Tulane Shakespeare Festival

Founded in 1993 by a handful of Tulane Faculty members, the New Orleans Shakespeare Festival at Tulane has become one of the most significant theatre events in the Gulf South. This season, the festival is opening with performances of the classic story of a kingdom divided, King Lear, directed by Jana Mestecky. The preview performance ($27–$32) will be held May 21, and opening night on May 22—with performances Thursdays–Sundays through June 7. 7:30 pm Thursdays–Saturdays; 1:30 pm Sundays. $27–$42. 

On May 27, the improv group, The Fools Ensemble, returns to the festival with a one-night-only performance, presenting A Very Important Play, Part III—their take on a "Shakespeare" play that has never been put to the stage before (and never will again . . . again). 7:30 pm. $32. 

Then, throughout late June and July, see the Shakespearean masterpiece that is Hamlet, directed by Graham Burk. The preview performance will be held June 25, and opening night on June 26—with performances Thursdays–Sundays through July 12 (7:30 pm Thursdays–Saturdays; 1:30 pm Sundays). $27–$42.

Finally, on July 13, you can also catch a one-night-only performance of a reimagined Molière masterpiece, The School For Wives—as translated, adapted and directed by Ryder Thornton. 7:30 pm. $22. 

All events will take place in Tulane's Lupin Theater. neworleansshakespeare.org.