Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
C. Douglas Ramey Amphitheater Central Park, Old Louisville 1340 South Fourth Street, Louisville, KY 40208 All shows are free and non-ticketed. Details at kyshakespeare.com
FROM THE THEATRE
“I like this place and willingly could waste my time in it.”
− As You Like It, Act II, sc. iv
Welcome to the 66th season of your Kentucky Shakespeare Festival, the longest-running, non-ticketed Shakespeare Festival in the United States, located right here in beautiful, historic Old Louisville.
Twenty-five summers ago, I first performed in this place, expecting to be in town for just a few months. But that summer, I fell in love with my future wife, this community, Shakespeare, and this incredible company. I fell in love with this shared human experience—the beauty of this gorgeous Olmsted Park, activated with outdoor theatre featuring timeless stories and rich language played by professional actors—all provided at no cost to audiences. Theatre for everyone!
In our increasingly isolated world as a result of reliance on social media and other distractions, many have written about the decline of “third places”, resulting in increased loneliness. “Third places” (those places outside of home and work) build our sense of community and belonging, enrich social interaction in a shared public space, and allow us to be more connected to each other.
Our summer season audience surveys illustrate some of this impact. As a result of visiting the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival last summer, 97% felt the community was positively impacted, 95% gained a better appreciation for and comfort level with the arts, 92% reported increased community pride, 88% felt more connected to others, and 83% felt less lonely as a result of their experience.
Please know you are welcome here, you belong here, and we hope to be your “third place” this summer and beyond – Home. Work. Kentucky Shakespeare.
As we work to fund the cost of providing this free, professional public service, if you’re able to and haven’t already, we invite you to consider joining us as a donor. Your donation allows us to “Keep Will Free” and extend our mission far beyond the Central Park stage - through education outreach programs, community work, indoor productions, and more. Join us at kyshakespeare.com/donate or Venmo to KeepWillFree.
Thanks for joining us tonight. We hope you create some special memories with us this summer.
Enjoy your magical evening under the stars!
Matt Wallace, Producing Artistic Director
2026 DESIGN & PRODUCTION TEAM
Director Antony and Cleopatra ................................................................................................................. Amy Attaway
Director As You Like It, The Two Gentlemen of Verona ............................................................................Matt Wallace
Assistant Director Antony and Cleopatra .......................................................................................... Crystian Wiltshire
Scenic Designer ........................................................................................................................................... Eric Allgeier
Lighting Advisor............................................................................................................................................ Casey Clark
Sound Designer .............................................................................................................................................. Laura Ellis
Costume Designer Donna Lawrence-Downs
Properties Manager Sam Powers
Choreographer, As You Like It
Megan Bliss
Choreographer, The Two Gentlemen of Verona/Dance Captain Mollie Murk
Fight Choreographer, As You Like It Justin Jackson
Fight Choreographer, Antony and Cleopatra Eric Frantz
Dramaturg/Editor; Composer, As You Like It Gregory Maupin
Intimacy Director .................................................................................................................................... Hannah Pruitt
Fight Captain ................................................................................................................................................... Tom Luce
Production Stage Manager ......................................................................................................................... Emily Kober
Bluegrass Production Studio: Technical Director ............................................................................................................................ Patrick Jump
Lead Carpenter ......................................................................................................................... Wesley Seiderman
Carpenters Zac Campbell-Hoogendyk, Zane Hall, Karl Anderson
Lead Scenic Artist Karl Anderson Painters Kathryn Spivey, Tara Midkiff
Carpenter/Deck Manager Austin Hinton
Costume Shop First Hand Kim Fillmore
Costume Shop Stitchers Charles Heightchew, Peyton Robbins
Sound Engineer ................................................................................................................................ Stephan Carpenter
Assistant Sound Engineer ........................................................................................................................ Zane Graham
Festival Manager .................................................................................................................................. Rachel Meadors
House Manager ........................................................................................................................................ Ian Fitzgerald
Front of House .......................................................................................................... Trace Henderson, Shelby Lomax
Production ................................................................................................................Ian Bischoff, Brennan Thompson
Properties.................................................................................................................................................... Mya Jackson
Charles/Lord/William ......................................................................................................... Justin Jackson
Orlando Nick Wills
Adam/Martext....................................................................................................................... Jon Huffman
Oliver ............................................................................................................................. Crystian Wiltshire
Jaques ......................................................................................................................................... Kyle Ware
Setting: 1599, Royal Court then the Forest of Arden
Director Matt Wallace is sponsored by Don Stevens and Libby Marbury
Scenic Designer Eric Allgeier is sponsored by Thomas Gerstle
Lighting Designer Lindsay Krupski is sponsored by Scott and JoAnn Haner
The role of Rosalind, played by Mollie Murk, is sponsored by Kerry and Kat Wang
The role of Orlando, played by Nick Wills, is sponsored by Thomas Gerstle
The role of Celia, played by Sasha Cifuentes, is sponsored by Phillip and Teri Allen
The role of Oliver, played by Crystian Wiltshire, is sponsored by Vivian Ruth Sawyer
The role of Jaques, played by Kyle Ware, is sponsored by Charlie and Jenny Marsh
The role of Touchstone, played by Neill Robertson, is sponsored by Mac and Jessica Thompson
The role of the Duchess, played by Abigail Bailey Maupin, is sponsored by Thomas Gerstle
The roles of Amiens/LeBeau, played by Gregory Maupin, are sponsored by Mac and Jessica Thompson
The role of Silvius, played by Shaquille Towns, is sponsored by Scott and JoAnn Haner
AS YOU LIKE IT
The Story
Sir Roland de Boys, recently deceased, had three sons: The youngest, Orlando, is being treated cruelly by Oliver, the eldest. (Middle children always get ignored but trust us when we say Son #2 has his moment.) When Oliver learns that Orlando has challenged wrestler Charles, Oliver lies to Charles, telling him Orlando will fight dirty and should be...taken care of.
Duke Frederick has recently deposed and banished his sister, Duchess Senior, and taken over. His daughter Celia is quite attached to Senior’s daughter, Rosalind, so Frederick lets Rosalind stay in court. The young ladies watch the aforementioned wrestling and Rosalind immediately falls in love with Orlando, who wins and immediately falls in love with Rosalind.
But: Frederick learns that Orlando’s late father was an enemy, and then the de Boys’ old servant Adam warns Orlando of a plot against him by Oliver, so they’re wise to flee to the Forest of Arden.
At the same time, Frederick, sick of her popularity, banishes Rosalind...who also flees to the Forest of Arden, accompanied by Celia and court fool Touchstone. For safety, Rosalind disguises herself as a young man (“Ganymede”) and Celia as his shepherdess sister (“Aliena”).
They like the looks of the forest and set up a home there thanks to Corin, a friendly old shepherd...not realizing how close they are to Duchess Senior, who is living in the woods “like Robin Hood” with her fellow exiled courtiers, including the surly/philosophical Jaques (pronounced “JAYkus” for British reasons). Separately, the Duchess’s meal is interrupted by Orlando, who demands food for himself and the ailing Adam and is immediately welcomed.
“Ganymede” and “Aliena” find “poems” (not good ones) by Orlando that he’s written about Rosalind and hung on the trees. “Ganymede” finds Orlando and proposes to cure him of his lovesickness by “pretending” to be Rosalind and letting Orlando woo “her” (Let’s assume “Ganymede” = Rosalind from here and knock off with the quotation marks.), so Orlando visits daily for lessons. In the meantime, a shepherdess named Phebe has immediately fallen for Ganymede, though a shepherd named Silvius desperately follows Phebe around. And country girl Audrey and the fool Touchstone have immediately fallen in, well, something that smells like love.
STOP HERE IF YOU DON’T WANT TO KNOW THE END!
Duke Frederick (wrongly) assumes all those disappearances into the forest were related and has ordered Oliver to find Orlando. Orlando manages instead to save Oliver’s life, and injure his own arm. Oliver relates this news to Ganymede and Aliena, causing Ganymede to faint and Celia to fall in love with Oliver (you won’t believe this) immediately. Rosalind is ready to call this game and has a plan to configure all these couples properly and quickly via some specifically worded promises from everyone involved.
On the day of the wedding(s), Rosalind reappears in women’s clothes (reveal!), reunites with her mother, and all the couples seem happy. And remember that middle brother? He returns from university with the news that Duke Frederick has had a religious conversion and become a hermit, meaning everyone can now return to their home, including you, but not until the wedding dance is over.
Octavia/Soldier ......................................................................................................................... Kate Drury
Pompey/Thidias/Soldier/Agrippa Understudy ......................................................................... Tom Luce
Setting: Egypt and Rome, the year 30 BCE
Director Amy Attaway is sponsored by Mac and Jessica Thompson
Sound Designer Laura Ellis is sponsored by Charlie and Jenny Marsh
Costume Designer Donna Lawrence-Downs is sponsored by Kerry and Kat Wang
The role of Cleopatra, played by Mary Baunjoko, is sponsored by Don Stevens and Libby Marbury
The role of Mark Antony, played by Zachary Burrell, is sponsored by Kerry and Kat Wang
The role of Octavius Caesar, played by Neill Robertson, is sponsored by Charlie and Jenny Marsh
The role of Charmian, played by Abigail Bailey Maupin, is sponsored by Drs. Gordon Strauss and Catherine Newton
The role of Enobarbus, played by Gregory Maupin, is sponsored by Rick and Becky Reed
ANTONY & CLEOPATRA
The Story
After Julius Caesar’s death (spoiler for another play), the Roman Empire is ruled by the Triumvirate: Mark Antony, Octavius Caesar, and Lepidus. Mark Antony commands the eastern Mediterranean and currently spends his time in Egypt, infatuated with its queen, Cleopatra (you’ve heard of her: remarkable ruling abilities and also affairs with the late Pompey, the late Julius Casear, and now Antony). But Antony and his general/confidant Enobarbus are forced to return to Rome, what with his wife Fulvia and her brother having tried to lead a rebellion against Octavius Caesar (Fulvia has since suddenly died), plus a whole separate rebellion attempt by Sextus Pompey (son of the previously mentioned Pompey). Cleopatra does not take his departure well.
In Rome, Antony and Octavius Caesar argue but eventually decide to cement their political partnership via a marriage between Antony and Octavia, Caesar’s widowed sister. Enobarbus refuses to believe Antony will desert Cleopatra and tells tales of Egypt. Peace is made with the rebellious Pompey, who entertains them all on his ship.
