One of the top 10 largest Shakespeare festivals on the planet based on attendance, the Alabama Shakespeare Festival runs from September to early May at Carolyn Blount Theatre in Montgomery, Alabama. The Festival offers about ten productions yearly, including plays by William Shakespeare alongside other classical or modern playwrights.
Festival Highlights
As a cherished Alabama arts institution, ASF enriches the cultural landscape of the South with a diverse array of performances, including classics, Shakespeare, contemporary plays, musicals, theatre for young audiences, and innovative new works. The Festival also occasionally features plays by Southern authors and draws over 300,000 attendees from more than 60 countries each year.
Program
The Alabama Shakespeare Festival presents over 400 performances each season. For the 53rd season (2024-2025), the lineup includes Dear Jack, Dear Louise, Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, The Watsons Go to Birmingham, Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood, William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Kudzu Calling, and The Wizard of Oz. The Festival is home to the largest professional theatre troupe in Alabama.
History of the Alabama Shakespeare Festival
Alabama Shakespeare Festival was first held in a high school auditorium in Anniston in 1972. Due to its success and innovative approach, in 1987, the ASF moved to a new magnificent performing arts center in Montgomery—Carolyn Blount Theatre—that hosts the 792-seat Festival Stage and the 225-seat Octagon Theatre with rehearsal halls and administrative offices.
ASF Significance
The Alabama Shakespeare Festival plays a vital role in the local economy, supporting approximately 1,000 jobs in the area. It attracts top professionals from Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles, including actors, directors, and designers. Each production features artisans who create handmade costumes and decorations, enhancing the artistic value of the Festival. Since its inception, ASF has educated over one million students and annually presents SchoolFest, a student matinee program that offers high-quality theatrical experiences to nearly 35,000 students.
