Georgia Shakespeare Cancels Free Summer Theatre

By Adam Hetrick
March 3, 2009

Georgia Shakespeare has canceled its annual free summer offering of the Bard's work, Shake at the Lake, due to budgetary concerns and lack of funding.

Producing artistic director Richard Garner announced that the free Shake at the Lake production of As You Like It, which costs the company $115,000 annually to produce, has been put on hiatus for the 2009 season. Georgia Shakespeare, which has been in operation since 1986, anticipates reinstating the free Shakespeare production for summer 2010.

"It has become clear over the last month that we will not be able to secure the full funding needed to present Shake at the Lake in 2009," Garner said in a statement. "While we are saddened that the event will not happen this year, we feel this is a fiscally responsible action taken to ensure ongoing stability of the company as we continue to serve our core mission of mainstage and educational programs. We look forward to working with our donors, the City of Atlanta, and our friends at the Piedmont Park Conservancy to ensure that Shake at the Lake is back in the park in 2010 as we celebrate our 25th anniversary season."

The 2009 Georgia Shakespeare season follows: A Midsummer Night's Dream (June 10–July 31); Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (June 25–Aug. 1); Titus Andronicus (July 9–Aug. 2); Alice in Wonderland (July 18–Aug. 1); and Julius Caesar (Oct. 8–Nov. 1).

For further information visit GAShakespeare.