiences. We eagerly anticipate sharing these incredible stories with our community and celebrating the magic of new plays together!”
Semifinalists for PlayFest 2025 include The Mallard by Vincent Delaney, The Sandwich Ministry by Miranda Hall, Walk Away, Anna May by Diana Ly, The Great Reveal by David Valdes, and Mercy by Felicia Oduh. Although not selected for a staged reading, these semi-finalists will be celebrated and recommended through the National New Play Network’s New Play Exchange platform, enhancing visibility and opportunities for further development of their plays.
PlayFest 2025 is scheduled for two weekends at Orlando Shakes: October 24-26 and October 28-November 2.
Orlando Shakes and UCF congratulate all finalists and semi-finalists on their remarkable achievements.
For more information about PlayFest 2025, please visit https://wob.frg.mybluehost.me/website_944fc117/npd/playfest/
Orlando Shakes is a core member of the National New Play Network, a nationwide organization devoted to developing new work through the New Play Exchange, rolling world premieres, the Producer-in-Residence Program, and annual conferences. Orlando Shakes prides itself on active participation within the national new play community while engaging its local audiences in the latest and greatest in playwriting.
PlayFest 2025 is sponsored in part by Frank Santos.
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ABOUT ORLANDO SHAKES
Now in its 37th season, Orlando Shakes, in partnership with UCF, is Central Florida’s largest non-profit professional theater, featuring classic, contemporary, and children’s plays at the John & Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center. Conveniently located in Loch Haven Cultural Park, just minutes from the heart of Orlando’s Mills 50 and Ivanhoe Village Main Street entertainment districts, Orlando Shakes is one of the region’s top date-night destinations. Visit OrlandoShakes.org to learn more about our annual Signature Series, Children’s Series, PlayFest, concert series, and immersive educational programming.** Orlando Shakes is sponsored in part by the City of Orlando, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, Orange County Government through the Arts & Cultural Affairs, and by United Arts of Central Florida, your local agency for the arts. Additional support is also provided by generous individual donors.
The mission of Orlando Shakes is to enrich our community with engaging professional theater, inspiring educational experiences, and thought-provoking new plays.
“We are such stuff as dreams are made on.” – The Tempest
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2025-26 SEASON BROCHURE
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THE CITY OF ORLANDO PROCLAIMS “JIM HELSINGER 30TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION DAY”
JUNE 10, 2025
CONTACT: Isabella Rodrigues, Public Relations and Marketing Manager
EMAIL: IsabellaR@OrlandoShakes.org
Artistic Director Jim Helsinger honored with “Jim Helsinger 30th Anniversary Celebration Day” on June 2, 2025, to celebrate three decades of outstanding leadership.
ORLANDO, Fla. — In recognition of three decades of excellent leadership and dedication at Orlando Shakes, the City of Orlando officially proclaimed June 2, 2025, as “Jim Helsinger 30th Anniversary Celebration Day.”
Before becoming Orlando Shakes’ Artistic Director in 1995, Jim acted in various shows at the then Orlando-UCF Shakespeare Festival, including A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Romeo & Juliet. Throughout his leadership tenure, Jim has directed/produced over 256 mainstage productions at Orlando Shakes, including his adaptations of A Christmas Carol, Frankenstein, The Modern Prometheus, and Dracula: The Journal of Jonathan Harker.
“The City of Orlando is proud to join in the recognition of Jim’s 30 years of leadership,” wrote Mayor Buddy Dyer. “We thank him for his countless contributions to our community and express our collective gratitude for his passion and commitment which have helped to shape a more vibrant and welcoming community for all.; now, therefore, I, Buddy Dyer, Mayor of the City of Orlando; do hereby proclaim June 2, 2025, as ‘Jim Helsinger 30th Anniversary Celebration Day’ in the City of Orlando.”
“It is a pleasure working alongside Jim,” said Executive Director Cheryl Collins. “His artistic leadership, collaborative spirit, and dedication to Orlando Shakes and the greater arts community have left an incredible mark. This celebration is a great honor.”
As a member of both the Actors’ Equity Association and National New Play Network, Jim is committed to advocating for professional actors and the arts, as well as new play development. He is also a valued faculty member of the University of Central Florida’s Theatre Department, where he’s taught over 2,340 pupils, 28 graduating classes, and over 100 Master of Fine Arts students.
“There are so many people to thank for the growth and success of Orlando Shakes – our audience, donors, staff, and volunteers,” said Jim Helsinger. “I’m so proud to be a part of it all, and I am deeply moved by this honor and recognition.”
Jim remains a driving force at the Lowndes Shakespeare Center, where his passion for Shakespeare and thought-provoking new plays continues to shine. Orlando Shakes and the City of Orlando proudly celebrate Jim Helsinger’s 30th anniversary as Artistic Director.
