Free Shakespeare Performances by GreenStage to Enliven Seattle Parks Starting July 12

Seattleites, the greenery of your beloved city parks is about to get a dose of Elizabethan drama as GreenStage gears up for its 2024 Shakespeare in the Park series. Starting tomorrow, the longest-running Shakespeare troupe of the Emerald City is offering the masses a zero-cost cultural fiesta with "Twelfth Night" and "Henry VI Parts Two & Three" on their mainstage tour. Slamming the door on barriers to arts access, these performances not only offer free admission but also tour across some of Seattle's most scenic public spaces.

With the stage set under the open sky, Erin Day directs "Twelfth Night," one of Shakespeare's most cherished comedies, which promises to fill the parks with laughter and lively dialogue. Mirror to the ever-changing Seattle summer skies, Zanne Gerrard will lead audiences through the twists and turns of political ambition and turmoil in "Henry VI Parts Two & Three." But let's not forget the Backyard Bard, which brings abridged renditions of "All's Well that Ends Well" and "Julius Caesar" to smaller parks for those seeking a more intimate theater experience. According to the schedule posted on Seattle Parkways, these shows weave through the city from July 12 through August 17.

GreenStage's approach aims to instill an appreciation for the performing arts that's akin to an enjoyment of the quintessential Seattle outdoor gatherings. Beyond the shores of Green Lake and the lawns of Volunteer Park, you can chase down performances across a smattering of locations listed on the GreenStage season schedule, ensuring multiple chances for anyone to catch a play before the curtains close on August 17.