About Door Shakespeare

Door Shakespeare was created under umbrella of then named American Folklore Theater in collaboration with Blue Circle Theatre in 1995. The first season produced in the Garden at Björklunden included “A Midsommer Night’s Dream” and “The Comedie of Errors,” which played in conjunction with the same acting company performing across the peninsula at American Folklore Theater (Now, Northern Sky Theater). In 1999, the organization became its own non-profit and has since produced 40 striking productions of classical theater by playwrights including Shakespeare, Moliere, and Oscar Wilde in the Garden of Björklunden’s 405-acre estate on Lake Michigan in Baileys Harbor.

Under the leadership of Michael Stebbins and Amy Ensign, Door Shakespeare’s presence in the local and regional community continues to grow and is enriched by educational programming, including the Door Shakespeare’s Camp Will, Will in the Woods, Shake it up Saturday, and Shakespeare in the Schools. Door Shakespeare’s productions have been recognized and ranked in the top 10 theatrical experiences in the state of Wisconsin by The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The 2020 season will feature Wm. Shakespeare’s Hamlet, directed by Michael Stebbins, David Davalos’s Wittenberg, directed by Marcella Kearns, and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) [Revised], by Adam Long, Daniel Singer, and Jess Winfield, directed by Michael Stebbins.

Door Shakespeare is a professional theatre company, employing members of the Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.

Door Shakespeare’s performance season is supported in part by the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the state of Wisconsin.

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide relevant and entertaining productions of the works of William Shakespeare and other classical playwrights through artistic excellence in both the conception and performance of our plays, and to enhance the theatrical experience through interactive educational opportunities designed for audiences of all ages, thereby creating a common ground to experience these celebrated traditions.

Shakespeare Theatre Association

Door Shakespeare is proud to be a member of The Shakespeare Theatre Association (STA) and partner of the Folger Shakespeare Library. For more information visit www.stahome.org or www.folger.edu.

Door Shakespeare website photography courtesy of  Heidi Hodges, Len Villano, Bruce Ambuel, Torey Byrne, Jason Fassl, Katie Sikora, Suzi Hass, and Rick Spaulding.