Wisconsin Lutheran College
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📅 Saturday, July 12, 2025
Welcome to Shakespeare in the Park at Wisconsin Lutheran College!
We’re thrilled to return for our third season at this beautiful campus green — and to kick off the 2025 season right here at Wisconsin Lutheran College. With extra special thanks to our gracious hosts at WLC Fine Arts, Simon Provan and Loni Boyd, this sunny central quad becomes our stage for a day of theatre, music, and community. 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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Wisconsin Lutheran College 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 Wisconsin Lutheran College 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 & Directions
Location: Wisconsin Lutheran College
Performances take place on the central quad — a large, sunny grassy area in the middle of campus. The quad is not visible from surrounding streets, so look for Shakespeare in the Park signage to guide you.
🚗 Navigation Option 1 – Wisconsin Avenue📍 Center for Arts and Performance Address:
8815 W Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53226
Parking & Walking:
Approaching from Wisconsin Avenue, you may park on the street or in the faculty parking lot. Your walking route will vary slightly depending on where you park:
♿ Mobility Drop-off: The small permit-only lot on N 89th Street offers the flattest access to the performance area. Drop-offs only—no parking permitted.
🚗 Navigation Option 2 – Bluemound Road📍 WLC Main Entrance Address:
8800 W Bluemound Rd, Wauwatosa, WI 53226
Parking & Walking:
Free parking is available along Bluemound Road. Please do not park in college lots. From the street:
♿ Mobility Drop-off Note: While access from Bluemound is possible, it’s a longer and less level route. The N 89th Street drop-off (described above) is recommended for guests with mobility needs.
🗺️ [Click here to open the full Google Map for all Shakespeare in the Park locations]
Location: Wisconsin Lutheran College
Performances take place on the central quad — a large, sunny grassy area in the middle of campus. The quad is not visible from surrounding streets, so look for Shakespeare in the Park signage to guide you.
🚗 Navigation Option 1 – Wisconsin Avenue📍 Center for Arts and Performance Address:
8815 W Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53226
Parking & Walking:
Approaching from Wisconsin Avenue, you may park on the street or in the faculty parking lot. Your walking route will vary slightly depending on where you park:
- Faculty Lot: Enter the large grassy campus quad via the stairs at the south end of the lot.
- Street Parking (West of N 89th St): Walk east toward the Center for Performing Arts, then turn right up N 89th Street. Enter campus via the first small student parking lot on your left.
- Street Parking (East of the Center): Walk west to the faculty lot entrance and use the staircase at the south end to reach the quad.
♿ Mobility Drop-off: The small permit-only lot on N 89th Street offers the flattest access to the performance area. Drop-offs only—no parking permitted.
🚗 Navigation Option 2 – Bluemound Road📍 WLC Main Entrance Address:
8800 W Bluemound Rd, Wauwatosa, WI 53226
Parking & Walking:
Free parking is available along Bluemound Road. Please do not park in college lots. From the street:
- Walk toward the main entrance and follow the sidewalk around the east side of the building.
- Signage will direct you to the grassy campus quad and performance area.
♿ Mobility Drop-off Note: While access from Bluemound is possible, it’s a longer and less level route. The N 89th Street drop-off (described above) is recommended for guests with mobility needs.
🗺️ [Click here to open the full Google Map for all Shakespeare in the Park locations]
🧺 What to Expect / We’re Here to Help – Comfort & Amenities
Box Office / House / Info Tent
Will open at least one hour before the first performance and will be located at the edge of the campus quad.
If you have a reservation, check in here and we’ll help you find your pre-selected space.
👉 More about reservations is on the main Shakespeare in the Park 2025 page
☀️ Sun/Shade: The WLC quad is very sunny and has minimal shade. Hats, sunscreen, and hydration are strongly encouraged!
🚻 Restrooms:
Indoor restrooms are available in the Center for Arts and Performance, with easy access from the performance space.
🧺 Picnics:
Bring a blanket and enjoy a picnic before, during, or after the show. There are no picnic tables, but there’s plenty of open space.
🚫 No alcohol is permitted on campus.
♿ ADA Accessibility - In addition to the navigation tips above
– Accessible Parking: Street parking only; nearest drop-off point is 89th Street
– Pathways: Accessible, flat entrance available via the 89th Street drop-off area
– Restrooms: Indoor and accessible via the Center for Arts and Performance
– Seating: Audience seating is on lush grass — please bring a chair or blanket
🍿 Concessions
Optimist Theatre concessions will be available at this location.
🐾 Pets
Please leave pets at home for this location. Wisconsin Lutheran College is not a public park and does not permit pets on campus grounds.
🐶 Service animals are always welcome.
Box Office / House / Info Tent
Will open at least one hour before the first performance and will be located at the edge of the campus quad.
If you have a reservation, check in here and we’ll help you find your pre-selected space.
👉 More about reservations is on the main Shakespeare in the Park 2025 page
☀️ Sun/Shade: The WLC quad is very sunny and has minimal shade. Hats, sunscreen, and hydration are strongly encouraged!
🚻 Restrooms:
Indoor restrooms are available in the Center for Arts and Performance, with easy access from the performance space.
🧺 Picnics:
Bring a blanket and enjoy a picnic before, during, or after the show. There are no picnic tables, but there’s plenty of open space.
🚫 No alcohol is permitted on campus.
♿ ADA Accessibility - In addition to the navigation tips above
– Accessible Parking: Street parking only; nearest drop-off point is 89th Street
– Pathways: Accessible, flat entrance available via the 89th Street drop-off area
– Restrooms: Indoor and accessible via the Center for Arts and Performance
– Seating: Audience seating is on lush grass — please bring a chair or blanket
🍿 Concessions
Optimist Theatre concessions will be available at this location.
- Light snacks will be offered for a suggested donation.
🐾 Pets
Please leave pets at home for this location. Wisconsin Lutheran College is not a public park and does not permit pets on campus grounds.
🐶 Service animals are always welcome.
🌟 Fun Facts – Wisconsin Lutheran College
🤝 Shakespeare in the Park is proudly hosted by Wisconsin Lutheran College and the Center for Performing Arts
Special thanks to Simon Provan and Loni Boyd for making it possible to rehearse in their beautiful facility.
- Humble beginnings in 1973 – WLC began as a junior college with just 24 students and a part-time faculty, initially lacking its own buildings, before evolving into a four-year liberal arts institution by 1985
- Campus growth & historic library – In 1977, WLC acquired its first permanent campus (8.5 acres), and in 1982 the college famously rescued a 60,000-volume library from the closing Milton College
- Top-tier recognition – For 2025, WLC was ranked 16th among Regional Colleges in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report and named best small college in Wisconsin by Niche
- Division III Warriors & vibrant campus life – With 18 NCAA Division III sports, league-leading residence halls (12th best in the U.S.), and over 35 student clubs—including concert band, jazz band, theatre, esports, choirs, and intramurals—life at WLC is lively
🤝 Shakespeare in the Park is proudly hosted by Wisconsin Lutheran College and the Center for Performing Arts
Special thanks to Simon Provan and Loni Boyd for making it possible to rehearse in their beautiful facility.
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Is Wisconsin Lutheran College 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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