Please check updated driving directions regarding road construction access effective July 31.
Lake Park📅 Saturday, August 2, 2025
Thank you for joining Shakespeare in the Park at Lake Park!
We’ve performed in beautiful Lake Park many times, but 2025 brings a BRAND-NEW LOCATION within the park’s historic landscape. This year’s performance space is tucked into a new glade, offering a change of scenery, more shade and a chance to experience another side of this beloved public park. Whether it’s your first time here or your fourth, we’re excited to welcome you back to Lake Park! Details will be updated as more information becomes available. To make sure you don’t miss any updates — especially last-minute changes — we highly recommend that you register or make a reservation. So, without further “Much Ado”... |
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Lake Park Shakespeare in the Park Schedule:
1:00 PM
🕐 Concessions and PLAY’s activities will pause during performances.
1:00 PM
- Audience seating area opens
- Claim your spot with a lawn chair or blanket
- Concessions open (subject to availability)
- Very light refreshments for a suggested donation
- The PLAY’s the Thing tent opens with drop-in, hands-on games like Shakespeare in the Park's original "The Bard Game"
- Unless otherwise noted, activities from1:00 to 2:00 are easy to pop in and out of any time. No need to arrive at the top of the hour.
- Much Ado About Nothing – Puppet Edition
- A 60-minute puppet performance full of wit, quick changes and over the top enjoyment. - click here for more about the shows
- Puppet performances aren't crafted specifically for kids but they'll enjoy the show too.
- A 60-minute puppet performance full of wit, quick changes and over the top enjoyment. - click here for more about the shows
- The PLAY’s the Thing moves from their tent and takes the stage with special events, demo's, workshops and more - click here for more information
- The activity on tap for Lake Park is Say Anything: What’s the Deal with the First Folio?
- This workshop is best enjoyed if you arrive at the beginning and stay until the end
- This workshop is best enjoyed if you arrive at the beginning and stay until the end
- The activity on tap for Lake Park is Say Anything: What’s the Deal with the First Folio?
- Early Music Now performance
- Live Renaissance-era music, 30–35 minutes
- The Taming of the Shrew
- A 50-minute Shakespearean battle of the sexes featuring a small-but-mighty cast playing all the characters - click here for more about the shows
🕐 Concessions and PLAY’s activities will pause during performances.
🚗 Getting There - Location & Directions
Lake Park
2975 N Lake Park Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53211
(GPS for the key left turn inside the park: 43.06916, -87.87198)
🚗 Driving Directions
🚧 Lake Park Driving Consideration:
There was extensive spring road construction on N Lake Park Rd and surrounding streets. Officials expect it to be finished well before showtime, but please register for updates just in case.
⚠️ Traffic / Construction Update as of July 31, 2025
Heads-up on some construction near Lake Park that may affect your arrival:
🅿️ Parking
We recommend parking along the northern end of N Lake Park Rd, as close to the end of the road as possible.
🚶 Walking Directions
From the end of N Lake Park Rd, walk north along the sidewalk. You’ll see a thick tree line to your right and the baseball diamond in the distance to your left.
Before the sidewalk curves into the trees and crosses a bridge, look for the Shakespeare in the Park stage just up a slight incline under the trees
🎭 Performance Space
Located just uphill from the start of the wooded sidewalk path, before it turns and crosses the bridge.
Set in a shady grove with excellent visibility and natural acoustics.
♿ ADA Accessibility:
🗺️ For a map, visit the Main Shakespeare in the Park Map (Google Map)
Lake Park
2975 N Lake Park Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53211
(GPS for the key left turn inside the park: 43.06916, -87.87198)
- We’re in a new location within Lake Park for 2025! The official address above brings you to the main entrance off N Lake Drive—now also the best access point for reaching the new Shakespeare in the Park glade.
🚗 Driving Directions
- Enter the park via N Lake Drive, then take your first left onto N Lake Park Rd at 43.06916, -87.87198.
- Follow the road northeast through the park.
- Do not turn right toward the golf course and the large parking lot—unless you’re forced to park that far away due to full roadside parking.
That lot is quite a walk from the stage area.
🚧 Lake Park Driving Consideration:
There was extensive spring road construction on N Lake Park Rd and surrounding streets. Officials expect it to be finished well before showtime, but please register for updates just in case.
⚠️ Traffic / Construction Update as of July 31, 2025
Heads-up on some construction near Lake Park that may affect your arrival:
- 🚧 Lake Drive between Newberry and Kenwood has been under construction but is expected to reopen Friday evening.
- 🚫 Northbound Lake Drive remains closed at Kenwood Blvd (due to separate Shorewood construction). If you’re coming from the south, use Lincoln Memorial Drive or detour west and come back east to Newberry from Downer or Oakland.
