Shakespeare in the Park

Free Shakespeare in the Park is an annual event that is held at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. It is produced by The Public Theater and attendance is free.

Shakespeare in the Park includes two productions over the course of the summer, and one of New York City's most beloved summer traditions.

2018 Schedule

This summer is the 56th anniversary of Shakespeare in the Park at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. The Public Theater is elated to celebrate 400 years of William Shakespeare’s legacy with Free Shakespeare in the Park, beginning in May.

Othello  

May 29rd to June 24th

Tony winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson (Jitney, The Piano Lesson) returns to Shakespeare in the Park to direct a sumptuous new production of OTHELLO. Set amid war and palace intrigue in the 17th-century Mediterranean, this classic drama about a noble Black Venetian general whose marriage is sabotaged by theater’s most infamous villain, Iago, remains Shakespeare’s most urgent and relevant tragedy today. A lush, romantic vision gives way to the violent tangle of love and jealousy, race and revenge in this must-see production of Shakespeare’s great tragedy, OTHELLO.

Twelfth Night

July 17th to August 19th

Featuring music and lyrics by critically-acclaimed songwriter Shaina Taub, this very special TWELFTH NIGHT is a unique partnership between two Public Theater programs that exemplify The Public’s commitment to radical inclusion. Oskar Eustis, The Public’s Artistic Director, and Kwame Kwei-Armah, incoming Artistic Director of London’s Young Vic, helm this unforgettable musical about love in all its many disguises.

Time

All performances begin at 8pm.

Tickets

Tickets to Shakespeare in the Park are FREE and are distributed at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. Up to two tickets per person can be acquired in-person on the day of a performance when the box office opens at noon, up until curtain time. Please note that people do line up for tickets early as there is a limited availability. Alternatively, online reservations can be made by lottery for every performance.

Seat locations are distributed randomly.

Free tickets also are available in the following ways for every public performance, with seating locations in every section of the theater:

Location

The Delacorte Theater in Central Park is accessible by entering at 81st Street and Central Park West or at 79th Street and Fifth Avenue.