The Delaware Shakespeare Community Tour aims to bring professional Shakespeare performances to the full spectrum of humanity in our state.
The centerpiece of the tour are free performances at community centers, detention facilities, adult high schools, and other non-traditional locations where people may have limited access to professional arts experiences.
The majority of performances are open to members of the general public. You – yes, you! – can attend these powerful productions told in an up-close-and-personal style. RSVPs are requested.
2023 TOUR SCHEDULE – Cymbeline
Email info@delshakes.org to RSVP
Thursday, October 5 at 5pm
Christina Cultural Arts Center (Wilmington)
Saturday, October 7 at 1pm
Milford Public Library (Milford)
Tuesday, October 10 at 5:30pm
Groves Adult High School – Red Clay (Wilmington)
Thursday, October 12 at 6pm
Delaware State University (Dover)
Friday, October 13 at 6pm
Jefferson Street Center (Wilmington)
Sunday, October 15 at 5pm
Lewes Public Library (Lewes)
Tuesday, October 17 at 5pm
First State Community Action Agency (Georgetown)
Friday, October 20 at 12noon
Easterseals (New Castle)
NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution, Ferris School for Boys, New Castle County’s Hope Center, Project New Start, Sussex Correctional Institution
Community Tour History
All tours have served locations in Kent, New Castle and Sussex Counties.
2016 – Pericles, Prince of Tyre
12 performances serving 619 individuals
2017 – As You Like It
13 performances serving 845 individuals
2018 – The Merchant of Venice
18 performances serving 1170 individuals
2019 – Romeo and Juliet
18 performances serving 1242 individuals
2022 – Twelfth Night, O Lo Que Quierias
16 performances serving 593 individuals
The feedback Delaware Shakespeare has received from audience members is extraordinary. A sampling of comments from Pericles audiences members is included below.
“I would like to thank you very much for being willing to share your talent with us. I am happy that I was open about coming to see the play. I never in a million years thought I would see a Shakespeare play and boy was it a good one. I will follow the Festival upon my release because I will go to see another one.”
– Inmate, Baylor Women’s Correctional Institute
“I felt like Shakespeare wanted to send us angels, to tell us we’re all kings and queens.”
– Patient, Delaware Psychiatric Center
“This was really nice. It was so nice that you came right here to us, because a lot of us, we can’t leave here. So we don’t get to do things like this.”
– Patient, Delaware Psychiatric Center
“I had never seen some of these boys smile and laugh before…you just don’t see it often. And I would say the same for some of the staff! So that was something really nice, to be able to smile and laugh together, for a change.”
– Staff Member, Ferris School for Boys
“I’m not a theater guy, I’m pretty sure I haven’t seen or read anything to do with Shakespeare since high school, which has been a looong time. But okay, you got me. I really liked the parts with action and music, and it was just really good overall. I might just have to come out in the summer to see the next one.”
– Audience Member, Absalom Jones Senior Center