Cleopatra, with her attendants Charmian and Iras, receives news of Antony’s marriage. She does not take this well either but eventually calms, and the messenger manages not to get stabbed. By the time Antony and Octavia reach Athens, Caesar has revoked his treaty, attacked Pompey, and imprisoned Lepidus, breaking up the ruling triumvirate. Octavia returns to Rome to try to renew peace, and Antony goes on to Egypt to raise an army... with Cleopatra.
Caesar, angered by Antony’s abandonment of Octavia (and, who are we kidding, looking to be sole ruler of Rome), declares war. Despite Enobarbus’s advice, Antony decides to fight at sea instead of on land. At Actium, Cleopatra’s ships retreat. Antony follows. So does defeat.
A humiliated Antony eventually chooses to fight Caesar on land but omens of further defeat have demoralized his army. Even Enobarbus defects to Caesar’s side, but is soon so overcome with guilt that he dies in his grief. And at the battle, Cleopatra’s army retreats.
STOP HERE IF YOU DON’T WANT TO KNOW THE END!
Fearing Antony’s anger, Cleopatra hides in her monument and sends word that she is dead, hoping to win back his affections. Instead, a devastated Antony decides to die in the Roman manner, by falling onto his sword, but is only mortally wounded. Antony then learns Cleopatra is alive; he is taken to her and dies in her arms.
Cleopatra cannot bear the thought of being a Roman prisoner, so while Octavius Caesar believes she is trapped, she secretly acquires poisonous snakes, by which she and her attending women die. Caesar orders that Antony and Cleopatra be buried together. The Roman Republic is now dead, too, and Octavius is the sole Emperor.
Director Matt Wallace is sponsored by Vivian Ruth Sawyer
Lighting Designer Lindsay Krupski is sponsored by Charlie and Jenny Marsh
The role of Proteus, played by Crystian Wiltshire, is sponsored by Vivian Ruth Sawyer
The role of Julia, played by Kate Drury, is sponsored by Scott and JoAnn Haner
The role of Valentine, played by Justin Jackson, is sponsored by Tim and Dair Mathistad
The role of the Sylvia, played by Razaria Denae Copeland, is sponsored by “A Friend of Kentucky Shakespeare”
The role of Speed, played by Gregory Maupin, is sponsored by Don Stevens and Libby Marbury
The roles of Lucetta/Outlaw, played by Abigail Bailey Maupin, are sponsored by Steve and Lynne Rodeheffer
The role of the Duke of Milan, played by Jon Huffman, is sponsored by “A Friend of Kentucky Shakespeare”
TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA
The Story
Pals Valentine and Proteus say their goodbyes as Valentine departs for Milan. Proteus will not leave Verona, on account of it being where Julia lives. Valentine says this is a silly decision, which tells you he’ll be in love soon himself, correct? Valentine’s lackey, Speed, reports to Proteus that he has delivered Proteus’s letter to Julia’s maid, Lucetta, but receives no tip from her, which is no way to do things. Lucetta gives Julia the letter, which she treasures despite tearing it all to pieces, because love is complicated.
Proteus’s father decides to send Proteus to Milan, much to the sorrow of Julia and Proteus both. They exchange promises and rings. But this feels like a good place to say again that love is complicated. Launce, Proteus’s lackey, also prepares to leave, bringing along Crab, his dog. This relationship is also complicated.
Proteus arrives in Milan to find that, yessir, Valentine has fallen in love with Silvia, daughter of the Duke, who is not going to approve of this, as he has promised his daughter to Turio despite Turio being a vain buffoon she cannot stand. Proteus, who, again, exchanged rings and promises with Julia about two scenes ago, sees Silvia and is a goner, even going so far as to ruin Valentine’s chance with her, the rat.
Valentine and Silvia decide to elope in the time-honored dark-of-night, ladder-to-thewindow manner. However, Proteus blows this plot to the Duke, who nabs Valentine red-handed and banishes him. This would leave the field wide open for Proteus, except that Silvia considers him a scoundrel and a betrayer and, well, a rat. Launce’s love life, for the record, seems to be going fine as regards the maid he has eyes for, despite or perhaps because of her lack of teeth.
Back in Verona, Lucetta helps Julia to get a boy disguise that she may skedaddle to Milan as “Sebastian” (here we go again) to find Proteus, which indeed she does, only to become his go-between to collect a gift from Silvia. Silvia is herself planning a dash, and persuades the safe and honorable Eglamour to protect her on her search for Valentine.
STOP HERE IF YOU DON’T WANT TO KNOW THE END!
Valentine and Speed are captured by thieves who are decent sorts despite and who within five minutes make Valentine their captain. Silvia is also captured by the outlaws when Eglamour turns tail and runs. The Duke and Turio and Proteus and “Sebastian” come looking for and find Sylvia. Proteus rescues her but expects affectionate compensation. Silvia is clear in her refusal, Valentine stops him, Julia overhears and is revealed to be not one bit Sebastian via that ring from Verona. The lads make a couple of temporary but bad decisions (the complicatedness of love having been mentioned before, yes?). But the lovers are reunited, the Duke relents, the outlaws are pardoned, and after all that, the dog will still get more applause than anybody.
BIOGRAPHIES
ACTORS
MARY BAUNJOKO
(Cleopatra–ANTONY & CLEOPATRA; Hostess–TWO GENTLEMEN) is excited to return for her 3rd summer! Previous Kentucky Shakespeare roles: Duke in Comedy of Errors, Antonia in Much Ado About Nothing, and The Storyteller in Cymbeline. Recent performance credits: three witches shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing (Leonato) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Duke of Athens). Mary has over 30 years of experience as a performer, director, and teacher, and is currently the Art and Music teacher at Byck Elementary. She has an M.F.A. in theatre performance (UofL), as well as a M.Ed. in gifted and talented education (Georgetown College). Some notable roles: Helen of Troy in The Trojan Women, Perdita in The Winter’s Tale and Tonya in King Hedley II, Mary V Parish in Looking for Lillith’s Suffrage Walking Tour. This past spring, she directed Byck Elementary’s production of Willy Wonka Jr., in collaboration with Global Game Changers Student Empowerment Program. Mary is the proud mommy to two beautiful children, Aya and Micah Baunjoko. Mary would like to dedicate her performances this year to the memory of her beloved father, Henry Holt Jr.
ZACHARY BURRELL
(Antony-ANTONY & CLEOPATRA) has appeared in many of Kentucky Shakespeare’s summer festival shows, including Henry V (Henry V), Henry IV Parts One and Two (Prince Hal), Shakespeare in Love (Lord
Wessex), Twelfth Night (Sebastian), Romeo and Juliet (Paris), and Two Gentlemen of Verona (Valentine). He has also appeared in numerous KY Shakes indoor productions such The Importance of Being Earnest, Sense and Sensibility, The Woman in Black, Pride and Prejudice, Shakespeare’s R&J, Enter Ghost, Turn of the Screw, and Titus Andronicus. He has worked locally with Pandora Productions, StageOne, Derby Dinner Playhouse, and Theatre [502], and toured internationally with Artspot, a Buenos Aires based theatre company. Zach is also a local photographer, and thanks everyone for supporting local theatre.
SASHA CIFUENTES
(Celia–AS YOU LIKE IT; Iras–ANTONY & CLEOPATRA; Pantina/ Outlaw/Sylvia
Understudy–TWO GENTLEMEN) is elated to be back for her sophomore summer on the Central Park stage! She originally hails from Miami, FL, where her love for the arts and theatre was cultivated from a young age. She sharpened her craft at the University of Florida where she received her B.F.A. in TheatrePerformance. Sasha is an advocate for language access; she served as the Spanish Language Café facilitator for Louisville’s Office of Immigrant Affairs last spring. In Louisville, she has performed with Pandora Productions, StageOne Family Theatre, and Belle of Louisville. Her favorite recent acting credits include: Harriet Smith (Emma), Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin/Elizabeth Lavenza (Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein), Imogen (Cymbeline), Ophelia (Hamlet), Puck (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), and Evil Tina (She Kills Monsters). She would like to thank her family and friends for
BIOGRAPHIES
their unconditional love and support. “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”-MM
RAZARIA DENAE
COPELAND (Audrey/ Court Attendant–AS YOU LIKE IT; Maecenas/ Cleopatra UnderstudyANTONY & CLEOPATRA; Sylvia–TWO GENTLEMEN) is going into her Second Year as a Graduate Candidate in the M.F.A. Performance Program at the University of Louisville. She is OVERJOYED to be in the park this summer! Razaria Denae recently moved to the Louisville area after graduating with her B.A. Theatre in May of ‘25. Previous credits include Pipeline (UofL), Blues for an Alabama Sky (UofL), Metamorphoses (Edinburgh Festival Fringe), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Anderson University), and Our Town (Anderson University). She credits her passions to the Deaf and Hard-ofHearing performers she grew up watching. She will continue to study the language and culture around Louisville in hopes to combine her passions and support deaf projects.
KATE DRURY (Phebe/ Court Attendant/ Rosalind Understudy–AS YOU LIKE IT; Octavia/ Soldier–ANTONY & CLEOPATRA; Julia–TWO GENTLEMEN) is thrilled to be back for her second summer with Kentucky Shakespeare! Previous credits with the company include last summer’s Much Ado About Nothing (Hero), Hamlet (Marcellus/Player), and Cymbeline (Helen),
and last winter’s indoor show, Emma (Jane Fairfax). She has also appeared around town as Logainne in Spelling Bee (Derby Dinner Playhouse) and as a Squirrelle in Elephant and Piggie: We Are In a Play! (StageOne Family Theatre). Other favorite credits — As You Like It (Nashville Shakespeare Festival), Dames at Sea (Citadel Theatre). A Nashville native, she is a graduate of both the Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts, and of Northern Illinois University. She gives all love and thanks to God, her family, friends, and mentors, and hopes you enjoy the show!
