The Abilene Shakespeare Festival, which takes place every other year, provides an excellent opportunity to expose West Texas to the major works of Shakespeare and other classical literature. Our audiences have been made up of young and old, blue collar and white collar, cowboy and executive. We continue to introduce Shakespeare to new patrons who have little experience in regular theatre-going, and we are committed to bringing them high-quality, exciting new productions of classical works for little to no admission price.
2026 Abilene Shakespeare Festival Productions
The Winter’s Tale
by William Shakespeare
Directed by Adam Hester
With the fantastical elements of a fairy tale, Shakespeare’s astonishing romance is a thrilling journey filled with emotional depth, passionate outbursts, complex relationships—and a bear in pursuit. A tribute to the magic of storytelling, The Winter’s Tale presents a rich tapestry of love, strife, hope, and resurrection in a bittersweet and human story about the miracle of forgiveness. “Thou met’st with things dying, I with things newborn.”
June 11, 13 and 14, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.
Fulks Theatre
The Comedy of Errors
by William Shakespeare
Directed by Gary Varner
Imagine you’ve just arrived in town unaware that your twin brother (who you were separated from at childbirth) is there as well. Imagine further that your brother’s wife mistakes you for him—but not before you’ve tried to romance his wife’s sister. Director Gary Varner takes an innovative approach to Shakespeare’s funniest play about mistaken identity. The Comedy of Errors is a madcap farce brimming with vaudevillian slapstick and lightning-paced comedy.
June 10 and 12, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.
June 14, 2026 at 2 p.m.
Fulks Theatre
Sunday, January 25, 2026
Fulks Theatre
The Winter’s Tale
1 – 5 p.m.
The Comedy of Errors
6:30 – 10:30 p.m.
Prior to the audition –
- Fill out the appropriate audition form
- Email the form to Adam Hester, hestera@acu.edu and Gary Varner, varnerg@acu.edu
- Include a headshot with the form
The Comedy of Errors
Auditions
When:
Sunday, January 25
from 6:30 – 10:30 p.m.
Where:
Fulks Theatre in the Williams Performing Arts Center on the ACU campus
What to prepare:
For the audition:
- Prepare one 60-second monologue from The Comedy of Errors.
- You will then be given a side to read from the play.
Performance Dates for The Comedy of Errors
June 10 and 12 at 7:30 p.m.; June 14 at 2 p.m., at Fulks Theatre
Here is a link to the full script for The Comedy of Errors
Questions?
Email Gary Varner, varnerg@acu.edu
The Winter’s Tale
Auditions
When:
Sunday, January 25
from 1 – 5 p.m.
Where:
Fulks Theatre in the Williams Performing Arts Center on the ACU campus
Please arrive a few minutes early.
For the audition:
- Sign up for an audition slot here
- Prepare one 60-second serious monologue from Shakespeare. Choose a monologue written in verse.
- You may also be given a monologue from The Winter’s Tale to perform.
- Autolycus sings several songs, accompanying himself on the guitar. If this is your preferred role, bring your guitar and perform a 16-bar selection in addition to your monologue.
Rehearsals will be M-F, 6:30-10:30 p.m. beginning May 11 for The Winter’s Tale.
Performance Dates for The Winter’s Tale
June 11, 13 and 14 at 7:30 p.m. at Fulks Theatre
Here is a link to the full-length script of The Winter’s Tale
Here is the link to the cutting we will use for performance.
Questions?
Email Adam Hester, hestera@acu.edu
Taming of the Shrew 2023
Love’s Labour’s Lost 2023
Taming of the Shrew 2023
Taming of the Shrew 2023
Love’s Labour’s Lost 2023
Love’s Labour’s Lost 2023
