Community Engagement | Alabama Shakespeare Festival
1.334.271.5353 [email protected]

ASF serves as a cultural hub for community interaction and provides unique avenues for personal and collective discovery. Join us as we share insights on theatre-making, storytelling, and creating community through art.

For more information on Community Engagement events, you can always call the ASF Box Office at 334-271-5353.

ASF Insights

This series provides a thought-provoking and behind-the-scenes look at the work on the stage and the art of theatre. 

Sponsored by Auburn University at Montgomery.


A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
Meet Voice & Text Coach Santiago Sosa
Saturday, September 16
12:45– 1:30 p.m.
ASF Patrons Room

 

Discovering the Magic of Shakespeare’s Language with Santiago Sosa — This discussion will dive into the clues, poetry, textual roadmaps, and rhetorical devices that Shakespeare has magically woven into the fabric of his plays.


A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Dr. Darren Harris-Fain
Saturday, November 18

“How the Dickens Did A Christmas Carol Become a Classic?” This discussion will explore the life of Charles Dickens — how did his life and experiences in Victorian England inspire him to write A Christmas Carol? How was it received that Christmas of 1843, and why do we still enjoy it 180 years later?


BLUES IN THE NIGHT
Speaker TBA
Saturday, February 10


BASKERVILLE: A SHERLOCK HOLMES MYSTERY
Speaker TBA
Saturday, April 20


ZELDA IN THE BACKYARD
Speaker TBA
Saturday, June 15

Talkbacks

Audience members at select performances are led in a postshow discussion about the themes of the play.

Town Hall at Kress

Using ASF’s plays as inspiration, our facilitators will lead community town halls about current issues in our region. Guest panelists will include local elected officials, school board members, students, thought leaders, community members, and artists. Hosted by Kress on Dexter.

Sponsored by Alabama State Council on the Arts. This programming is made possible by grants from the Alabama State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Shakespeare-in-Depth

Join Dramaturg Dr. Susan Willis for a morning of deep exploration into one of Shakespeare’s plays.

Bard Talk

30 minutes before each public performance of a Shakespeare play, join us for a brief summary of the production’s themes, plot points, and story. Led by Dramaturg Dr. Susan Willis.

Marathon Dates

Looking for a binge-worthy experience? Put down the remote and come to the theatre! During one of our Marathon Weekends, you have the opportunity to see at least two paired productions, plus a community engagement event.

Garden Talks

Join Master Gardener Karen Weber as she shares insights on the plants and flowers mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays, such as roses from Romeo & Juliet, narcissus from Anthony and Cleopatra, and lavender from The Winter’s Tale.

Narrated Changeover

During repertory, multiple productions use the same performance spaces. Join us as our teams of craftspeople changeover the sets. You’ll hear firsthand how our designers and artists create sets that easily transition from one show to the next.

To view our archive of previous community engagement events, click here.