MARQUISE
HILLMAN (Lord/2nd Brother/ Orlando Understudy–AS YOU LIKE IT; Canidius–ANTONY & CLEOPATRA; Ensemble/ Outlaw/Proteus
Understudy–TWO GENTLEMEN) is so excited to be making their KY Shakes debut! Marquise is a current graduate student at the University of Louisville working on their master’s in performance and certification in African American Theatre. They are originally from Madison, Mississippi, and graduated with their B.A. in Theatre with a minor in dance from the University of Southern Mississippi. Marquise spent many years as trombone and euphonium player, performing across the world, and as a theme park character performer, puppeteer, dancer, and singer, as well as an actor and instructor at many regional theatres across the Orlando, Florida, area. Past credits: The Witch (Into the Woods), Ronnette (Little Shop of Horrors), Guy Jacobs (Blues for an Alabama Sky), and Asaka (Once on this Island). They are a 2021 BroadwayWorld Nominee, 2026
BIOGRAPHIES
Irene Ryan Nominee, and the winner of the Henegar Theater’s Golden Apple award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Grease).
JON HUFFMAN (Adam/ Martext–AS YOU LIKE IT; Lepidus/Schoolmaster/ Merchant-ANTONY & CLEOPATRA; Duke of Milan–TWO GENTLEMEN)
Statistically speaking, it’s likely that Jon was a professional actor before you were born. He’s acted all over the country, including New York and L.A., in every venue possible. Ask him about his favorite role, though, and he won’t talk about the many feature films he’s worked in (with many Oscar winning actors and directors). He won’t choose, as his favorite, any of his roles on Emmywinning television shows, or in his stints as soap opera bad guys. He won’t even choose any of his leading roles in musical theatre productions across the U.S. The truth is, Jon’s favorite role has been his role as Company Member at Kentucky Shakespeare. In his seasons in Central Park Jon’s had the chance to play the greatest characters created by the greatest playwright, alongside the most dedicated and talented theatre-makers anywhere, in one of the most beautiful theatre spaces in the world. Statistically speaking, Jon is one of the luckiest actors in the known universe.
JUSTIN JACKSON (Charles/Lord/William/ Fight Choreographer–AS YOU LIKE IT; Agrippa/ Antony Understudy–ANTONY & CLEOPATRA; Valentine-TWO GENTLEMEN) grew up yearning for
superpowers and watching endless marathons of Men in Black. Unsurprisingly, he pursued an acting degree at Savannah College of Art and Design. After graduating, he returned home and tried writing an anime—only to realize that required a full team of animators he didn’t have. By 2020, his participation in BLM marches evolved into playing Romeo in Actors Theatre of Louisville’s Romeo & Juliet: Louisville 2020. Since then, he’s been a steady presence on Louisville’s stages, recently playing Max Halliday in Derby Dinner Playhouse’s Dial M for Murder, Bob Cratchit (and more) in Actors Theatre of Louisville’s A Christmas Carol, and Mr. Woodhouse/Frank Churchill in Kentucky Shakespeare’s Emma. He trains in Escrima and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and owes his love of Shakespeare to his grandmother. “I love you, so. I miss you, so.”
TOM LUCE (Duke Frederick/Corin–AS YOU LIKE IT; Pompey/ Thidius/Soldier/Agrippa understudy–ANTONY & CLEOPATRA; Antonio/ Outlaw–TWO
GENTLEMEN) has been an active part of the Louisville theatre scene since 1984 when he arrived to play Ferdinand in Shakespeare in Central Park’s production of The Tempest. His more recent roles with them, now the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival, include the title roles in Julius Caesar and Henry IV, Parts One and Two, Tom Snout in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Lord Capulet in Romeo and Juliet. In the decades that followed his arrival, he has worked for over a dozen local theatre companies as an actor, director, and designer. Tom was
BIOGRAPHIES
the technical director for several years at Presentation Academy, building sets for his life partner, Charlie Douglas, Pres’s drama director for whom the theatre is now dedicated and named. He has also had an active film and television career with roles on as well as over 20 feature films, including the role of Mr. Reynolds opposite Rain Pryor in the Holiday Feature Millions—Christmas.
UNLEASH LUCK
ABIGAIL BAILEY MAUPIN
(Duchess
Senior–AS YOU LIKE IT
Charmian-ANTONY & CLEOPATRA; Lucetta/ Outlaw–TWO
GENTLEMEN) Kentucky Shakespeare roles include: Beatrice, Lady Macbeth, Kate, Queen Margaret, Titania, Olivia, Jaques, Gertrude, Mrs. Ford, Goneril, Speed, the Duke of Bourbon, Cymbeline’s Evil Queen, and Mercutio, the Nurse, and Lady Capulet in Romeo and Juliet (in three separate productions). Abigail and her husband Greg have co-founded two local theater companies, Wingback Productions and the late, lamented Le Petomane Theatre Ensemble. As Wingback, they create and perform two-actor classics (thus far Christmas Carol, Jekyll & Hyde, and a noir Macbeth) in living rooms and intimate spaces around Louisville; they also comprise Prohibition-era musical duo Rannygazoo. Regional and New York credits: Dracula (Renfield), 43 Plays for 43 Presidents, and My Fair Lady at Actors Theatre of Louisville; Sweeney Todd (Goodspeed Opera House); Babes & Dudes, Die Like a Lady (NY International Fringe Festival); Iolanthe (Village Light Opera Group, NYC); Gift of the Magi
BIOGRAPHIES
(Vermont Stage Company), Hansel and Gretel (Theatreworks/USA).
GREGORY MAUPIN
(LeBeau/Amiens–AS YOU LIKE IT; EnobarbusANTONY & CLEOPATRA; Speed-TWO GENTLEMEN) returns as actor and dramaturg. He and his wife Abigail (see previous bio) are Rannygazoo, singing Prohibition ukulele songs, bringing theater into people’s homes (including Macbeth this October and A Christmas Carol in December), and performing their Top-Shelf Story Hour every month at Vines Wine Bar (details at RannygazooProductions.com). In 2004 they co-founded Louisville’s Le Petomane Theatre Ensemble. He is co-founder of the Church of Grover’s Corners, which should be self-explanatory. Kentucky Shakespeare appearances include: Much Ado (Benedick 2017, Dogberry 2025), Twelfth Night (Feste 2022; Malvolio 2016), Tempest (Caliban), Midsummer (Bottom), Taming of the Shrew (Petruchio), As You Like It (Touchstone). With Actors Theatre: A Christmas Carol: Ghost Story (solo); Luna Gale (Cliff), At the Vanishing Point (Martin), Our Town (Simon Stimson), Midsummer (Flute), Macbeth, 43 Plays for 43 Presidents. Gregory is a graduate of Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theatre.
MOLLIE
MURK
(Rosalind–AS YOU LIKE IT; Alexas/Soldier/ Dolabella–ANTONY & CLEOPATRA; LaunceTWO GENTLEMEN) is a proud Louisville transplant from Illinois, and has worked at Kentucky Shakespeare as an actor,
teaching artist, and artistic associate. Recent Kentucky Shakespeare credits include Hamlet (Hamlet), The Importance of Being Earnest (Gwendolen), The Comedy of Errors (Adriana), Romeo & Juliet (Mercutio), Sense & Sensibility (Elinor), Macbeth (Lady Macbeth), Pride & Prejudice (Lizzy). Other regional credits: Macbeth (Macbeth) at Shakespeare & Company, Taming of the Shrew at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, and Actors Theatre of Louisville’s A Christmas Carol, King John, The Wolves, Dracula, and Are You There? in the Humana Festival. Directing credits include She Kills Monsters (Pandora Productions), As You Like It (three witches shakespeare), and assistant directing at Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Mollie has also performed and taught at companies such as Hope Repertory Theatre, Derby Dinner Playhouse, Louisville Ballet, Ambo Dance Theatre, Louisville Fringe, and Seattle Children’s Theatre. Mollie is an alum of Hope College and Shakespeare & Company’s Center for Actor Training, a proud member of the Ring of Keys Network.
NEILL ROBERTSON
(Touchstone–AS YOU LIKE IT; Octavius CaesarANTONY & CLEOPATRA; Thurio–TWO GENTLEMEN) has happily been acting with Kentucky Shakespeare since 2015! Previous shows with the company include Cymbeline (Cloten), Romeo and Juliet (Friar Lawrence), The Tempest (Ariel), Sense and Sensibility (Fanny/Sir Jon Middleton), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Flute), Macbeth (Hecate), Love’s Labor’s Lost (Moth), Pride and Prejudice (Wickham, Collins, Caroline) Twelfth Night (Toby), Richard III (Richard), Henry VI (Richard),
BIOGRAPHIES
King Lear (Edgar), The Comedy of Errors (Dromio of Syracuse), Richard II (King Richard), Titus Andronicus in Butchertown (Saturninus), The Winter’s Tale (Autolycus), Romeo and Juliet (Tybalt), and The Taming of the Shrew (Tranio), as well as the spring tours of Hamlet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Julius Caesar. Neill has also been seen around town with Actors Theatre of Louisville, StageOne Family Theatre, Derby Dinner Playhouse, Walden Theatre, This Bridge Theatre Co., Pandora Productions, Theatre [502], and Savage Rose Classical Theatre Co. For Alfie, always!
SHAQUILLE TOWNS
(Silvius/Court Attendant–AS YOU LIKE IT; Soothsayer/Eros/Soldier–ANTONY & CLEOPATRA) is extremely excited to be returning to the Kentucky Shakespeare stage! Shaq is a local actor and a graduate from AMDA NY, where he studied the art of acting and musical theater. Since graduating, he has toured and performed on multiple stages around the country, including locally: Derby Dinner Playhouse, Pandora Productions, StageOne Family Theater. Notable credits include Hairspray (Seaweed), Dreamgirls (C.C. White), You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown (Schroeder), 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Mitch Mahoney), Choir Boy (Pharus Young), A Raisin in the Sun (Asagai). Some of his credits with KY Shakes: Romeo and Juliet (Benvolio), Twelfth Night (Sir Andrew) A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Demetrius) and Shakespeare’s R&J. He dedicates his performance to his mother. Love and thanks his friends and home community for all the encouragement.
KYLE WARE (Jaques–AS YOU LIKE IT) is an actor, educator, artist, and writer. Acting credits with the company include Romeo and Juliet, The Tempest, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Macbeth, Hamlet, The Winter’s Tale, Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead, Titus Andronicus, Henry IV Parts 1 & II, Much Ado About Nothing, Shakespeare in Love, Henry V, and The Merry Wives of Windsor. Kyle is now in his eleventh year as the director of the Globe Players professional training program, directing their productions of Julius Caesar, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Much Ado About Nothing, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Twelfth Night, The Merchant of Venice, As You Like It, Romeo & Juliet, and The Comedy of Errors. He has served as the Director of Education at Kentucky Shakespeare since 2014 and received the 2023 Barbara Cullen Theatre Educator Award. He is Co-Artistic Director of Think Tank Theatre, a collaborative theatre ensemble, and was a Producing Founding Artistic Director of Le Petomane Theatre Ensemble. He is a graduate of the University of Louisville.
