Shakespeare on the Green in Omaha, Nebraska

The Shakespeare On The Green Festival in Omaha, Nebraska is a pinnacle of summer for local residents, and a delight to visitors from all over the country. This free festival celebrates the work of William Shakespeare with professional, live daily performances in an open air theatre. More than 35,000 playgoers attend this festival annually for culture and fun in the great outdoors.

Shakespeare On The Green 2008 will be held beginning June 19^th and will run through July 6^th at Elwood Park, located just south of the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO). Plays to be performed this year are the Shakespearean favorites Much Ado About Nothing and King Lear. Much Ado About Nothing will be performed on June 19-22 and July 2 and 5. King Lear will be performed on June 26-29 and July 3 and 6. For more information on Shakespeare on the Green, e-mail mmarkey@nebraskashakespeare.com or visit www.nebraskashakespeare.com.

There is no charge for admission to any performance, and performances begin at 8:00 p.m. each night. If you plan on attending a performance at Elwood Park, it's a good idea to arrive early, as seating is on the lawn and is first come, first serve only. It's a good idea to pack bug spray and, if you'd like, a picnic or cooler with beverages.

The festival is comprised of two other activities, as well: Camp Shakespeare and the Towne Square. Camp Shakespeare runs concurrent to the Shakespeare On The Green festival from June 23 - July 6 at the UNO campus and Elwood Park, taking place from 9 a.m. to noon each day. The purpose of Camp Shakespeare is to familiarize children ages eight through eighteen with acting and the works of Shakespeare. The cost is $175.00 per child, and young performers are grouped into three different age brackets: Jesters (8-11), Apprentices (12-14) and Players (15-18). The Apprentices group is currently filled for this year; a waiting list has been started for those aged 12-14 who would like to participate. For more information or to register your child, go to Nebraska Shakespeare website.

When not relaxing on the rolling green of Elwood Park, most festival goers are enjoying themselves at Towne Square. The Towne Square opens at 7:00 p.m. each night. A Greenshow production can be viewed there each night, performed by the children of the adjoining Camp Shakespeare. Live musical performances can be enjoyed there, as well as food and souvenir vendors for those who want to take home a piece of the action.

The annual Shakespeare On The Green Festival is a great time for couples, families and individuals alike. Uniting playgoers under an open sky, this festival delights those familiar with Shakespeare and introduces those who aren't to the magic of his works. So grab a blanket, a cooler and the ones you love, and hit the Omaha Shakespeare On The Green Festival this summer.

Shakespeare On The Green, obtained May 27, 2008 from:

http://www.nebraskashakespeare.com/content/view/94/254/

Camp Shakespeare, obtained May 27, 2008 from:

http://www.unomaha.edu/camps/pages/shakespeare.php

Shakespeare On The Green: The Bard In The Open Air, obtained May 27, 2008 from:

http://www.wcities.com/en/record/,196209/323/record.html

Shakespeare On The Green, obtained May 27, 2008 from:

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-2829878-shakespeare_on_the_green_omaha-i

Shakespeare On The Green Shaken Up For 2007, obtained May 27, 2008 from:

http://media.www.unogateway.com/media/storage/paper968/news/2007/06/19/ArtsLeisure/Shakespeare.On.The.Green.Shaken.Up.For.2007-2916336.shtml