Griffith Park is a great place to enjoy summer performances from the Independent Shakespeare Co. From June to September you can see talented actors, impeccable and creative plays, and your favourite characters in the open air performance. While the entrance is free for everyone, we recommend you leave a few dollars to help develop future festivals.
2024 Program
This year, visitors can enjoy the production of "As You Like It," a screwball romantic comedy featuring songs inspired by 1930s crooner Al Bowlly. Irrepressible cousins Rosalind and Celia run afoul of the Duke and escape into the Forest of Arden. There, they encounter a world of vivid characters and romantic possibilities. As class and gender boundaries shatter, they discover both themselves and a beguiling truth: transformation is always possible. Sometimes, you can become part of the performance, as actors usually improvise and interact with the audience during each play.
Activities
The Griffith Park Free Shakespeare Festival offers a variety of special events this summer, from family workshops to pre-show discussions and theme nights. Highlights include Civic Engagement Night, Players in the Park, Artistic Director’s Salon, Theme Night: Cottagecore UK, TeenTix Night, and Theme Night: Swingin’ Soiree.
Schedule & Tickets
The Griffith Park Free Shakespeare Festival presents "As You Like It" from Wednesday to Sunday at 7:00 pm, with an immersive prologue starting at 6:00 pm. The event is free of charge, but advance registration is required, and each performance has a limited number of seats. A cushioned seat is $60.
History of Griffith Park Free Shakespeare Festival
The Griffith Park Free Shakespeare Festival, held annually since 2009, attracts around 48,000 visitors each year to the old Zoo. The festival has featured many successful plays, including "Measure for Measure," "The Two Gentlemen of Verona," "Macbeth," and "The Taming of the Shrew."