NICK WILLS (Orlando–AS YOU LIKE IT; Demetrius/ScarusANTONY & CLEOPATRA; Eglamour/Valentine Understudy–TWO GENTLEMEN) is a professional stage/film actor, teacher, and musician originally from Los Angeles, California. He grew up in Fayetteville, Georgia, attended Troy University for his undergraduate degree, and received
his M.F.A. in Theatre Arts from the University of Louisville. He has worked on several TV shows from channels such as Discovery ID, BET, Oxygen, and more, as well as being featured in various roles in film. This is his fourth year working with Kentucky Shakespeare Festival.
CRYSTIAN WILTSHIRE
(Oliver–AS YOU LIKE IT; Assistant Director-
ANTONY & CLEOPATRA; Proteus–TWO GENTLEMEN) is from Brooklyn, New York, and proud to call Louisville home. With Kentucky Shakespeare, Crystian recently played Laertes in Hamlet, Mr. Knightley in Emma, and Victor Frankenstein in Frankenstein. He has also appeared in Dracula and A Christmas Carol at Actors Theatre of Louisville, and Hamlet at StageOne Family Theatre in a co-production with Kentucky Shakespeare. Recently, Crystian directed Kentucky Shakespeare’s 2026 Spring Tour of The Tempest, and he is entering his fourth year as Co-Facilitator at Shakespeare Behind Bars. Other regional credits include Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (Levee), Fences (Cory), and Pride and Prejudice (Mary/Bingley) at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, Kill Move Paradise (Tiny) at Know Theatre of Cincinnati, and Matt and Ben (Director) with the Untitled Louisville Theatre Company.
TILLY (Crab–TWO GENTLEMEN) is PAWsitively thrilled to be making her Kentucky Shakes debut in Two Gentlemen of Verona! This, however, is not her professional stage debut. You may
recognize her from Derby Dinner Playhouse, where she played Sandy in Annie two summers ago. Tilly is a proud rescue from the Anderson Humane Society! When not onstage, she enjoys doing agility, swimming, hiking, and playing with her toys. She is a very good girl and would like to thank the production team for this PUP-portunity. All the love to her siblings Tuck, Winnie, Peaches, and Clementine, and her moms! Though Crab may be “the sourest-natured dog” in Verona, Tilly herself is anything but!
DIRECTORS
AMY ATTAWAY (Director–ANTONY & CLEOPATRA) proudly serves as the Associate Artistic Director of Kentucky Shakespeare. This is her 13th summer in Central Park and her 10th season as the facilitator of Shakespeare with Veterans. For Kentucky Shakespeare: The Taming of the Shrew, The Winter’s Tale, Richard II, Henry IV Parts I & II, Henry V (twice), Richard III, Macbeth, The Comedy of Errors, and Hamlet in Central Park; The Importance of Being Earnest and Emma in Actors Theatre’s Pamela Brown Auditorium; Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead, Pride and Prejudice, and Sense and Sensibility at the Bomhard Theater; The War of the Worlds and Night of the Living Dead at Louisville Public Media; Henry VI: The Wars of the Roses at Ky Shakes HQ; and the spring tours of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Macbeth, Hamlet (twice), and Julius Caesar. Amy sometimes sneaks away to direct at her alma mater, the University of Evansville (Twelfth Night, The Royal Society of Antarctica). She co-founded the local company Theatre[502], where she directed the regional premieres of The Fairytale Lives of Russian Girls, River
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City, Red Speedo, Auctioning the Ainsleys, Broadsword: a heavy metal play and Futura, as well as the world premiere commissions The Two Lobbyists of Verona and The Stranger and Ludlow Quinn. Amy spent five seasons as Associate Director of the Professional Training Company at Actors Theatre of Louisville, where she directed several commissioned works in the Humana Festival of New American Plays, including Sleep Rock Thy Brain, Oh, Gastronomy! and The End. Amy is a Louisville native and is glad to make her home here with her fantastic husband and daughter.
MATT WALLACE (Director–AS YOU LIKE IT; TWO GENTLEMEN) is in his thirteenth season as Producing Artistic Director of
Kentucky Shakespeare, where he has directed 35+ productions including Much Ado About Nothing, Cymbeline, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Romeo & Juliet, The Tempest, Untimely Ripp’d: an immersive macabre Macbeth experience, The Woman in Black, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Love’s Labor’s Lost, Enter Ghost: an immersive haunted Hamlet experience, Twelfth Night, The Merry Wives of Windsor, Shakespeare in Love, The Turn of the Screw, Shakespeare in the Parking Lot: Macbeth, Celebrate 60: the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival Anniversary Production, King Lear, The Comedy of Errors, Othello, Titus Andronicus, Julius Caesar, Macbeth, Hamlet, and Richard III. Favorite acting credits with the company since 2001 include the Player
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and Guildenstern in productions of Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead, Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing, Orlando in As You Like It, and his first shows with the company in 2001Lysander in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Dumaine in Love’s Labor’s Lost. He has also been Director of Shakespeare Behind Bars Kentucky programs since 2009. Previously, he served as an Artistic Associate with Kentucky Shakespeare from 2001-2010, was Director of Children’s Theatre at Derby Dinner Playhouse, and directed and performed at Chicago theatres and theatres across the Midwest. Matt met his wife Tina Jo at Kentucky Shakespeare 25 summers ago, proposed to her on this Central Park stage, and they are the proud parents of two inspiring 18 and 20-year-old young adults!
DESIGN AND PRODUCTION TEAM
GIANNA ALCALA (Assistant Lighting Supervisor) is a Theatre Arts Major at the University of Louisville, focusing on Lighting Design and Electrics. She has worked on shows like Blues for an Alabama Sky (Asst. Lighting Designer), As You Like It (Stage Manager), and Pipeline (Co-Lighting Designer). She has also worked at Kentucky Shakespeare as the summer Lighting Intern and is excited to return as the Assistant Lighting Supervisor!
ERIC ALLGEIER (Scenic Designer) is a Louisville native and has been a freelance scenic designer for over 25 years. He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre from Western Kentucky University, a Master of Fine Arts degree in Scenic Design from Boston University, and a Master of Arts in Teaching from
Spalding University. Eric was the scenic design faculty member at the Youth Performing Arts School from 20062019. Some theatres Eric has worked for include San Francisco Opera, Opera East Texas, Florida State University, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Kentucky Opera, The Louisville Ballet, Wolftrap Opera, Boston Playwright’s Theatre, Pandora Productions, and The Liminal Playhouse. For Kentucky Shakespeare, he has designed Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, The Importance of Being Earnest, and Emma, and is excited to be back for his third summer season.
COLTON BACHINSKI (Lighting Supervisor) is thrilled to be back in Central Park! In Louisville, Colton has worked as the Lighting and Audio Lead at StageOne Family Theatre, a Freelance Electrician and Carpenter, and Lighting Designer for CenterStage, Highview Arts Center, and several other local groups. Colton studied Theatre Arts at UofL and outside of KY has served as the Electrics Supervisor at the Winnipesaukee Playhouse and Lead Electrician at PCPA. When he’s not at the theatre, you can find him making baked goods, hanging with his friends’ pets, and playing board games!
MEGAN BLISS (Choreographer–AS YOU LIKE IT) is thrilled to be joining Kentucky Shakespeare for a third season. You may have seen her work at several local theaters including Derby Dinner Playhouse, StageOne, Music Theater of Louisville, CenterStage, New Albany High School, and Floyd Central High School. Some favorite projects include (DDP): Hairspray, Singing in the Rain, Matilda, The Music Man, Jesus Christ Superstar (Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre): The Pirates of Penzance and The Music
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Man, Newsies, and Joseph…Dreamcoat (StageOne). When not choreographing, she is a Dance Instructor at Weber School of Dance, Math Coach at Slate Run Elementary School, and Math Curriculum Chair for New Albany/Floyd County Elementary Schools. She sends her love to her favorite humans on the planet: Tyler, Marina, and Kahler.
STEPHAN CARPENTER (Sound Engineer) is a filmmaker and theatre artist based in Louisville. This is his fourth season with Kentucky Shakespeare, and he is so excited to be back in the park with this amazing and talented group of people! Outside of here, Stephan is the Program Coordinator and Box-Office Manager for the University of Louisville’s Department
of Theatre Arts as well as the resident sound engineer for Pandora Productions. When he’s not backstage making theatre, he’s making films with his new production company, Cinema Family Productions.
CASEY CLARK (Lighting Advisor) M.F.A., is bowing out with many fond memories, great shows and the best Company ever. I am super excited to see Lindsay work, and I hope she stays for the next 30 years. I will not miss the middle-ofthe-night focus and cue notes sessions! I will miss the people, the collaboration and the thrill of the moment everything comes together. I will remain a friend and supporter of KSF. As for the Bard, well, my first journey with him was literary…. hmmm. As always, enjoy the show and I’ll see you there!
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JESSE CRULL (Wardrobe Supervisor) is returning for their second season at Kentucky Shakespeare Festival this year. Since last season, they have been working wardrobe with fellow theatre companies, like Actors Theatre of Louisville, Kentucky Opera, and StageOne. They are excited to be returning this season for another great Summer in the park.
UPCOMING EVENTS
September 30-October 25, 2026
US Premiere of The Haunting by Hugh Janes, adapted from the ghost stories of Charles Dickens at Kentucky Shakespeare’s Headquarters TICKETS NOW ON SALE AT: kyshakespeare.com/season/thehaunting
FALL 2026
Louisville Free Public Libraries tour of Living History: We the People
January 15-24, 2027
Louisville Premiere of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women by Lauren Gunderson at Actors Theatre of Louisville’s Pamela Brown Auditorium presented in partnership with Actors Theatre of Louisville
TICKETS ON SALE NOVEMBER 1 AT: kyshakespeare.com/season/littlewomen and at actorstheatre.org
February 6, 2027
Kentucky Shakespeare’s Shakespeare in Love Gala at 21c Museum Hotel
March 2027
Shakespeare in the Libraries Two-Actor Tour
April–May 2027
Shakespeare in the Parks: Romeo and Juliet Tour
May 26–August 8, 2027
67th Season of Kentucky Shakespeare Festival in Central Park
LAURA ELLIS (Sound Designer) is in her eleventh season designing sound for Kentucky Shakespeare, but she’s felt like she belonged here for much longer, because she was in the audience, and that makes you a part of this community. Laura is a Peabody Award-winning producer and sound designer who’s worked in audio since 2004. Laura also does sound design for Pandora Productions and Looking for Lilith, and produces audio journalism with Louisville Public Media. She lives with her wife Jonese in South Louisville, where they’re outnumbered by four perfect dogs named Barkley, Radar, Lamar and Wendell.
