The Nebraska Shakespeare Festival, also known as Shakespeare on the Green, is a publicly-supported theater company located in Omaha, Nebraska, that presents free outdoor productions of William Shakespeare's works during the summer months. This annual festival is a beloved event in the state's cultural calendar, attracting audiences from across Nebraska and beyond.

Since its inception in 1987, the Nebraska Shakespeare Festival has been a collaborative effort between professional theater artists, educators, and community members. The company's mission is to enhance the local community's understanding and appreciation of Shakespeare's plays, while promoting theater arts education through workshops, lectures, and performances. The festival's productions are carefully crafted to be accessible to a broad audience, from scholars to families with young children.

One of the festival's most distinctive features is its outdoor setting. Performances take place in Memorial Park, a scenic area of Omaha located near the city's central business district. The performances are presented on a large thrust stage, allowing the audience to surround the actors and become immersed in the action. The park's natural surroundings provide a unique backdrop for the performances, with the mature trees and rolling hills creating a sense of intimacy and atmosphere.

In addition to the performances, the Nebraska Shakespeare Festival offers a range of educational programs for students and adults. The company's annualakespeare Academy provides high school students with an intensive, multi-day workshop on Shakespeare's plays, led by professional theater artists and educators. The festival also offers lectures, panel discussions, and pre-show talks that provide background information on the plays and their historical context.

The Nebraska Shakespeare Festival's commitment to scholarship and artistic excellence has earned it numerous awards and accolades, including the Omaha Entertainment and Arts Award for Outstanding Production. The company's productions are also notable for their innovative staging and use of contemporary themes and settings, which help to make Shakespeare's works more accessible and relevant to modern audiences.

Over the years, the Nebraska Shakespeare Festival has collaborated with other arts organizations and cultural institutions in Omaha, including the Joslyn Art Museum and the Holland Performing Arts Center. These partnerships have enabled the company to present a range of events and activities that complement its productions, from art exhibitions to concerts and lectures.

The Nebraska Shakespeare Festival's contributions to the state's cultural heritage have been recognized by the Nebraska State Legislature, which has declared the company an "essential part of the state's cultural landscape." The company's commitment to providing free public access to high-quality theatrical performances has also earned it support from a range of community organizations and sponsors.

In recent years, the Nebraska Shakespeare Festival has continued to expand its reach and scope, presenting performances and educational programs throughout the state. The company's long-term goal is to create a permanent outdoor theater in Omaha's Memorial Park, which would provide a dedicated venue for its productions and allow the company to host a wider range of events and activities.

The Nebraska Shakespeare Festival is a remarkable example of the power of arts education and community engagement to enrich the cultural life of a region. As a beloved Nebraska institution, it continues to provide inspiration and entertainment for audiences of all ages.