Great Lakes Theater, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, and Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival announced a five-year partnership with Play On Shakespeare on May 14. The collaboration will produce four full productions using Play On’s contemporary modern-verse translations of Shakespeare, including a newly commissioned translation of “Hamlet.”

The first production, a new translation of “The Winter’s Tale” directed by Tracy Young, opens at the Idaho Shakespeare Festival in August 2026 before transferring to Great Lakes Theater for its 65th anniversary season at Playhouse Square in Cleveland. At least one production over the five years will tour to all three theaters. The partnership also includes a dedicated resident dramaturg role and school-based programming.

Sara Bruner serves as producing artistic director for all three festivals. The partnership extends through 2030 and includes a touring educational program, “Shakespearience,” beginning in 2027 with community schools programming in Boise.

Source: Great Lakes Theater