KIM FILLMORE (First Hand). After an initial 5 seasons in the costume shops of both Kentucky Shakespeare and the Louisville Ballet, followed by 8 years leading to retirement, Kim Fillmore is thrilled to once again be able to follow her passion in the costuming world. She is excited to return as First Hand for the Kentucky Shakespeare 2026 season.
IAN FITZGERALD (House Manager) is delighted to return to the team this summer! He graduated from University of Louisville in 2025 and works locally as an actor, director, and general theatre maker. Recent work includes I Wooed Thee with my Sword (Director, three witches shakespeare), The Tempest (Antonio/Ferdinand/Trinculo, Kentucky Shakespeare), The Cherry Orchard (Lopakhin, Imemorabili Theatre), Domesticate (Mr. Crawl, Bunbury/this Bridge Theatre), and MacBeth (2nd Witch, three witches shakespeare).
ERIC FRANTZ (Fight Choreographer–ANTONY & CLEOPATRA) is excited to work
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with Kentucky Shakespeare again this summer! He has been a stage combatant and choreographer in Louisville for over 20 years. Eric is grateful to have the opportunity to work with Amy Attaway and Kentucky Shakespeare. This will be his first time choreographing Antony and Cleopatra. When he’s not fighting, Eric is the Events Planner for the Nichols Branch Library in Bullitt County KY. Eric would like to say a big thank you to everyone at Kentucky Shakespeare for making Central Park such a wonderful place for theatre!
ZANE GRAHAM (Assistant Sound Engineer) is a Theatre Arts Major at the University of Louisville and a freelancing technical theatre worker. This is his first season working with Kentucky Shakespeare, and he is very excited to contribute to its local legacy. At UofL, he has worked on shows such as She Kills Monsters (Sound Designer), Much Ado About Nothing (Sound Designer), Miss Holmes (Sound Designer), and The Love of Three Oranges (Sound Designer). He has also worked as a freelancer for various institutions and venues in the city, including Actors Theatre, Pandora Productions, and Paristown Hall. Outside of the theatre, he likes to skate around Old Louisville, read in the sunshine, and work as a sound recordist for the local film company Cinema Family Productions.
CHARLES HEIGHTCHEW (Stitcher) is happy to be with Kentucky Shakespeare again. He started his costume career at The Louisville Ballet and StageOne Children’s Theatre. After working for OTSL, Santa Fe Opera and Virginia Opera he was head of costumes for Boston Ballet for two decades. He has designed for many theaters including Vienna State Ballet and Scottish Ballet. He has worked
in theatre, opera, film, and ballet, and has his own men’s accessories company OneMagnificentBeast.
AUSTIN HINTON (Carpenter/Deck Manager) is honored to be returning for his third season with KY Shakespeare. His passion for the arts started at The Stephen Foster Story in 2011 when he played a munchkin in The Wizard of Oz. In 2019 Austin transitioned from the stage to the crew and quickly found his true passion. He graduated in 2024 from ECTC and has pursued lighting and technical jobs working with KY Classic Arts, Stephan Foster, Highview Arts, Butler HS, North Oldham HS, Derby Dinner, and Stage One since then. He would like to thank all who have taught him the ropes of backstage life and helped him find his passion.
JUSTIN JACKSON (Fight Choreographer–AS YOU LIKE IT). See bio under Actors.
BRENDA JOHNSON (Gift Shop Manager) has been volunteering and working with the Festival for over forty-five years. She enjoys spending time with her family which also includes her daughter, Holly and son-in-law Pete. She cherishes time with her wonderful friends, Connie, Jeanine, Linda, and Marty and has adopted two very energetic kittens Buddy and Sally! She hopes that you will all come back again and again and volunteer! Help us to keep Douglas Ramey’s vision alive by making your own history under the stars in Central Park!
SNAP A PHOTO WITH YOUR PLAYBILL?
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PATRICK JUMP, BLUEGRASS
PRODUCTION STUDIO
(Technical Director/Scenic Construction/Painting) provides technical and logistical support for theatrical productions. We have supported over 200 theatre productions in the Louisville and Southern Indiana region since its founding in 2020. We aim to elevate shows by supporting the creative community in bringing their visions to the stage through the services like scenic design and construction, lighting, sound, and more. We consider it a privilege to play a role in showcasing local talent and preserve the theatre tradition for future generations.
EMILY KOBER (Production Stage Manager) is thrilled for her 5th summer with KSF! She’s originally from Texas, and is so thankful to the arts community for welcoming her in & making Kentucky feel like home. Emily stage managed the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival since 2021, as well as their winter productions of The Importance of Being Earnest, Pride and Prejudice, and Sense and Sensibility, before joining the staff year-round as the PSM in 2025. Working with Kentucky Shakespeare every day is a dream, and she’s so thankful to work with a company so devoted to its team & its mission. Other local credits include work with StageOne Family Theatre, Kentucky Opera, the Louisville Ballet, Pandora Productions, and Infinity Productions. Emily thanks her family for their love and support, and a special thank you to her husband, Nash, for always rolling with the crazy.
LINDSAY KRUPSKI (Lighting Designer) is honored to be picking up the torch from Casey in her first season as lighting
designer. In addition to five summer seasons as lighting supervisor and many indoor shows with Kentucky Shakespeare, Lindsay’s work has been seen all over Louisville, including Kentucky Opera (Scalia/Ginsburg, Pygmalion), three witches shakespeare (Macbeth, As You Like It), Stage One (The Lightning Thief, The Giver, Bunnicula, Number the Stars), and Ambo Dance Theatre (KY Dance Festival, The Graham Cracker) . Lindsay grew up in Wisconsin and holds a B.F.A. from UW-Milwaukee. In her free time, Lindsay loves crocheting and listening to Taylor Swift. She is so grateful for every opportunity to do what she loves!
DONNA LAWRENCE-DOWNS (Costume Designer) has designed the costumes for Kentucky Shakespeare for the last twelve seasons, including all the summer festival productions as well as all spring tours and indoor productions, including The Importance of Being Earnest, Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Woman in Black, Enter Ghost, Turn of the Screw, Shakespeare in the Parking Lot: Macbeth, Titus Andronicus, Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead, Twelfth Night, The War of the Worlds, and Night of the Living Dead. Donna has designed over 400 shows for more than 31 theatres in her 35-year career, including a stint at KSF in the 1990’s, 17 seasons with StageOne Family Theatre, 14 seasons with Music Theatre Louisville, CenterStage, Bellarmine University, Louisville Ballet, Kentucky Opera, and Pandora Productions. One of Donna’s favorite projects is designing costumes for Shakespeare Behind Bars, which she has done for the last 13 years. Donna and her husband also own Life is Sweet Small Batch Treats Bakery.
GREGORY MAUPIN (Dramaturg/Editor; Composer-TWO GENTLEMEN). See bio under Actors.
RACHEL MEADORS (Festival Manager) is a local stage manager, actor, and teaching artist. She is delighted to be returning to work with Kentucky Shakespeare for a second year as Festival Manager and sixth with the company! Most recently she stage managed Kentucky Shakespeare’s spring tour, The Tempest, and ASM’d the fall show, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, and winter show, Emma. Other local credits include The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Stage One, wardrobe), La Traviata (The Kentucky Opera, dresser), The
shakespeare, ASM), and As You Like It (three witches shakespeare, Denis/Corin). Rachel would like to thank Kentucky Shakespeare for all the opportunities and her partner Max for being along for the ride.
MOLLIE MURK (Choreographer-TWO GENTLEMEN). See bio under Actors.
SAM POWERS (Properties Manager) is excited to be returning to the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival! He is a Kentucky native who grew up just outside of Louisville. Sam managed props for the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival for the past two years as well as for their indoor shows Untimely Ripp’d, The Importance of
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artisan at Actors Theatre of Louisville on Party People, Loving and Loving, Dracula, Flex, and A Christmas Carol.
HANNAH PRUITT (Intimacy Director) has been a part of the Kentucky Shakespeare team since 2012 and currently serves as the Director of Creative Engagement where she trains our Artist Educators, creates curriculum for workshops and residencies, cultivates relationships with arts education advocates, and leads her favorite KS program - Camp Shakespeare! Hannah has completed her training to become a certified Intimacy Director with Intimacy Directors and Coordinators, Inc. and is in her working mentorship program with them. As the Resident Intimacy Director with the company,
some of her work has been seen in Shakespeare’s R&J, Sense & Sensibility, Romeo & Juliet, The Comedy of Errors, and the Macbeth Spring Tour - among others. In the community, she has recently worked as the Intimacy Director with the University of Louisville’s Theatre Department (The Love of Three Oranges), three witches shakespeare (Much Ado), Looking for Lilith (Just Cause), and Derby Dinner Playhouse (Singin’ in the Rain). Hannah hails from the lovely city of Henderson, KY and she graduated from the University of Louisville with a B.S. in Theatre Arts. To connect with her, visit hannaheileenpruitt.weebly.com.
PEYTON ROBBINS (Stitcher) is thrilled to be returning to Kentucky Shakespeare as a stitcher for their third season with
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the company. In between seasons they have worked in technical theatre as a carpenter at Stage One Family Theatre, as a stitcher and dresser at Kentucky Opera, and as front of house at Actors Theatre. When they’re not working backstage they perform onstage and co-produce Queer to Tell Louisville. They are so grateful to be returning to the company that brought them to Louisville and are excited for another amazing summer in the park!
ISABELLA SCHOTT (Administrative Assistant) is a director and theatre artist new to the Louisville theatre scene and is so excited to be back for her second summer at Kentucky Shakespeare! In her time not spent in Central Park or the KY Shakes office, she is building up two other start-up theatre companies in the greater Kentuckiana area: Incarnatus Performing Arts and Imemorabili Theatre. This summer she is directing The Importance of Being Earnest with Incarnatus and will be stage managing Tartuffe with Imemorabili. And finally, she wants to thank everyone at Shakes once again for another amazing summer!
