Chicago Shakespeare Theater joins with arts partners in Austin, Chinatown, Englewood, Hermosa, Belmont Cragin, Little Village, and West Pullman to present this summer’s free Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks, now in its twelfth year. Exploring how we can all be heroes in our everyday lives—for ourselves, our families, and our communities—this fun-for-all-ages musical revue, entitled The Hero Within, weaves together popular music and multidisciplinary performances with scenes, characters, and speeches from Shakespeare’s plays. Directed and choreographed by Tor Campbell, pop-up performances will take place in Chicago Park District parks in each of the six partner communities, July 25–August 5, 2023. Created and performed in partnership with local artists and arts organizations, this Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks event is rooted in direct engagement with communities and imbued with a collaborative spirit. This summer’s creative collaboration will culminate in free performances at parks across the city:

• Tuesday, July 25 at 6:30 p.m. – Polk Bros Park (600 E. Grand Ave.) on Navy Pier

• Wednesday, July 26 at 6:30 p.m. – Polk Bros Park (600 E. Grand Ave.) on Navy Pier

• Thursday, July 27 at 6:30 p.m. – Piotrowski Park (4247 W. 31st St.) in Little Village

• Friday, July 28 at 6:30 p.m. – Columbus Park (500 S. Central Ave.) in Austin

• Saturday, July 29 at 6:30 p.m. – Blackhawk Park (2318 N. Lavergne Ave.) in Hermosa & Belmont Cragin Audio-⁠described performance

• Thursday, August 3 at 6:30 p.m. – West Pullman Park (401 W. 123rd St.) in West Pullman

• Friday, August 4 at 6:30 p.m. – Ogden Park (6500 S. Racine Ave.) in Englewood

• Saturday, August 5 at 6:30 p.m. – Ping Tom Memorial Park (1700 S. Wentworth Ave.) in Chinatown American Sign Language (ASL) interpreted performance

More information about this summer’s program at www.chicagoshakes.com/parks.

Photo Credit: Chicago Shakespeare Theater