Austin Shakespeare's Mission Possible!
The Austin Shakespeare Festival presents professional theatre of the highest quality with an emphasis on the plays of William Shakespeare, bringing to the public performances that are fresh, bold, imaginative, thought-provoking, and eminently accessible, connecting the truths of the past with the challenges and possibilities of today. The Austin Shakespeare Founded in 1984 Austin Shakespeare is the only professional classic theatre company in Central Texas.
The Curtain Theater
The Curtain is a scaled-down replica of the original Globe Theatre in London, designed and built by Richard Garriott. It is nestled in the hills of Mr. Garriott's West Austin estate.
Mr. Garriott has generously invited Austin Shakespeare to consider The Curtain Theater as its theatrical home and to use The Curtain for all future performances other than the annual Austin Shakespeare Festival free production in Zilker Park.
To reach the Curtain, starting from Loop 360 and 2222:
- Go west on 2222 to City Park Road and turn left
- Go .9 miles, up the hill and past the POACHERS BEWARE sign
- Turn left on Bridgepoint Parkway and go until it dead-ends
- Turn right onto Coldwater Canyon Dr. and go down hill, through the gates, and stay to the left until you reach the waterfront
News: Shakespeare Under the Stars
News: Austin Shakespeare Festival - Playing in a Theatrical Mecca
News: Raising the Curtain for ASF
Artistic Director Ann Ciccolella
Ann is a frequent guest lecturer at the University of Texas department of Theatre and dance, and has taught at St. Edwards University. As a director at Zachary Scott Theatre Center, Ann directed: Cabaret, The Vagina Monologues, Full Gallop, Closer, Master Class, and Misery. In Zilker park, she staged Sondheim's Into the Woods (1990), and for The Austin Shakespeare Festival A Midsummer Night's Dream (1992). In Austin, she also directed Hedda Gabler, and Other People's Money, as well as productions of her scripts as a playwright.
Before moving to Austin, Ann served as associate director for SHAKESPEARE ON WHEELS, from the University of Maryland Baltimore Country for three years. For ten years, she led the Renaissance Theater Company as Artistic Director, producing and directing Off Broadway and along the East Coast with shows ranging from Romeo and Juliet, to Oedipus Rex to Cyrano de Bergerac. In New York, she directed Measure for Measure in Washington Square Park, The Oresteia at the New York Shakespeare Ensemble, and Checkov's The Seagull. Ann is a graduate of NYU in Dramatic Literature, History of Theater and Cinema.
As of Aug. 9, 2007 Ann Ciccolella was hired as the new Artistic Director of Austin Shakespeare. Later that day, City Council member Mike Martinez, and Austin City Manager Toby Futrell presented Ciccolella with a "Distinguished Service Award" for her advocacy in building the creative community of Austin.
Ciccolella joins the Festival following an eight-year tenure at Austin’s Zachary Scott Theatre as managing director. A long-standing arts enthusiast, Ciccolella has worked with the Austin Circle of Theatres and the Renaissance Theatre Company, while frequently lecturing at The University of Texas at Austin and teaching at St. Edward’s University. As a driving force in the community, Ciccolella worked intensely with voters to garner $32.5 million in bonds for Austin’s arts facilities.