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ABOUT ORLANDO SHAKES
Now in its 37th season, Orlando Shakes, in partnership with UCF, is Central Florida’s largest non-profit professional theater, featuring classic, contemporary, and children’s plays at the John & Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center. Conveniently located in Loch Haven Cultural Park, just minutes from the heart of Orlando’s Mills 50 and Ivanhoe Village Main Street entertainment districts, Orlando Shakes is one of the region’s top date-night destinations. Visit OrlandoShakes.org to learn more about our annual Signature Series, Children’s Series, PlayFest, concert series, and immersive educational programming.** Orlando Shakes is sponsored in part by the City of Orlando, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, Orange County Government through the Arts & Cultural Affairs, and by United Arts of Central Florida, your local agency for the arts. Additional support is also provided by generous individual donors.
The mission of Orlando Shakes is to enrich our community with engaging professional theater, inspiring educational experiences, and thought-provoking new plays.
“We are such stuff as dreams are made on.” – The Tempest
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AWARD-WINNER NAT ZEGREE ADDS FOURTH PERFORMANCE TO ORLANDO SHAKES’ CONCERT SERIES
MAY 21, 2025
CONTACT: Isabella Rodrigues, Public Relations and Marketing Manager
EMAIL: IsabellaR@OrlandoShakes.org
AWARD-WINNER NAT ZEGREE ADDS FOURTH PERFORMANCE TO ORLANDO SHAKES’ CONCERT SERIES
First three shows of multi-talented showman sold out weeks before run;
Tickets now on sale for Saturday, June 7 at 3 p.m.
ORLANDO, Fla. — After selling out all three upcoming performances at Orlando Shakes, multitalented showman Nat Zegree has added a fourth performance of The History of Rock ‘n’ Roll at Orlando Shakes.
Tickets for The History of Rock ‘n’ Roll are now on sale for Saturday, June 7 at 3 p.m. His original show lineup on June 6-8 sold out well in advance.
“We are happy to announce an additional performance for Nat Zegree at Orlando Shakes,” said Artistic Director Jim Helsinger. “The demand has been very high, and we’re thrilled our patrons are just as excited as we are to witness Nat Zegree’s return to Shakes.”
The History of Rock ‘n’ Roll is part of Orlando Shakes’ 2025-26 concert series that features some of Central Florida’s finest entertainers performing in the Margeson Theater at Orlando Shakes, seating nearly 350 people.
Zegree is a multi-talented showman with such credits as playing Jerry Lee Lewis in Million Dollar Quartet for over 300 performances, Mozart in a live music production of Amadeus, and as a virtual singer for the Broadway hit Dear Evan Hansen. Zegree has also written 3 original musicals with Eric Holmes (CBS’s The Good Fight), including Fly More Than You Fall, which has received sold-out praise and 11 Broadway World awards in its pre-broadway engagements. This accomplished composer/recording artist will take Orlando audiences on a musical journey like no other in The History of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
“To see such an overwhelming demand for my show truly warms my heart,” said Nat Zegree. “I love the people of Orlando, and I love Orlando Shakes, so I could not be more excited to come rock it out with so many wonderful people! It’s going to be an absolute blast, guaranteed.”
Orlando Shakes will welcome the Bahamian Theater group, Shakespeare in Paradise, and their Music of the Bahamas August 2-3. A local favorite, Ricky Sylvia and The Buzzcatz, will perform two shows on September 27-28, and the concert series will wrap up with a Valentine’s Celebration February 14-15. Tickets are still available for all remaining concerts. To order, call 407-447-1700×1 or visit here.
The History of Rock ‘n’ Roll is sponsored by Janet & Bob Ziomek with additional support from Alvin Wang & Lorrie Culbertson.
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ABOUT ORLANDO SHAKES
Now in its 37th season, Orlando Shakes, in partnership with UCF, is Central Florida’s largest non-profit professional theater, featuring classic, contemporary, and children’s plays at the John & Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center. Conveniently located in Loch Haven Cultural Park, just minutes from the heart of Orlando’s Mills 50 and Ivanhoe Village Main Street entertainment districts, Orlando Shakes is one of the region’s top date-night destinations. Visit OrlandoShakes.org to learn more about our annual Signature Series, Children’s Series, PlayFest, concert series, and immersive educational programming.** Orlando Shakes is sponsored in part by the City of Orlando, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, Orange County Government through the Arts & Cultural Affairs, and by United Arts of Central Florida, your local agency for the arts. Additional support is also provided by generous individual donors.
The mission of Orlando Shakes is to enrich our community with engaging professional theater, inspiring educational experiences, and thought-provoking new plays.
“We are such stuff as dreams are made on.” – The Tempest