The Heart of America Shakespeare Festival celebrated its 25th year of presenting high-quality professional productions of Shakespeare’s works and year-round education programs for youth ages 5-18 in 2017. As part of this celebration, Heart of America Shakespeare offered “25 for the 25th,” a series of 25 performances, presentations, and happenings in collaboration with several of Kansas City’s premiere arts organizations, museums, and community events. These presentations provided an opportunity for audiences to connect with Shakespeare in new ways and encounter Shakespeare-inspired and derived works in art forms and mediums other than the plays and sonnets.
Ongoing 2016-2017
Shakespeare Solos Video Project
SHAKESPEARE SOLOS are video recordings of Heart of America Shakespeare Festival’s alumni actors performing some of Shakespeare’s great speeches to celebrate the Festival’s 25th anniversary year. Two videos were released each month, with a bonus video one month, offering 25 videos featuring actors who have performed on the Festival stage.
Previous 25 for the 25th offerings
2016
August 29: Shakespeare-inspired Playwright Slam at Kansas City Repertory Theatre
September 23-25: Plaza Art Fair
September 29: Open rehearsal at Kansas City Ballet for the Ballet’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream
October 7-9: Summit Art Festival
October 21 & 22, 28 & 29: Ghost Tours at Wornall House
October 14-30: The African Company Presents Richard III, presented in partnership with Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City at the Fishtank Theatre. Missed the performance? See a clip below!
October & December: Ghost Tours and Candlelight Tours at Wornall House
December: Team Shakespeare’s Winter Showcase
2017
February 11: “Art of Love” Valentine Coffee at Kansas City Museum
March 11-18: Death, by Shakespeare with Fishtank Theatre
March 23-26: A script-in-hand performance of The Tempest in partnership with the Performing Arts Series at Johnson County Community College.
April 4: Classics Uncorked: Shakespeare in Music, a happy hour series collaboration with the Kansas City Symphony
April 9: Comedy Master Class at the Coterie
April 21: ShakesBEER Birthday Bash at the Buffalo Room.
April 23: Taking Tea with Shakespeare
