Frequently Asked Questions1. Who are you? We are the Orlando-UCF Shakespeare Festival, a non-profit organization. We are a professional theater that: Produces professional productions of Shakespeare,
classics and contemporary plays,
as well as 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 sixteenth year of operation, we have an annual operating budget of $2,200,000. 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, two newly renovated indoor theaters (The Margeson - 320 seats, The Goldman - 118 seats) at the Lowndes Shakespeare Center in Loch Haven Cultural Park and outdoors at the 950 seat Lake Eola Amphitheater in downtown Orlando. To see pictures of our theaters, go to: Stages. 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 (they built a new one) 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 65,000 tickets were sold to the 03-04 Season. For pictures of our center go to: Shakespeare Center. 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 Florida Youth Symphony Orchestra The Orlando Repertory Theatre, in partnership with UCF The Mennello Museum of Folk Art.
Click here for a map of directions 7. What’s your Season? When’s you Season?We perform September through May, including: Six Show Signature Series of Shakespeare and other classics Two Show Theatre for Young Audiences Series The Orlando Festival of New Plays, a ten day festival including readings, workshops and world premieres.
To see this year's season, go to: Box Office. 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?  Call us at 407-447-1700 x 1 or go to our online Box Office. 9. How do I join the mailing list?You can join our mailing list by filling out the form on our home page. Go to:
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 Festival artistic staff to UCF 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. To learn more about UCF, go to their website at: University of Central Florida. |
