Cincinnati Shakespeare Festival Theatre, Cincinnati

Located in the vibrant downtown core of Cincinnati on Race Street, the Cincinnati Shakespeare Festival Theatre is home to the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company-a professional resident ensemble theater dedicated to breathing new life into the works of Shakespeare and other classical playwrights.

The company was originally founded in 1993 under the name The Fahrenheit Theatre Company by a small group of passionate young artists armed with a modest grant and a big vision: to make timeless stories resonate with modern audiences. Their first-ever production, The Mourning Dove by Ken Kawaji, debuted at the BaseArt Gallery, followed by a full season that included The Taming of the Shrew at Gabriel’s Corner in Over-the-Rhine.

Since those early days, the company has grown into a cultural cornerstone of Cincinnati’s arts scene. It now produces approximately eight main stage shows each season, ranging from Shakespearean staples to other treasured classics. In 2014, the company earned national recognition by becoming one of the first five theaters in the United States to complete Shakespeare’s entire canon-with The Two Noble Kinsmen marking the milestone.

Today, the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company continues to serve as a dynamic force in the community. Through its productions, educational outreach, and artistic collaborations, the company fosters a dialogue that connects the past with the present-engaging audiences, schools, and artists alike in a shared celebration of storytelling.