The Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre was designed to mimic the open-air Globe Theatre in London.
The festival is a long-standing member of the Shakespeare Theatre Association.
The repertory format allows actors to perform in multiple plays simultaneously throughout the season.
The University of Colorado Boulder campus is a designated arboretum, adding to the foliage surrounding the outdoor venue.
The festival frequently incorporates original music and movement scores composed specifically for its season.
The Colorado Shakespeare Festival is a professional theatre company based at the University of Colorado Boulder that has produced works annually since 1958. Its primary venue, the Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre, is an Elizabethan-style open-air space constructed in 1968 that utilizes the natural acoustics of the campus landscape. The festival produces a rotating repertory of Shakespearean plays alongside modern works in the indoor University Theatre. It is one of the oldest professional Shakespeare festivals in the United States and maintains a high reputation for its classical production values. The festival is a constituent of the CU Presents arts organization, which manages its seasonal programming. Performances frequently take place under the Colorado stars, creating a unique environment that defines the attendee experience.
The stone archways and surrounding garden greenery of the Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre before the house opens.
Bring a seat cushion for the outdoor stone benches at the Mary Rippon Theatre.
Check the weather forecast and pack a light jacket or poncho, as summer mountain weather can shift rapidly during evening performances.
Arrive early to enjoy the pre-show talks held in the venue courtyard.
Assuming the performance will be cancelled for light rain, as shows often continue through mild weather.
Operates as a summer-only festival; no performances occur during the autumn, winter, or spring semesters.
Casual, though bringing blankets or layers is recommended for fluctuating temperatures; maintain silence during the performance.
