Opportunities for Theatregoers

Enhance your Festival experience with these activities and events.

There's more to the Delaware Shakespeare Festival than just the main production. The grounds open an hour early, and we have numerous fun activities surrounding the production for you to take advantage of:

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Picnicking on the grounds

Every night: Beginning ninety minutes prior to showtime

These grounds are ideal for picnicking with family and friends as you anticipate an evening of theatre. We encourage you to bring blankets and low-backed chairs for general admission lawn seating. Bring a blanket of food and drink and dine while the company sets up and the Festival begins.

Live Music

Every night: Throughout the period prior to showtime

A little background music to add to your picnic. Enjoy our minstrels and their merry tunes as they make the grounds festive prior to the Festival main production.

Show Orientation

Every night: One hour prior to showtime

Enhance your enjoyment of the play by attending a short informative orientation. This is also a chance to ask questions about the play and the Festival.

Orientations are hosted by experts within the Festival. Orientations take place on the lawn adjacent to the playing space, one hour prior to showtime: 6:30 p.m. for evening performances, 4:30 p.m. for matinees.

The comedic Pre-Show

Every night: Twenty minutes prior to showtime

The Preshow entertainment provides the audience an opportunity to enjoy getting some context to the upcoming evening's performance. These motley players get you laughing while getting you up to speed with backstory that helps you better understand the upcoming play.

Stage combat demo

Family Matinees: Sundays, between 4:00 p.m. and 4:45 p.m.

Trained stage combat performers explain the basics of theatrical swordplay. With humor and interaction, they professionals show how actors use care and skill to portray fights with weaponry on the stage.

Children's actvities

Family Matinees: Sundays, between 4:00 p.m. and 4:45 p.m.

Bring the kids early to enjoy this arts-and-crafts activity. Using crayons, glitter and some imagination, your young ones can create their own masks, similiar to the ones worn in the play.