AMBER STAFFORD (Assistant Stage Manager) is thrilled to join the KSF team this season! Originally from Northeast Ohio, and a former Louisville native, she has spent the last two and a half years in Salt Lake City, Utah, dipping her toes back into the theatre world after a long hiatus. Recent work includes A Case for the Existence of God (Pioneer Theatre Company, ASM) and Come from Away (PTC, Production Assistant).
CRYSTIAN WILTSHIRE (Assistant Director–ANTONY & CLEOPATRA) See bio under Actors.
BEKKI JO SCHNEIDER INTERN COMPANY
MEREDITH AUSTIN (Kids’ Globe) is a rising sophomore at Union University and a GSA ‘24 Visual Arts alumnae. While a high school student at Whitefield Academy, she participated in eight plays and did everything from serving as stage manager to acting in her favorite role as Jo March in Little Women.
GRAYSON BEVERLY (Education: Globe Players) is a rising sophomore at the University of Louisville pursuing his B.S. in Theatre Arts. At UofL, he wears many hats – he is the Assistant Production Manager, a scene shop student, and often a performer as well. Grayson is an alum of the Globe Players Program and is thrilled to be working with Kentucky Shakespeare again this summer!
IAN BISCHOFF (Production) is an undergraduate Theatre Arts major at the University of Louisville with a focus in acting and stage management. He has been the Master Carpenter for many of UofL’s productions since Spring 2024, and has already worked professionally as a carpenter and stage manager around Louisville. Ian is excited to be working with Kentucky Shakespeare and plans on taking his skills into future professions when he graduates in Spring 2027.
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RAZARIA DENAE COPELAND (Acting). See bio under Actors.
RACHEL DISNEY (Education: Camp Shakespeare) is a junior Performance Major at the University of Evansville. While her focus has always been acting, her interests have expanded to all areas of the theatre, including costume design, scenic construction, and theatre education. Her favorite Shakespeare role she has played was Friar Laurence in Romeo and Juliet.
TRACE HENDERSON (Front of House) is going into his third year, studying acting (B.F.A.), at Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music (CCM). He’s done a variety of Shakespeare work with Stage One Conservatory and the Youth Performing Arts School. He is currently working with Imemorabili Theater here in Louisville, between semesters!
MARQUISE HILLMAN (Acting). See bio under Actors.
MYA JACKSON (Props) is a current student at the University of Louisville studying theatre. She is focused on acting primarily and is excited to explore other avenues this summer!
CAYMAN KELTING (Electrics) is currently pursuing a B.F.A. in Theatre Design and Technology with a focus on lighting design. His recent experience includes university productions as a designer and lead electrician. He is excited to be part of this season.
SHELBY LOMAX (Front of House) is incredibly excited to join Kentucky Shakespeare as a front-of-house intern! As rising junior at the University of Evansville studying Theatre Management and Sociology, she has served as Ticket Operations Manager for the 20252026 season and as the publicist for The Humans. After graduation, Shelby hopes to get her masters in non-profit administration and enter the world of non-profit theatre!
SOPHIA LONNON (Arts Administration) is from Louisville and a rising second-year student at the University of Cincinnati studying Marketing and Public Relations. She has experience in theatre as a playwright, stage manager, and director throughout high school, and is excited to combine her passion for the arts with her interest in business through this role.
MAGGY LOUDERBACK (Stage Management) is a rising junior Theater Production, Design, and Technology major with a Stage Management minor at Ohio University. OU Student Productions: Contrapposto (Stage Manager), Blue Birds (Stage Manager):
PHOTO BY JOSEPH MAYS
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OU Productions: The Real Inspector Hound (Production Assistant): Tantrum Theater: Inherit The Wind (Assistant Stage Manager). Maggy is very excited for her internship at Kentucky Shakespeare and a summer to remember. She wants to thank her Grammy, her mom, and her Aunt Jeanne-Marie and Uncle Todd for
of Louisville, with a focus on Theatre and Fashion Design. She has worked on shows like Blues for an Alabama Sky (Asst. Costume Designer), As You Like It (Makeup & Wardrobe), Into the Woods (Asst. Costume Designer), and has also been Wardrobe Master for the UofL Theatre’s ’25-’26 Season! She is interning
KENTUCKY SHAKESPEARE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Board Chair
Anya Bond-Beckley Givaudan Sense Colour
Vice Chair
Michelle Jarboe Healthpeak Properties
Treasurer/Finance Committee Chair
Brad Comer Republic Bank
Secretary Lincoln Snyder Humana
Immediate Past Chair
Kay Madrick Kentucky Humanities
Events & Promotions Committee Chair
Randall Caldwell Norton Audubon Hospital
Community Engagement & Development Committee Chair
Paula O. Lockhart, MFA community liaison
Nominating & Governance Committee Chair
Alan K. MacDonald FBT Gibbons LLP
Education & Outreach Committee Chair
Charley Nold White Clay
Sara Smith Bowman community liaison
Meghan Greenwell Caplan
MG Caplan Strategic Philanthropy
Elizabeth A. Cherry community liaison
Emilee Crawford LG&E and KU Energy LLC
Jonese Franklin BirdNote
McKenzie Gary RoamVista LLC
Pamela Holwerda PNC Bank
LaShondra Hood University of Louisville African American Theatre Program
Tracy E. K’Meyer University of Louisville History Department
Stephen Kubiatowski CareATC
Craig Schmitt Brown-Forman
Jodi Smiley Environs Inc.
Monalisa Tailor, MD Norton Healthcare
Kerry Wang Aetna
Phillip Allen, Emeritus AJ Capital Partners
Mera Cossey Corlett, Emeritus Okolona Baptist Church
David James, Emeritus Jefferson County Sheriff
Jonathan Smith, Ex-Officio Hanover College
KENTUCKY SHAKESPEARE STAFF
Matt Wallace Producing Artistic Director
Amy Attaway Associate Artistic Director
Kyle Ware Director of Education
Hannah Pruitt Director of Creative Engagement
Emily Kober Production Stage Manager
Beth Tantanella Merrick Bookkeeper
2025 - 2026 EDUCATION TEAM
Artist Educators
Eli Borwick, Robert Erdman, Madison Harmon, Ashley Wingo
Associate Teaching Artists and Instructors
Abby Ferree, Gregory Maupin, Keith McGill, Mollie Murk
Spring Tour, The Tempest
Ian Fitzgerald, Maria Krasel Cardona Morales, Leonard Peterson III, Tim Pollack, Maya Woodruff; Rachel Meadors, Stage Manager; Jenny Reyes, understudy
MISSION
Grounded in the works of Shakespeare, we enrich communities through accessible, inclusive, professional theatre experiences that educate, inspire, and entertain diverse audiences.
VISION
To use Shakespeare’s truths and the power of the arts to transform lives. Shakespeare belongs to everyone.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Kentucky Shakespeare acknowledges we are situated on the traditional land of the Adena, Hopewell, Miami, Osage, Shawnee, and ᎠᎳᎫᏪᏘᏱ Tsalaguwetiyi (Cherokee, East) people. We respect their enduring presence and historical stewardship of these lands.
ANTI-RACISM STATEMENT
As artists and educators, we are committed to holding the “mirror up to nature,” while creating a safe and welcoming space at our performances, in the community, and in the classroom. We recognize racism and inequality in our community and the country, and we commit ourselves to anti-racism. We believe that Black lives matter. We commit to outreach and inclusion of people of all abilities, races, creeds, religions, genders, and sexual identities. We acknowledge that we are a non-profit arts organization grounded in the works of Shakespeare and commit to exploring Shakespeare’s truths while never losing sight of the fact that not all experiences emanate from a white European vantage point. We commit to deeply listening to our BIPOC community members, within and outside of our organization. We commit to learning, never being satisfied, and creating positive change – proactively committing our efforts and resources to building anti-racist, inclusive, equitable, and empathetic spaces and experiences for all.
ABOUTKentucky Shakespeare serves communities through the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival in Central Park, education programs for schools, public performances, and community outreach programs. Currently in its 66th season, the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival in Central Park is the longest-running free, non-ticketed Shakespeare festival in the United States. As the most comprehensive in-school arts education provider in the Commonwealth, Kentucky Shakespeare serves schools throughout the region with interactive educational programming directly tied to academic standards, helping impact student achievement. Our many community programs explore conflict resolution, empathy building, and communication, in a range of settings from parks to prisons, from preschools to senior centers.
What we do:
• PERFORMANCES: Kentucky Shakespeare Festival in Central Park, Shakespeare in the Parks tour, Shakespeare in the Libraries tour, indoor productions during the year
• EDUCATION PERFORMANCE AND WORKSHOP TOUR: Two-Actor The Tempest, Shakespeare Alive!, The Tempest spring tour, Voice of Social Change: Ira Aldridge, Living History: We the People, Living History: Kentucky History, Bard Buddies, Fairy Tales from Around the World, Hip-Hop Shakespeare, Conflict Resolution and Anti-Bullying, Acting Fundamentals, Stage Combat, Staging Shakespeare, Renaissance Dance, Discovering Shakespeare, Mathematics of Shakespearean Design, and Voices of Youth.
• CAMPS AND CLASSES: Camp Shakespeare, Shakespeare Off the Page
• COMMUNITY PROGRAMS: Shakespeare with Veterans, Juvenile Justice Arts Program, Survivorship Shakespeare, Hosparus Program, Community Residencies
Kentucky Shakespeare has been recognized by the Folger Library and the Kentucky Humanities Council for exemplary programming, is a multiyear recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Shakespeare in American Communities program, and is a past recipient of the Kentucky Governor’s Award in the Arts. Kentucky Shakespeare has been awarded multiple LEO Weekly Reader’s Choice Awards, Broadway World Louisville Regional Awards, Arts-Louisville Awards, the Center for Nonprofit Excellence’s Art of Vision Pyramid Award, the Louisville Awards in the Arts Bobby Petrino Family Foundation Arts Impact Award, and the Arts for All Kentucky Community Partner Award for arts inclusion work with people with disabilities.
