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Announcing the 2025-26 Shakespeare in American Communities Grantees

A performer on stage outdoors in front of a large audience of middle schoolers.
Photo Credit: Hannah Jo Anderson
The cast of American Player Theater's Much Ado About Nothing performs a Student Matinee as part of their Shakespeare in American Communities grant.

Over $1 million in grants will support Shakespeare programming for young people and theater apprenticeship programs across America.

Today, Arts Midwest announced the recipients of $1,053,810 in Shakespeare in American Communities grants for the 2025–2026 cycle.

Now in its 22nd year, Shakespeare in American Communities is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. The initiative brings high-quality Shakespeare productions and educational activities to communities across America, with a new addition this cycle: theater apprenticeships for early-career professionals.

“Investing in apprenticeships today helps ensure the theater field has the talent and expertise it needs for the future,” says Arts Midwest President & CEO Torrie Allen. “By pairing the timeless works of Shakespeare with hands-on training, we aim to help young people build the real-world skills that will support lasting careers.”

Grants were awarded through three distinct tracks:

  • 140

    Theater companies and organizations have participated in Shakespeare in American Communities.

  • 60,000+

    Educational activities have taken place in 12,400+ schools and juvenile justice facilities across all 50 states.

Great Lakes Theater The Merry Wives of Windsor By William Shakespeare Directed by Terri McMahon Photo by Roger Mastroianni

 

Explore the Grantees

Below are lists of theater companies selected to participate in the Shakespeare in American Communities program for 2025-26. Or, explore all grantees in Arts Midwest’s searchable grantee database.

Grantee Database

Shakespeare in American Communities: Aprenticeships

Grants to supports paid apprenticeships for early administrators and technicians working at theaters throughout the United States.

Theatre Company/OrganizationCityStateAward
TheatreSquaredFayettevilleAR$30,000
Arizona Theatre MattersGlendaleAZ$30,000
Elm Shakespeare CompanyNew HavenCT$30,000
Synchronicity TheatreAtlantaGA$30,000
Aurora TheatreLawrencevilleGA$30,000
The Theatre of Western SpringsWestern SpringsIL$20,000
The Point TheaterCarmelIN$25,000
Olney Theatre CenterOlneyMD$20,000
Illusion TheaterMinneapolisMN$20,000
Mixed BloodMinneapolisMN$30,000
Ten Thousand ThingsSt. PaulMN$20,000
Circle TheatreOmahaNE$20,000
The Public TheaterNew YorkNY$30,000
Cleveland Public TheatreClevelandOH$25,000
Key City Public TheatrePort TownsendWA$30,000
Seattle RepSeattleWA$30,000
Pink Umbrella Theater CompanyMilwaukeeWI$27,500
TOTAL$447,500

Shakespeare in American Communities: Juvenile Justice

Grants to support theater education programs in juvenile justice facilities that illuminate the works of Shakespeare and addresses his work in modern context.

Theatre Company/OrganizationCityStateAward
Southwest Shakespeare CompanyMesaAZ$25,000
Shakespeare at Notre DameNotre DameIN$24,200
Gateway Regional Arts CenterMt. SterlingKY$25,000
Youth Arts: UnlockedFlintMI$25,000
Prison Performing ArtsSt. LouisMO$25,000
Drama ClubNew YorkNY$25,000
South Dakota Shakespeare FestivalVermillionSD$22,100
TOTAL$171,300

Shakespeare in American Communities: Schools

Grants to support performances of Shakespeare and related educational activities for students from five or more schools.

Theatre Company/OrganizationCityStateAward
A Noise WithinPasadenaCA$25,000
Will Geer Theatricum BotanicumTopangaCA$25,000
Folger Shakespeare LibraryWashingtonDC$25,000
Delaware ShakespeareWilmingtonDE$15,000
GableStage Theatre CompanyCoral GablesFL$25,000
Idaho Shakespeare FestivalBoiseID$25,000
Kentucky ShakespeareLouisvilleKY$25,000
Commonwealth Shakespeare CompanyBostonMA$25,000
Shakespeare & CompanyLenoxMA$25,000
The Theater at MonmouthMonmouthME$25,000
Montana Shakespeare in the ParksBozemanMT$25,000
The Shakespeare Theatre of New JerseyFlorham ParkNJ$25,000
Theatre for a New AudienceNew YorkNY$25,000
Catskill Mountain ShakespeareWest KillNY$25,000
Oregon Shakespeare FestivalAshlandOR$25,000
Portland PlayhousePortlandOR$20,000
Pennsylvania Shakespeare FestivalCenter ValleyPA$25,000
Utah Shakespeare FestivalCedar CityUT$25,000
TOTAL$435,000