- 🕒 As always, allow a little extra time in case traffic is heavier than expected.
🅿️ Parking
We recommend parking along the northern end of N Lake Park Rd, as close to the end of the road as possible.
- Parking is free, but space may be limited, so please arrive early if possible.
- 🚗 Parking is tight along Lake Drive due to watering trucks maintaining new grass.
🚶 Walking Directions
From the end of N Lake Park Rd, walk north along the sidewalk. You’ll see a thick tree line to your right and the baseball diamond in the distance to your left.
Before the sidewalk curves into the trees and crosses a bridge, look for the Shakespeare in the Park stage just up a slight incline under the trees
- You won’t miss us!
🎭 Performance Space
Located just uphill from the start of the wooded sidewalk path, before it turns and crosses the bridge.
Set in a shady grove with excellent visibility and natural acoustics.
- 🧭 Landmark: The baseball diamond is just west of the performance space—but no games are scheduled on show day.
♿ ADA Accessibility:
- The sidewalk from N Lake Park Rd is evenly paved and a short distance to the performance space.
- ADA drop-off is available at the end of N Lake Park Rd
- After drop-off, feel free to park along the road wherever space is available.
🗺️ For a map, visit the Main Shakespeare in the Park Map (Google Map)
🧺 What to Expect / We're here to Help – Comfort & Amenities
🎟️ Box Office / House / Information Tent:
Located near the sidewalk and easily visible from where you’ll park and walk in.
☀️ Sun/Shade:
We chose this new location in hopes of more consistent shade than the sunnier area across the thicket of trees where we previously performed.
🚻 Restrooms:
A standard-size portable restroom will be available near the performance space.
🧺 Picnics:
Picnics are welcome!
There are tables near the performance area, and plenty of space for a blanket or lawn chairs.
🍿 Concessions:
Optimist Theatre will offer light snacks and water by donation, beginning around 1:00 PM.
🍺 Beer Garden:
The Lake Park Beer Garden, near the Lake Park Friends building, will be open on show day.
🐾 Pets:
Well-behaved pets are welcome!
Please choose a spot near the edge in case your pet needs a break.
🐶 Service animals are always welcome.
🎟️ Box Office / House / Information Tent:
Located near the sidewalk and easily visible from where you’ll park and walk in.
- If you have a reservation, check in here for help locating your designated space. 👉 [More about Reservations is available on the main Shakespeare in the Park page]
☀️ Sun/Shade:
We chose this new location in hopes of more consistent shade than the sunnier area across the thicket of trees where we previously performed.
- Still, we recommend bringing a hat or sun protection, just in case!
🚻 Restrooms:
A standard-size portable restroom will be available near the performance space.
- For indoor facilities, follow the trail north to the Lake Park Friends building.
🧺 Picnics:
Picnics are welcome!
There are tables near the performance area, and plenty of space for a blanket or lawn chairs.
- Please be respectful of this natural area and pack out anything you bring in.
🍿 Concessions:
Optimist Theatre will offer light snacks and water by donation, beginning around 1:00 PM.
🍺 Beer Garden:
The Lake Park Beer Garden, near the Lake Park Friends building, will be open on show day.
- It’s a great pre-show or intermission stop for refreshments—please drink responsibly.
🐾 Pets:
Well-behaved pets are welcome!
Please choose a spot near the edge in case your pet needs a break.
🐶 Service animals are always welcome.
🌟 Lake Park Fun Facts
- Olmsted’s Romantic Masterpiece – Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted (of Central Park fame) in 1891, Lake Park spans a dramatic bluff overlooking Lake Michigan and was intentionally crafted to feel larger than its 138 acres
- Ancient Indian Mound – The park’s prehistoric conical burial mound, dating from around 300 BC–400 AD, is the only remaining Native American mound within Milwaukee city limits
- Historic Bridges & Lions – Lake Park features several rustic 1890s footbridges and two iconic "Lion Bridges," guarded by eight limestone lion sculptures by Paul Kupper, installed in 1897
- North Point Lighthouse – Originally built in 1855 and rebuilt in 1888 due to bluff erosion, the wrought-iron lighthouse now stands as a museum and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
- Oak Leaf Trail – The scenic Oak Leaf Trail runs through Lake Park as part of a 135-mile regional trail system, connecting major parks and river corridors throughout Milwaukee County
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Is Lake Park your park?
Download a Flyer and help spread the word! Choose the version that works best for you:
Flyers are available for all the parks as well. Please visit the Shakespeare in the Park 2025 page for additional downloads. Added as they become available. |
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