Douglas Ramey Amphitheater | 1340 S. Fourth Street | Central Park, Old Louisville
AYL As You Like It
A&C Antony and Cleopatra
SD Shakespeare in Dance: Hamlet & Ophelia
2GV The Two Gentlemen of Verona R&J Romeo and Juliet
Interpretation
“If money go before, all ways do lie open.” – The Comedy of Errors
PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION TO KENTUCKY SHAKESPEARE TODAY!
Scan the QR code: Now on Venmo! @KeepWillFree
Scan the QR code: kyshakespeare.com /donate
Mail: Kentucky Shakespeare 616 Myrtle Street Louisville, KY 40208
In Person: Visit Will’s Gift Shop at the back of the amphitheater tonight to make credit card or cash donations!
THE STRATFORD SOCIETY
The Stratford Society is open to supporters who donate a gift of at least $1,564, in honor of the year Shakespeare was born. Stratford Society members serve as key community ambassadors for Kentucky Shakespeare, keeping Shakespeare in the Park free for everyone. As a member, you will enjoy exclusive previews, premieres, receptions, opportunities for theatre and theatre-themed excursions. For more information or to join the Stratford Society, please call Producing Artistic Director Matt Wallace at 502.574.9900 or email matt@kyshakespeare.com.
“…not of an age, but for all time!”
− Ben Jonson on William Shakespeare
Did you know August is National Make-A-Will Month? Please consider including Kentucky Shakespeare in your will through estate planning, stocks, insurance, endowments, and all legacy preparation. If you have already made provisions for us in your estate plans, please let us know, as your foresight makes you a charter member of Stratford Society Legacy. Help Keep Will Free as part of your legacy, for generations to come!
Contact Producing Artistic Director Matt Wallace, matt@kyshakespeare.com, 502.574.9900, ext. 12.
2025 - 2026 DONORS
Kentucky Shakespeare, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, relies on the support of our community to provide free Shakespeare and multiple outreach programs. All donations are tax-exempt. We would like to thank the following individuals for their generous support in the 2025-2026 fiscal year!
STRATFORD LEGACY
The Max Baumgardner Charitable Trust, in support of the Bekki Jo Schneider Intern Company
STRATFORD ROYALTY
Anonymous
Thomas Gerstle
Scott and JoAnn Haner
Charlie and Jenny Marsh
Don Stevens and Libby Marbury
Vivian Ruth Sawyer
Mac and Jessica Thompson –White Clay
Kerry and Kat Wang
STRATFORD NOBILITY
Phillip and Teri Allen
Ellen Morrison Kelley, in memory of William “Tex” Wells, company member 1976-1977
Tim and Dair Mathistad
Carol Pye
Rick and Becky Reed
Steve and Lynne Rodeheffer
Drs. Catherine Newton and Gordon Strauss
STRATFORD SOCIETY
Anonymous
The English-Speaking Union, Kentucky Branch
Charles and Sheelah Anderson
Alan and Kathy Attaway
Richard and Karen Berglund
Turney P. Berry and Kendra D. Foster
Anya Bond-Beckley
Sara Smith Bowman
Laura and Michael Bryant
Randall Caldwell
Meghan and Ari Caplan
Elizabeth A. Cherry, dedicated to the Cherry, Mack, and Siebert Families
National Dinner Theatre Association, in memory of Bekki Jo Schneider
Mark Allen
Jane Austen Society, Greater Louisville Region
Laura Beasley
Belgravia Court Association
Stephen and Sharon Berger
Edith S. Bingham
Mark Blessinger
Bonhomme Foundation
Meredith Brown
Larry Church & Chris Kirkland
Jonathan and Rebecca Cohen
Dennis Coyne
Shawn and Hallie Dade
Clarice A. Denoux
Melissa and Ken Draut
Kristin Ems
Tom and Karen Haswell Fenton
South Fourth Street Association
Carl Friesen
Jan Gonder
Lynn and Bob Graham
Sally-Ann Greenfield and Bruce Smith
Greg and Kim Greenwood
Paula Harshaw
Clare Hirn and David Henry
Hollan Holm
Shirley Howard
Tom and Patty Huckaby
Ben Jensen
Breck and Rhonda Jones
Jim and Jeanette Kays
Julie Leskiv
Todd Lowe and Frances Ratterman, in honor of Amy’s good work!
Phil and Susan Lynch
Cathy and David Mekus
Dan Minton, in honor of Amy and Shakespeare with Veterans
Andrew and Ashley Noland
Scott and Rachel Ormsby
Patrick and Debbie Peak
Robert C. & Penelope P. Pearson
Sally Phennicie
Meg and Louie Prestigiacomo
South Fourth Street Association
Mitch and Cindee Rapp
Julian Roeder
Olivia Roberts
Ben and Cathy Robertson, in honor of Donna Lawrence-Downs
Jacqueline Rosky
Denis and Cathy Roux
David Shaw and Michelle Seiffertt
Dr. and Mrs. Harwell F. Smith
Jonathan Smith
Second Street Neighborhood Association
Terry and Sue Strange
Carolyn Tandy
Margaret Tanguay and Family
Kimberly and David Taylor
Beverly Tilmes
Linda Valentine
Betsy Vick
Beth and Don Wagner
James and Lisa Wakeley
Jim and Marianne Welch
Rory Whitaker
Skip White
Nick Wilkerson
Prof. Elaine O. Wise
Richard Wolford
Stephen and Coretta Wolford
EARL
Anonymous (5)
Janet Abell
Dr. Garrett and Lane Adams
Emma Aprile and Andrew Rosenthal
Louis and Connie Anton
Sheila Ashley
Jim and Beverly Bartlett Turner
Kathleen and Jim Berger
C. Barret Birnsteel
Arthur Thomas Blanford
Julie Boatright and Todd Turner
Bill Bolte
Ron Loughry and Beth Breetz
Mattie and Bob Brown
Bonita Brownlow
John and Kati Brundage
Russell Byrd
Lucinda Carlson
Robert and Carol Carnighan
Jessica Caudill
Lynn E. Chapple
Gilbert D. Cheatham
David R. Clark
Kelly Clark
Terrence Cody
R. Kent Collard
Clarice Connelly, in memory of Bekki Jo Schneider
Jeff and Marjorie Conner
Jill Cooper
Jim Crosetti and Mary Conner
Irwin and Carol Cutler
John David Dyche and Laura C. Harbolt
Bev and Woody Edwards
Kerri Daly
Judith Danovitch and Nick Noles, on behalf of David Noles
Vincent and Kathleen Decker
Lynne Dowling
Dave Dunaway
John David Dyche and Laura Harbolt
Ashley Eklund
Gary and Sharon Hinkle
Sherry M. & Joseph W. Feldpausch
Deborah R. Feger
Fox-Boots Family
Leslie and Gregg Fowler
Heather French
Cheryl Froula
Mr. Greg Fischer and Dr. Alexandra Gerassimides
Amanda Fuller and Justin Mog
Larry and Ricky Gettleman
Dr. Greg and Keiren Gillum
Robbin and Steve Goodin
Diane Haag, in memory of Dr. John Gatton
John Hamilton
Susan Hamilton and Ed Krebs
Lynn Hampton and Dennis Auld
Patricia and Chris Haragan
Dr. Tom Harper
Carol Hartlage
Dawn and Dennis Hershberger
Gary & Sharon Hinkle
Alan and Sally Junkins
Robin Kaukas
Elizabeth Kelly
Shannon and Chris Kelting
Benjamin King
Cynthia Knopp
Mathew and Carrielee Koole
Mary Korfhage
Andrea Kyle
Peter Lansing
Jacob and Brittany Lanter
R. Gwyn Lavin
Eve Bohakel Lee
Paul and Geraldine Lenzi
Abby Long and Kelly Wilkinson
Angela and Ron Long
Kathleen and Mark Mattingly
The Linus and Cossett McClendon Foundation
James and Lauren McDonald
Karrie and Darren McKinnon
Beth Merrick
Alfred and Lark Mull
Jeff Noble
Chip Nold and Cindy Read, in memory of Joann R. Read
Bill and Brandy Norton
Oakley Family
Judy Olliges
Hal and Julia Park
Tory Parker
Matthew Rasnake
Austin Readhoff
Corey Richter
Karen and John Rippy
Julian Roeder
Jeanne-Marie and Todd Rogers
The Romig Family
Brian and Denise Ross
Denis and Cathy Roux
The Ryley Family
Jimmy Soto and Lisa Schmid
Curt and Beth Schuman
Kyle and Amanda Seaton
Gordon and Carolyn Seiffertt
Mr. & Mrs. Michael D. Shain
Paula Sharpenstein
Robb and Anna Shrader
Dr. and Mrs. Harwell F. Smith
Stephen R. Spanyer
Dr. Thomas J. Spech and David G. Jones
Don Stewart
Christina Stottmann
Beth Boesche-Taylor and David Taylor
Emily and Finn Turner
Susan and David Vislisel
James and Lisa Wakeley
Sam Weissrock
Mary Jo and Mike Whelan
Jim and Claire Williams
Teresa Willis
Prof. Elaine O. Wise
Nicholas and Mary Wiss
Nancy & Tom Woodcock
Sarah Yost and Brian Phillips
Herbert Zimmerman
Daniel Zink
Benjamin Zinninger
KNIGHT
Anonymous (7)
Jen Adam
Ann T Allen
Ron and Svea Allgeier
Bridgette Alvarez
Mark Amick and Allie Kerns
Will Armstrong, in loving memory of John Spalding Gatton
Peter Arnberg
Pamela Baete
Angie Ballard & Robert Goins
Rita Bell
Frank & Miranda Bencomo
Sue and Kim Bentley-Jonason
Alex Beruscha
Jennifer Blair
Jenny Bodenbender
Whitney and Hank Boles
Terry Bondurant and Rick Logston
Jack and Brenda Brammer
Cennet Braun
Laura Brawner
Rosemary Cundiff-Brown and Jonathan Brown
Lee Burchfield
Sara Louise and Dan Callaway
Kristy Calman
Larry Cashen
David and Candy Cherry
Robert Ching
Rhy Cundiff
Anthony Curtis
Laryssa Cybriwsky
Robert Darst, in memory of Sylvia Darst
Deborah Davidson
Susan Dawson
Father Patrick Dolan
Constance Dorval-Bernal
Jon A. Doukas
Joe Drescher
Kathleen and Terry Driskell
Jordan Dye
Gentry Easley
Margaret Eckerle
Maria Bardolf Eckerle
Bev and Woody Edwards
Katie Edwards
Larry and Angie Edwards, in honor of Ramona Johnson
Catie Eichhorn
Uwe and Kathy Eickmann
Amy Elam-Krizan
Dan Johnson & Tom Elkas
Sam and Jill Ellington
Jacob and Susan Ems
Liz and Wes Fehler
Meg Fister
Terese Fister
Bill and Georgia Flarsheim
Mary Ford
Mary Forsee
Lindsay Vaught Fouts
Ashley Freeman
Barbara Friedland
Carmen Fullenlove
Amanda Fuller and Justin Mog
Theresa Fultz
Clark and Julie Gable
Liza Galler
Teresa Gamble
Gordon Garner
Tony and Laura Garrett
Heather Gatnarek
Ingrid Gentry
Stephanie Gibson
The Gillies Family
Dr. and Mrs. Richard Goldwin
Denita Gotowicki
Kate Grindon
John Guthrie
Pam and Tim Hackett
Barbara and Ed Haines
Joseph and Shannon Hamilton
Patricia and Chris Haragan
Charlotte Harmon
Eric, Katy Marie, & Heidi Heick
Stan and Peggy Henderson
Amy and Dan Hill
Gary and Sharon Hinkle
Cathy Hinko
Ashley Hite
Janet and Albert Huber, in memory of Peter Tanguay
Linda Hudson
Mark Huffine
Cate Gaglio Inge and James Inge III
Elaine Jack
Corey Capps and Abigail Johnson
Dawn Kammerling
Gail and Dick Kaukas
Erin Keane and Drew Zipp
Scott Ketterer and Ashley Huke-Ketterer
Georgette Kleier Hottois
Todd Kleber
Yvonne Knight
Karen Knight-Wilburn
Patrick Koshewa
Michael and Jeanne Kovatch
Scott Kremer
Anna Kunzler and Bruce Scott
Jeff and Susan Layman
Leboeuf Family
Chance Le Meur
Levinson-Wallen Family
Annie and Greg Likins
Lana Lindsey
Zane Lockhart, Jr.
