Shakespeare in the Park 2026

Presented by Beth and Fred Cate

A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Directed by Jason Spelbring

Thursdays-Sundays, August 20-September 20
and Labor Day Monday, September 7
Centennial Park Bandshell
(on the 25th Avenue side of the park near the walking path)

ASL Interpreted Performance - TBD

Nightly Schedule:
5:15 pm - Vendors Open
5:15 pm - Jackson Insight Lecture Series
6:00 pm - Totally Hits 93.3 Pre Show Concert Series
7:00 pm - Performance of A Midsummer NIght’s Dream

Cost: Pay-What-You-Will ($20 suggested donation/person)

“The course of true love never did run smooth.”

The Bard is back at the historic bandshell in Centennial Park! Magic, mischief, and moonlight fill the Athenian forest in this joyful tangle of love, laughter, and theatrical mayhem. When mischievous fairies meddle with runaway lovers and an unsuspecting troupe of amateur actors, dreams blur with reality and anything can happen. Full of wonder, whimsy, and enchantment, A Midsummer Night’s Dream is Shakespeare at his most playful. This production is sure to delight audiences of all ages!

Purchase Reserved Seating and Royal Packages

Shakespeare in the Park FAQ

Get up-to-the-minute updates on weather and show information on our social media channels:

Show Information

All performances begin at 7:00 p.m.
August 2026
- Thursday, August 20
- Friday, August 21
- Saturday, August 22
- Sunday, August 23
- Thursday, August 27
- Friday, August 28
- Saturday, August 29
- Sunday, August 30
September 2026
- Thursday, September 3
- Friday, September 4
- Saturday, September 5
- Sunday, September 6
- Monday, September 7 — Labor Day
- Thursday, September 10
- Friday, September 11
- Saturday, September 12
- Sunday, September 13
- Thursday, September 17
- Friday, September 18
- Saturday, September 19
- Sunday, September 20
Morgan-Ellene Davis* — Hippolyta/Titania
Taylor Novak* — Theseus/Oberon
Reagan Allen* — Puck
Andrew Johnson — Nick Bottom/Egeus
Chelsea Bell — Hermia
Nick Govindan — Lysander
Caroline Conner — Helena
Trey Smith — Demetrius
Andrew Carr+ — Snout/Cobweb
Clay Jackson+ — Snug/Fairy
Katie Broderick+ — First Fairy
Marian Storvik+ — Quince/Moth
John Walters Burkhart+ — Flute/Mustardseed
Reid Gregory+ — Philostrate/Fairy
Dawson Wise+ — Starveling/Peasblossom
* Member, Actors’ Equity Association
+ Summer Conservatory Artist
Director – Jason Spelbring*
Assistant Director – Claire Pals+
Stage Manager – Marlee Shelton
Assistant Stage Manager – Peyton Lewis
Scenic Design – Will Butler
Scenic Fabrication – Butler Scenic Co.
Costume Designer – Melissa Durmon
Lighting Designer – Darren E. Levin^
Sound Designer – Gigi Englehart
Properties Artisan – Shannon Spencer
Choreographer – Kari Cherie Smith
Music Director – Randy Craft
Text & Dialect Coach – Nettie Mae Kraft
Intimacy Director – Bek Rosales**
Pre-Show Entertainment Coordinator – Dakota Collins**
Site Technical Director – D.J. Ranta
Assistant Technical Director – Hendrick Shelton
Production Assistant – Bryson Hewell
Sound Assistant/Deck Audio – Preston Kuppler
Light Board Operator – Nylah Watts
Wardrobe Stitchers – Lori Gann-Smith, Norman Sims, Margo Dobbs
Front of House Manager – Sarah Johnson
Volunteer Coordinator – Anita Reed
Summer Conservatory Director – Katie Bruno**
Production and Publicity Photos – Sammy Hearn
Graphic Design – Jenni Ohnstad
*Member of Actors’ Equity Association
** Summer Conservatory (Apprentice Company) Alumni
+ Summer Conservatory
^ United Scenic Artists
Audiences can expect physical comedy, mistaken identities, imaginative transformations, and plenty of Shakespearean wordplay.
This joyful production is suitable for most audiences, including families with children. Some dialogue includes mild romantic and suggestive humor, and the story briefly touches on parental control, unwanted pursuit, and threats of punishment, but these moments are handled within a whimsical, comedic world.
For families or educators who’d like more detail, we’ve created a separate Content Advisory (may contain spoilers) with examples of language and themes that appear in the play. Click here to view our content warnings.
TBD.
We always encourage folks to experience Shakespeare in the Park with friends, family, classmates, or colleagues! Bring your own blankets and chairs, and enjoy a night of professional theatre under the stars with just a $20 suggested donation per person (pretty please!). It’s a perfect outing for student groups, schools, civic organizations, church groups, and more.
Looking to upgrade your group’s experience? Groups of 9 or more can enjoy 10% off reserved seating options, including our Groundling Seating, Noble Seating, or the full experience with our Royal Packages. Contact tickets@nashvilleshakes.org for more information.

