Colorado Shakespeare Festival
For over 60 seasons, the Colorado Shakespeare Festival has delighted audiences with classic theater under the stars. CSF is a professional theater company in association with the University of Colorado Boulder. Since 1958, the festival has celebrated and explored Shakespeare and his continuing influence and vitality through productions of superior artistic quality, education and community engagement.
The Hellems Building, which houses the Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre, is undergoing major renovations that will last until late 2025. During this time, CSF will hold its performances in the newly updated Roe Green Theatre. Once the renovations are finished, CSF plans to return to the Mary Rippon Theatre in 2026 for a full season to celebrate its impressive makeover.
2025 Program
The Tempest | Jun 7-Aug 10, 2025 | Roe Green Theatre (Indoors) Magic, romance and intrigue swirl on the exiled Prospera’s island when she summons a storm to take vengeance on her betrayers. As her ethereal servant Ariel thwarts the vengeful schemes of the enslaved ‘monster’ Caliban, her usurper’s son falls in love with her daughter, the innocent Miranda. Will the island sorceress choose vengeance and power, or forgiveness and love? An intoxicating mélange of comedy, tragedy and fantasy from the pinnacle of Shakespeare’s creative genius.
Richard II | Jul 5-Aug 10, 2025 | Roe Green Theatre (Indoors) When corrupt, despotic King Richard II ventures off to wage war, the banished Bolingbroke invades to reclaim his stolen inheritance. Embraced by an angry populace and co-opted by self-righteous, greedy nobles, he takes the throne and sets the stage for 32 years of civil war. The first chapter of Shakespeare’s four-part “game of thrones” examines issues critical to contemporary politics, from the embrace of autocracy, the power of wealth, and whether a nation divided can stand.
Doctor Faustus | Jul 27, 2025 | Roe Green Theatre (Indoors) Shakespeare contemporary Marlowe’s enduring dramatization of German legend explores the pursuit of knowledge and power at any cost and moral compromise. The ambitious scholar summons the demon Mephistopheles, striking a deal to surrender his soul for power. After decades of fantastical feats together, the demon returns to confront Faustus and collect on their bargain.
Get Involved
Donate Donors who support the Colorado Shakespeare Festival with an annual gift of $500 or more receive an invitation to the season announcement party, flexible ticket policies and more. Your support ensures that CSF remains one of the top five Shakespeare festivals in the country. If you wish to opt out of benefits so that your entire donation supports CSF, please note this in the comment box as you make your gift.
Volunteer CSF volunteer ushers help to greet, seat and assist our patrons. Duties may include taking tickets, handing out programs, monitoring entry to designated picnicking areas and directing patrons to their seats and to restrooms. Ushers are also expected to help tidy up the house of the theatre after every performance and enforce our licensed areas for alcohol consumption. Ushers are expected to be able to lift approximately 25 pounds (a small stack of seatbacks).
About CU Presents
CU Presents is the home of performing arts on the beautiful University of Colorado Boulder campus. With hundreds of concerts, plays, recitals and more on our stages each year, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.