Free Shakespeare in the heart of Harlem
Since 2013, Uptown Shakespeare in the Park has brought a full professional production of the classics to Marcus Garvey Park each summer, free for everyone.
Uptown Shakespeare in the Park is The Classical Theatre of Harlem’s summer festival. Each July, CTH stages a new production with a professional company of actors, designers and crew, built around the context of the African Diaspora and played under the open sky.
The show is only part of the night. Neighbors, families and first-timers arrive early for the market, meet friends in the park and stay for a classic told for Harlem today.
- WhereRichard Rodgers Amphitheater, Marcus Garvey Park, Harlem. The amphitheater is wheelchair accessible.
- WhenSummer evenings in July, Tuesday through Sunday.
- AdmissionFree. Reserve a seat online when RSVPs open; walk-ups are welcome as space allows.
- Before curtainA pop-up market Thursday to Sunday with Uptown Grand Central and The Harlem Night Market.
- AccessAn ASL-interpreted performance each run, presented with Inclusive Communication Services in 2026.
By the numbers
Figures from the 2026 season, Othello, directed by Carl Cofield.
RSVPs reserved
A company record in 2026, up 13.5% on the year before.
Audience counted
Across 16 counted nights, after smoke and storms cancelled five.
A night at the peak
The closing nights ran over capacity on walk-ups.
Live in the five boroughs
A quarter of the audience comes from Central and East Harlem.
People of color
Of 5,155 audience members surveyed in the park.
Came on a recommendation
Word of mouth brings in nearly half of every audience.
In economic activity each July
Created in the neighborhood thanks to the presence of CTH and its audiences.
Harlem’s audience for the classics
Nearly half of our audience is 40 or older, a quarter speaks more than one language, and 35% live in Harlem or Upper Manhattan.
A festival uptown
The park fills before curtain, and the neighborhood comes with it.
Pop-up market
Thursday to Sunday, Uptown Grand Central and The Harlem Night Market bring dozens of local vendors and community activations into the park, including free health screenings.
Want to sell at the Vendor Village? Contact Alexis Marnel.
Harlem businesses
Neighborhood partners sponsor the season, run round-up campaigns and offer discounts to anyone in a CTH t-shirt after a show. In 2026 they included Harlem Shake, The Lido Group, Red Rooster Harlem, Harlemite and Sottocasa.
Open to everyone
Free admission, a wheelchair-accessible amphitheater and an ASL-interpreted performance remove the barriers to a night of classical theatre.
In the press
22 press placements in 2026, from national dailies to the Harlem papers.
The New York Times · The Wall Street Journal · CBS News · Time Out New York · Playbill · American Theatre · TheaterMania · BroadwayWorld · New York Stage Review · New York Amsterdam News · Harlem World
Keep Shakespeare free in Harlem
Every seat at Uptown Shakespeare in the Park is free. Supporters like you keep it that way.