The Free Will Players Theatre Guild has produced the Freewill Shakespeare Festival in Edmonton, Alberta since 1989, bringing world-class theatre to the community in a spirit of collaboration and accessibility. Founded by local artists with a commitment to sharing Shakespeare’s work beyond traditional theatre walls, the organization has grown into a cornerstone of Edmonton’s summer cultural life. Each season, Free Will Players employs more than 45 local artists, administrators, and support staff and has welcomed over 300,000 patrons across its history. Through bold, contemporary interpretations performed in the original text, the Festival invites audiences of all backgrounds to experience the enduring relevance and joy of Shakespeare in an open, welcoming environment.

At the heart of Free Will Players’ work is a commitment to access, education, and artistic excellence. The organization creates professional, innovative productions that are financially and physically accessible to audiences of all ages, abilities, and income levels. By investing in professional Canadian artists and mentoring emerging theatre practitioners, Free Will Players strengthens the local arts ecosystem while cultivating new and diverse audiences. Community support and charitable giving directly enable the Festival to remain affordable, to deepen public engagement with Shakespeare’s ideas, and to inspire young artists and audiences for generations to come.

For more information please visit our website at www.freewillshakespeare.com or subscribe to our email newsletter.