Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces Shakes in the City: A Midsummer Night's Dream, with free and accessible programming in neighborhoods across Chicago, July 19–August 14, 2025. Shakespeare’s dreamiest romantic comedy is brought to vibrant new life with 20 free performances in green spaces and at neighborhood festivals and events. In the second year of the annual free Shakes in the City initiative, audiences of all ages can join Puck and his feisty fairy band for Shakespeare at his most whimsical and fun, packed into just 45 minutes.
A quartet of love-sick young people are joined by a motley crew of theatricals, a fairy King and Queen in an epic showdown, and a talking donkey to boot. Delight in the exhilaration and hilarity of young love as the chaos of magic and enchantment turns the world upside down. Adapted and originally staged by CST Artistic Director Edward Hall and directed by Christopher Llewyn Ramirez, this Midsummer treat now comes to Chicagoans across the city after a wildly successful run played for students this winter.
Hall shared, “Taking this vivacious, energetic, and life-affirming comedy onto the streets and into the neighborhoods of Chicago is a dream for Shakespeare’s Dream. I am so looking forward to renewing our relationship with the many different communities of Chicago, a city that explodes with summer energy and life whenever the sun shines and people gather.”
The acting ensemble features Nate Cheeseman (Oberon/Peter Quince), Blake Hamilton Currie (Lysander), Jaeda Lavonne (Titania/Starveling), Olivia Pryor (Hermia/Snout), Alex Benito Rodriguez (Demetrius/Flute), Brenann Stacker (Puck), Grace Steckler (Helena/Snug), and Issy van Randwyck (Bottom). Along with Hall and Ramirez, the creative team also includes scenic designer Alyssa Mohn, costume designer Janelle Smith, sound designer and composer Forrest Gregor, and stage manager Rita Vreeland.
Shakes in the City will engage with 16 neighborhoods this summer: Albany Park, Bronzeville, Chesterfield, Chinatown, Englewood, Garfield Park, Pilsen, Portage Park, Pullman, Sauganash, South Chicago, South Lawndale, South Shore, Streeterville, West Pullman, and Wicker Park/Bucktown.
This year’s Shakes in the City initiative is only possible through the generous support of our donors and board members Ray and Judy McCaskey, Richard Porter and Lydia Marti, Gary and Virginia Gerst, and Sheli Z. and Burton X. Rosenberg, with additional support from Chicago Park District’s Night Out in the Parks and Peoples Gas Community Fund.
For more information, visit chicagoshakes.com/shakesinthecity
SCHEDULE
- Saturday, July 19, 6:00pm – Navy Pier | 600 E. Grand Ave. Streeterville
- Sunday, July 20, 6:00pm – Navy Pier | 600 E. Grand Ave. Streeterville
- Tuesday, July 22, 6:00pm – Navy Pier | 600 E. Grand Ave. Streeterville
- Wednesday, July 23, time TBD – Lot Jams @ Movement on Montrose | 2951 W. Montrose Ave. Albany Park
- Thursday, July 24, 6:00pm – Ping Tom Memorial Park | 1700 S. Wentworth Ave. Chinatown
- Saturday, July 26, time TBD – Words of Wonder Literary Fest | 10201 S. Cottage Grove Ave. Pullman
- Sunday, July 27, time TBD – Wicker Park Fest | Milwaukee Ave from North Ave. to Ashland Ave. Wicker Park/Bucktown
- Tuesday, July 29, 6:00pm – Piotrowski Park | 4247 W. 31st St. South Lawndale
- Wednesday, July 30, 6:00pm – Ogden Park | 6500 S. Racine Ave. Englewood
- Thursday, July 31, time TBD – Fiesta Del Sol | Cermak Rd. from Ashland Ave. to Morgan St. Pilsen
- Friday, August 1, 6:00pm – South Shore Beach Park | 7059 S. South Shore Dr. South Shore
- Saturday, August 2, time TBD – Fiesta Del Sol | Cermak Rd. from Ashland Ave. to Morgan St. Pilsen
- Tuesday, August 5, 6:00pm – Sauganash Park | 5861 N. Kostner Ave. Sauganash
- Wednesday, August 6, 6:00pm – Wilson (Frank J) Park | 4630 N Milwaukee Ave Portage Park
- Thursday, August 7, 6:00pm – Garfield Park | 100 N. Central Park Ave. Garfield Park
- Friday, August 8, time TBD – Bronzeville Summer Nights | 4400 Cottage Grove Ave. Bronzeville
- Saturday, August 9, time TBD – Bud Billiken Parade | Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. from 35th St. to 55th St. Bronzeville
- Tuesday, August 12, 6:00pm – Rainbow Beach Park | 3111 E. 77th St. South Chicago
- Wednesday, August 13, 6:00pm – West Pullman Park | 401 W. 123rd St. West Pullman
- Thursday, August 14, 6:00pm – Tuley Park | 501 E. 90th Pl. Chesterfield
ABOUT CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATER
CST is a leading international theater company and the nation’s largest year-round theater dedicated to the works of Shakespeare. Under the visionary leadership of Artistic Director Edward Hall and Executive Director Kimberly Motes, the Regional Tony Award recipient is committed to creating vivid, entertaining theatrical experiences that invigorate and engage people of all ages and identities by illuminating the complexity, ambiguity, and wonder of our world. Each year, nearly a quarter of a million people experience CST’s artistry through more than 12 productions. With Shakespeare at the heart of the artistic work, CST also produces compelling, contemporary stories from fresh voices of today. CST brings the world to Chicago and sends Chicago out into the world as Chicago’s foremost presenter of international theater, and consistent producer of North American and world premieres. Serving more students and teachers than any theater in the city, CST annually welcomes more than 20,000 students to performances and programs like Chicago Shakespeare SLAM, alongside professional development opportunities for teachers. CST activates its campus with three venues: 700-seat The Yard; the 500-seat Jentes Family Courtyard Theater; and the 200-seat Carl and Marilynn Thoma Upstairs Studio. Free programs like Shakes in the City bring performances to parks and community spaces across Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods. Shared humanity and unforgettable stories—now THIS is Chicago Shakespeare. chicagoshakes.com.