Two veteran South Florida actors who worked for The Public Theater and the original ‘Shakespeare in the Park‘ program of New York City’s Central Park joined a South Florida cultural organization, host Grace Arts Center, in 2020 to create the ‘Festival of Classics,’ free public theater in Florida.
After several iterations in Boca Raton, Stewart, Miami and now back in Fort Lauderdale for a third time, the seventh (7th) edition of Festival of Classics (FoC) features over forty (40) artists inspired by classical theater, literature and music.
Each ‘scene’ in the two hour program is introduced by M.C.’s who are well-known South Florida directors and producers. Audiences can interact with QR codes to find out more about each artist’s new production and original work, getting special discounts and entry into local theaters.
Featured plays include interpretations of ‘Hamlet,’ ‘Knock me a Kiss,’ ‘The Memorandum,’ Crowns,’ ‘Seussical,’ ‘Footloose’ and a delightful reprise of African American spiritual ‘Wade in the Water’ and the finale of ‘The Sound of Music’ along with other unexpected Shakespeare adaptations:
Othello
12th Night
The Tempest
King Henry IV
Romeo and Juliet
Companies include:
Shakespeare Troupe of South Florida, SeaChange Collective Theater, The Harden Family Project, New Cannon Collective, Florida International University (FIU), Miami Dade College (MDC), and University of Miami (UoM) drama programs, American Heritage High School Theater together with twenty-five (25) individual professional solo performers.
The popular weekly farmers market will also be in place all day for shopping and purchase of tasty snacks.
Bring a hat, umbrella and/or a portable chair with sunscreen. Limited free seating is available near the performance area in the center of the market near the corner of AIA and Las Olas Boulevard across the street from the Elbo Room.
Parking is available in the city parking garage just west of the Oceanside Park.