Houston Shakespeare Festival - University of Houston
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Houston Shakespeare Festival

Our Company

The Houston Shakespeare Festival debuted in 1975 when Dr. Sidney Berger, then director of the School of Theatre at the University of Houston, met with UH administrators and the Miller Theatre Advisory Board to enlist support for a two-production season of Shakespeare’s works to be played in repertory on Miller Theatre’s bill. Berger and UH theatre professor Cecil Pickett went on to direct a pair of plays each summer, performing free to the public at Hermann Park’s Miller Outdoor Theatre in this unique collaboration between a city and a university.

2020 Season

  • King Lear

    King Lear

    July 31, August 2, 4, 6,  8   

    Family loyalty, betrayal, and madness set the stage for King Lear—the first Houston Shakespeare Festival production of this enthralling masterpiece in over 20 years.             

     

  • Cymbeline

    Cymbeline

    August 1, 5, 7,  9

    Shakespeare’s dark fairytale romance, Cymbeline, is filled with forbidden love, mistaken identity, vile poisons, and treachery.

     

     

Miller Outdoor Theatre

Miller Outdoor Theatre

Free parking near Miller Outdoor Theatre is available in Lots C, D and E. Parking Lot C is newly refurbished and located off Hermann Drive with entrances at Crawford and Jackson Streets. Lot C the largest of the three lots, and has new pedestrian walkways connecting to Miller Outdoor Theatre.

Workshops and Events

  • Cougar Actor Training Camp

    Cougar Actor Training Camp

    The University of Houston School of Theatre & Dance CAT Camp is a one-week day camp for high school students that focuses on actor training and audition technique. Throughout the week, students train with UH faculty, M.F.A. alumni, HSF teaching artists, and Houston-area theatre professionals.

  • Texas Intensive

    Texas Intensive

    An annual workshop focused on the art of stage and screen violence, specifically designed to provide students of all levels with an immersive, “intensive” experience.

  • Bard Bash

    Bard Bash

    A pub crawl celebrating our friend Will's birthday! Wear your favorite Houston Shakespeare Festival t-shirt and come raise a mug or two to the bard! HSF performances will erupt in each location.