In 1971, the southeast, basically D.C. to Dallas, did not have a professional Shakespeare company. In 1972, the Alabama Shakespeare Festival was established in Anniston, with performances presented in the high school auditorium. The inaugural season had around 3,000 audience members, which grew to 15,000 by 1977. Later, Anniston constructed today's Performing Arts Center, a 1,000 seat air-conditioned auditorium, complete with a thrust space ideal for Shakespeare. Audiences came from across the state and southeast to see mostly Shakespearean works paired with other classics.
In 1985, the "state theater" moved to Montgomery.The Chamber & Visitors Center promotes and sustains the economic growth of Calhoun County's region. The Chamber Foundation focuses on education, workforce development, marketing & community development, creating programs to enhance our schools & leverage businesses.
In 2018, the Bard is back in Anniston. The Chamber & Visitors Center, in partnership with JSU's Drama Department, local schools, Anniston Parks & Rec and local arts organizations including CAST, has established The Shakespeare Project to enhance the understanding of performing arts and literature by presenting free professional productions of classic works, including Shakespeare.
August 15 through 17, there will be free professional productions of Julius Caesar for our schools, and August 18 & 19, this free production will also be presented to our community at the Anniston Performing Arts Center, the original home of the Alabama Shakespeare Festival.
More information coming soon, but make plans to join us this August!
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