Thad and Lynn Luther
Leilani Martin
Annette Mattingly
Colette and Chris Mattingly
Tamara Mazzoccoli
Jim McArthur
Jim McCabe
Dave McCay
Patricia and Kevin McDowell
Keith McGill
Sean McGlone and Lyndi Lou
Karrie and Darren McKinnon
Richard and Tanya McKnight
The Linus and Cossett McClendon Foundation
Creighton E. Mershon, Jr.
Marilee and Bob Miller
Mary Ann Miller
Robert H. Miller
Robert Mitchell
Diana Mitchen
Pamela Anderson Moore
Beverly Moore
Carla Motes
Dave Murk
Pat and Adele Murphy
William Nalley
William C. Nash
John Neichster
R.L. and C.R. Neumayer
Mark and Robyn Newstadt
Lan and Dustin Nguyen-Colgate
Patrick and Agnes Noonan
Marcia Kirtland Nottke
Anna Olson and Richard Hinton
Corey O’Brien
Linda and Bruce Otto, in honor of 50 years of attendance
John Payne and Ann Masterson-Payne
Jennifer Payton
Amy Elizabeth Pedigo
Stuart Perelmuter and Elizabeth Sawyer
Bethany Planton
Steven Prince
Ann Ramser
Melanie Ratliff
William Callis Reed
Nancy Renick and Barry Kornstein
Cynthia and Ronald Rigby
Julian Roeder
Thomas Roma
The Romig Family
Virgil Rosell
Olivia Rosewood
Joseph and Mary Rotella
Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Rounsavall III
Diane Rowley
Matthew Ruben
Vernon Sandell
Dana Sands
Richard Sands
Robin Schalda
Christon and Brian Segal
Robin Schalda
Greg and Robyn Sekula
Sandra Shanaberger and Will Warner
Nancy & Ben Shiner
Robb and Anna Shrader
Faith Helen Cherry Siebert & Rick Ellis
Griffin David Siebert
Mark and Patricia Sinkhorn
Maureen Slaton
Annie and Sam Sorsa
Mary Margaret Sparks
J. Isaac Spradlin
Kimberly Springmier
Sara Stalkus
Vashti Standridge
Jen Starr and David Taylor
J.C. States and G. Russo
Bill Stemmle
Troy Stephens
Bradley Stevenson
David and Deborah Stewart
Becky Stotts
Susan Stoy
Duncan, Colleen, and Mike Strauss, in honor of Gordon Strauss
Pam Sullivan
Rosalie Surtees
Phillip and Esther Tamplin
Cindy Thomas
Mark Thomas
Lawrence Toebbe, in memory of Rose Mary
Chris and Mary Alice Tolbert
John and Shirley Uhl
Lisa Underwood
Linda Valentine
Dina Vuturo
Ross Walton
Benjamin Webster
Niles Welch and Ann Waterman
Cynthia Welch
Jeremy and Amy Wells
Erin White
Carole P. Whitledge
Jessie Whitish
Michael Widerschein
Bronwyn Williams and Mary Brydon-Miller
Lawrence “Larry” Williams
Shawn and Kevin Williams
Nickolas, Deidre, and Pheebs Winslow
Fawn Wisick
Katy Yocum
Tammy Young
Marc and Ann Zakem
David and Mary Beth Zickel
THEATRE SERVICES
RAIN & WEATHER POLICY
Performances will not be canceled before 7:30PM. Weather-related announcements will be made in Central Park and on Kentucky Shakespeare’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
In the event of lightning without rain, stage lights may be shut down and work lights turned on until lightning has ceased. In the event of rain, we will hold for a 15-minute rain delay. After the delay, Festival staff will make the decision whether or not to continue the production.
In the event of severe or threatening weather, the audience will be informed of any warnings that exist over the house microphone. In the event of approaching inclement weather, you will be instructed by an announcement from the Production Stage Manager indicating the best method of exit. For your safety, please leave the amphitheater in a calm and orderly manner using the sidewalks.
Performances may be canceled or delayed due to extreme heat, as well.
ACCESSIBILITY
Accessible ramps, parking, restrooms, and wheelchair seating are available for patrons with disabilities.
ASL interpretation will be provided for the following performances: Thursday, June 4 for As You Like It, Thursday, June 25 for Antony & Cleopatra, Thursday, July 9 for The Two Gentlemen of Verona, and Thursday, July 30 for the Globe Players Romeo and Juliet. (If show canceled due to inclement weather, the makeup rain date will be the following evening – Friday.)
Large format programs are available upon request at the Kentucky Shakespeare gift shop.
For those with sensory sensitivities, noise canceling headphones for both youth and adults, and sensory play items are available. Please visit the gift shop or ask a front of house staff member. Sensory guides for each production are available at the gift shop or from a front of house staff member.
Pre-show sensory/tactile tours for the visually impaired are available during the summer.
Contact Director of Education Kyle Ware for more information at 502.574.9900 or email kyle@kyshakespeare.com.
RESTROOMS
For your convenience, wheelchair accessible restrooms are located at the rear of the amphitheater. Public restroom facilities are maintained by Metro Parks. Women’s restrooms are located on the north side of the building, adjacent to Will’s Tavern. Men’s restrooms are located on the south side of the building, facing the police substation.
GIFT SALES
Please take a moment to visit Will’s Gift Shop at the rear of the amphitheater under the pergola. Cash, check, Apple Pay, and major credit cards accepted.
SHOW CONTENT/SUITABILITY
Kentucky Shakespeare Festival in Central Park is a family-friendly event for all ages. For specific show content, see below or contact the office at 502.574.9900 or info@kyshakespeare.com.
CONCESSIONS
Please take a moment to visit the Food Trucks at the rear of the amphitheater provided by the Louisville Truck Association. Various food trucks will be in the park nightly from 6:00 p.m. until just after intermission. Cash and credit cards are accepted. The Association generously donates a portion of proceeds to Kentucky Shakespeare. Check our website daily for rotating food truck schedule at kyshakespeare.com/events. You’re also welcome to bring your own picnic too (no outside alcohol is permitted.)
BAR
Kentucky Shakespeare offers Brown-Forman products, Viña Concha y Toro wines, and West Six Brewing for sale at the rear of the amphitheater in Will’s Tavern through the end of intermission. Cash, check, and major credit cards accepted. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed to be brought in or taken out of the amphitheater designated perimeter. Please enjoy your beverages responsibly inside the amphitheater perimeter.
SMOKING
Smoking is not permitted within the amphitheater and must take place outside of the amphitheater perimeter/audience seating area.
THEATRE SERVICES
CAMERA & RECORDING DEVICES
During the performance, the taking of video and flash photography are prohibited, however you are welcome to take photos during the first half of this evening’s performance, and if you post them, be sure to tag Kentucky Shakespeare.
GET INVOLVED
Become a volunteer and support Kentucky Shakespeare! Visit our website or contact us today by phone at 502.574.9900 or email info@kyshakespeare.com.
PETS
Pets are welcome, we just ask that you clean up after your pet and make sure your pet is on a leash. As a courtesy to audience members, we ask that you sit in the back picnic tables, or side grass area.
For more information and updates throughout the year, please visit kyshakespeare.com or follow us on social media: Facebook and YouTube: @KentuckyShakespeare | Instagram: @kyshakespeare
6:00 p.m.
Food Trucks Open
CENTRAL PARK
NIGHTLY SCHEDULE
7:00 p.m.
Will’s Tavern, Will’s Gift Shop, & Kids’ Globe open
7:15 p.m. Community Pre-Show Performance 8:00 p.m. Production begins
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
As You Like It - May 27-31; June 3-7; June 10-14; July 15, 18, 21, 24
Antony & Cleopatra - June 18-21; June 24-28; July 14, 17, 22, 25
The Two Gentlemen of Verona - July 2-3, 5; 7-12; 16, 19, 23, 26
KENTUCKY SHAKESPEARE’S GLOBE PLAYERS
professional training program for high school students
Romeo and Juliet - July 29-August 2
Louisville Ballet’s Shakespeare in Dance: Hamlet & Ophelia – August 5-9
ASL interpretation will be provided for the following performances: Thursday, June 4 for AS YOU LIKE IT, Thursday, June 25 for ANTONY & CLEOPATRA, Thursday, July 9 for THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA, and Thursday, July 30 for the Globe Players ROMEO AND JULIET. (If show canceled due to inclement weather, the makeup rain date will be the following evening – Friday.)
For 2026 summer season details, please visit kyshakespeare.com
