Our Story
The Michigan Shakespeare Festival, originally known as the Jackson Shakespeare Festival, began in 1995 as an outdoor summer event in Jackson's Ella Sharp Park. With the construction of a replica Globe in 1996, the festival quickly gained popularity, leading to a name change in 1998 to reflect its statewide reach. By 2003, the festival was designated as the Official Shakespeare Festival of the State of Michigan, a testament to its growing reputation. Over the years, the festival has expanded from a single weekend to a vibrant six-week season during July and August, captivating over 95,000 patrons with its evocative productions.