Alabama Shakespeare Festival

Alabama Shakespeare Festival is the largest professional theatre in Alabama and one of the largest Shakespeare festivals in the world. From its founding in a high school auditorium in Anniston in 1972 to its designation as the State Theater of Alabama in 1977 to the stunning $21.5 million performing arts complex in Montgomery (built in 1985), ASF has been a leader in the performing arts throughout the state, region, and country. As a beloved Alabama arts institution, ASF broadens the cultural identity of the South by producing Shakespeare, contemporary plays, musicals, and exciting new works that focus on the Southern experience. Since its inception, ASF has provided education programs to more than one million students; annually, SchoolFest, a student-matinee program, presents high-quality theatrical experiences to nearly 40,000 students. Under the dual leadership of Artistic Director Rick Dildine and Executive Director Todd Schmidt, ASF seeks to build community by engaging, inspiring, and entertaining people with transformative theatrical performances and compelling educational and outreach initiatives.