Seating Options

PAY-WHAT-YOU-WILL
Bring your own blanket or chair and claim a spot in our general admission areas. Limited bleacher seating is also available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Pay-what-you-will - suggested donation $20/person.
PRO TIP: Come early to enjoy our free Insight Lecture Series and Pre-Show Concert to ensure the best seats!

GROUNDLING SEATING
A nod to the original Groundlings who stood closest to the stage at Shakespeare’s Globe, these reserved seats put you right in the heart of the action with a low-profile chair (just 5" off the ground) in the last row of the blanket section. $35/person – Includes a reserved low chair.

NOBLE SEATING
Noble Seats include a reserved seat in the reserved seating section behind the blanket area, complete with a comfortable camp chair with tray table. No need to bring a thing! $50/person – reserved chair with tray in the reserved seating section.

ROYAL PACKAGES
Feel like royalty with the best seats in the house! Royal Packages include a reserved seat in the front rows of the reserved seating section, premium reserved parking, a gourmet picnic boxed dinner, complimentary souvenir program, and a shoutout from the stage for your birthday, anniversary, or special occasion (just let us know!). $100/person – Includes premium reserved seating, dinner, reserved parking, and optional onstage shout-out.

Reserved Seating On Sale Here

GROUNDLING SEATING - low profile chair (appx. 5” off the ground)

NOBLE AND ROYAL SEATING - camp chair with side tray

Accessible seating and assistive listening devices are available. For more information and accommodations, please contact Finance and Operations Director Robert Marigza-Yeo at robert@nashvilleshakes.org, or by calling 615-255-2273.

Plan Your Evening at Shakespeare in the Park

Jackson Insight Lecture Series

Sponsored By:

Want to learn more about A Midsummer Night’s Dream before watching the performance? Join local scholars and luminaries at 5:15 pm for a free, engaging 30-minute deep dive into the play’s characters, themes, and more.

Insight Lecture Series Schedule

Totally Hits 93.3 Pre-Show Concert Series

Arrive early for A Midsummer Night’s Dream and enjoy our pre-show concert series! Grab a great spot on the lawn and experience live entertainment starting at 6:00 pm featuring a diverse slate of local artists.

Pre-Show Concert Lineup - TBA

Sponsored By:

Food Trucks and Beverages

A rotating lineup of Nashville food trucks will be on-site each night, serving up delicious bites before the show. Stop by our bar for a selection of canned beer, wine, cocktails, soda, and water, with offerings varying by performance. And don’t forget the Moose Head Kettle Corn!

Food Truck and Bar Schedule

**Pay-What-You-Will (or As You Like It)**

Since 1988, the Nashville Shakespeare Festival has presented Shakespeare in the Park as pay-what-you-will because great theatre should be shared by everyone. Admission is open to all. If you’re able, we invite you to support the Festival with a donation.

Our suggested donation is $20 per person. Your $20 helps us: