Washington Park
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📅 Sunday, July 13, 2025
Welcome!
Thank you for joining Shakespeare in the Park at Washington Park! 2025 marks our 4th season at this gem of a park. Years 1 and 2 were at very different locations. In 2024, Optimist discovered this lovely, shady hillside and has made it our new home for performances. 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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Washington 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 Washington Park is Pretty in Pink: Renaissance-Era Costumes for Stage and Street
- 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 Here - Location and Directions
📍 Park Address:
We recommend using the address for the Washington Park Senior Center: 4420 W Vliet Street, Milwaukee, WI
🚗 Parking
🚶 Walking from Parking
🎭 Performance Location
♿ ADA & Mobility Access
🗺️ For a map, visit the Main Shakespeare in the Park Map (Google Map)
📍 Park Address:
We recommend using the address for the Washington Park Senior Center: 4420 W Vliet Street, Milwaukee, WI
- This will bring you close to Olmsted Way, which runs diagonally through the park from southeast to northwest. Enter Olmsted Way from Vliet Street, just east of the Senior Center.
- You can also enter the park via W Washington Blvd, which turns into Olmstead Way.
🚗 Parking
- Parallel parking is available along Olmsted Way
- ⚠️ Use caution — traffic is steady and brisk along this road
- Look for the Picnic Area 2 sign as an indicator you're parking near the performance space
🚶 Walking from Parking
- The performance area is located just west of Picnic Area 2
- You’ll be crossing Olmsted Way, so please use caution
- The site is on a grassy hillside
🎭 Performance Location
- North of Olmsted Way
- South of the Goethe-Schiller monument
- West of Picnic Area 2
- On the opposite side of the hill from the bandshell (which is not visible from the site and not in use)
♿ ADA & Mobility Access
- ⚠️ Traffic along Olmsted Way is brisk — if dropping off passengers near Picnic Area 2, use extreme caution and hazard lights
- A sidewalk with a curb cut by the Picnic Area 2 sign leads toward the site
- The sidewalk covers about ¾ of the distance — the final stretch is across grass
- Mobility assistance is recommended for guests using wheelchairs or walkers
🗺️ 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 performance area and opens one hour before the first performance.
☀️ Sun/Shade:
This is a hillside location is fairly shady with some sun depending on the time of the performance you're attending. Bring hats or sun protection.
🚻 Restrooms:
A standard-size portable restroom will be available near the performance space.
🧺 Picnics:
Very welcome!
♿ ADA Accessibility:
🍿 Concessions:
Optimist Theatre will have light snacks available by donation
🐾 Pets:
Well-behaved pets are welcome!
More Information:
For more information about What to Bring, Weather, Registration, Reservations, and much more, click the gold image below to return to the main Shakespeare in the Park page.
Box Office / House / Information Tent:
Located near the performance area and opens one hour before the first performance.
- If you have a reservation, check in here for help locating your designated space. 👉 [More about Reservations]
☀️ Sun/Shade:
This is a hillside location is fairly shady with some sun depending on the time of the performance you're attending. Bring hats or sun protection.
🚻 Restrooms:
A standard-size portable restroom will be available near the performance space.
🧺 Picnics:
Very welcome!
- No picnic tables near the performance site
- Picnic tables are available at nearby Picnic Area 2
- Bring a blanket or portable chair for your comfort
♿ ADA Accessibility:
- Accessible curb and sidewalk from Olmsted Way
- Final approach across grass requires assistance
- Audience seating is on grass—chairs or blankets recommended
🍿 Concessions:
Optimist Theatre will have light snacks available by donation
- Tent opens around 1:00 PM and closes during performances
- 🚫 No alcohol is permitted in Milwaukee County Parks
🐾 Pets:
Well-behaved pets are welcome!
- Please select a spot near the edge in case your pet needs a break.
More Information:
For more information about What to Bring, Weather, Registration, Reservations, and much more, click the gold image below to return to the main Shakespeare in the Park page.
🌟 Fun Facts – Washington Park
- Olmsted-designed oasis:
Originally called West Park, it was designed in 1891–92 by Frederick Law Olmsted & Co. as part of Milwaukee’s citywide parks effort—emphasizing rolling terrain, scenic views, and native plantings - Milwaukee’s first zoo:
From 1892 to 1958, this park was home to the city’s first zoo. It grew to 23 acres by 1902, becoming the sixth-largest zoo in the country by 1907—including polar bears, seals, buffalo, and more - Emil Blatz Temple of Music:
Built in 1938 and funded by Emil Blatz, this striking bandshell hosted the beloved Music Under the Stars concert series. It once drew crowds of over 40,000—and featured performers like Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and even President Barack Obama in 2004 - Goethe‑Schiller Monument:
This 1908 bronze monument honors German poets Goethe and Schiller. One of only four castings in the U.S., it was relocated within the park in 1960 - Historic landmark recognition:
In 2023, the park was officially designated a Milwaukee County Historic Landmark, reaffirming its importance in landscape architecture and community identity
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Is Washington 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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