Hilo’s Shakespeare in the Park was started in 1978 by Jackie Johnson and Paul Mark Clark as a means of sharing the gift of William Shakespeare’s works with the community they love.  And the community response has been nothing short of remarkable!  Each summer, Kalakaua Park fills up with Island residents of all ages, from the tiniest of keiki to the most respected kupuna.  It is a true joy to see this lovely park blossom with life and excitement as people brave the elements to enjoy a little bit of culture, Hilo-style.

King David Kalakaua, the Merrie Monarch

Since its inception, a lot  has changed in our community, and HCP’s Shakespeare in the Park has managed to change with the times.  Various productions through the years have provided theatre-goers with updated versions of Shakespeare’s plays, as well as very traditional approaches.  We try to provide a little bit of everything for our very diverse community.

Kalakaua Park, Downtown Hilo

We are so very grateful to the Hilo community for their ongoing support of this cherished tradition.  And we look forward to the opportunity to continue performing the Bard’s classic works, Rain or Shine!

The Plays:

1978 – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
—directed by Jackie Johnson-Debus
1979 – The Tempest
—directed by Jacky Johnson-Debus
1980 – The Taming of the Shrew
—directed by Helie Rock
1981 – As You Like It
—directed by Peter Franklin White
1982 – Hamlet
—directed by Peter Schickler
1983 – Romeo and Juliet
—directed by Julian Canuso
1984 – The Comedy of Errors
—directed by Don Moody
1985 – Othello
—directed by John Koch
1986 – Twelfth Night
—directed by Perter Charlot
1987 – Julius Caesar
—directed by Paul Mark Clark
1988 – The Merry Wives of Windsor
—directed by Margaret Harshbarger
1989 – Antony and Cleopatra
—directed by Pru Sillito
1990 – The Merchant of Venice
—directed by Julian Canuso
1991 – The Tragedy of Richard the Second
—directed by Don Moody
1992 – King Henry the Fourth, part one
—directed by Paul Mark Clark
1993 – King Henry the Fourth, part two
—directed by Beth Kucharczyk
1994 – Henry the Fifth
—directed by Robin Hilliard
1995 – Two Gentlemen of Verona
—directed by Laura Andres
1996 – The Tragedy of King Richard the Third
—directed by Jackie Seaquist
1997 – Measure for Measure
—directed by Don Moody
1998 – Macbeth
—directed by Jackie Pualani Johnson
1999 – The Winter’s Tale
—directed by Cathy Punch
2000 – Titus Andronicus
—directed by Catherine McPherson
and Sharon Furstenwerth
2001 – King Lear
—directed by Paul Mark Clark
2002 – One Uddah Mid’summah
—directed by Jackie Pualani Johnson
2003 – Much Ado About Nothing
—directed by Justina Mattos
2004 – Romeo & Juliet
—directed by Cathy Punch
2005 – Twelfth Night
—directed by Laura Andres
2006 – The Tempest
—directed by Randy Raphael

2007 – The Best of the Bard

—multiple directors

2008 – Hamlet

—directed by Laura Andres

2009 – The Taming of the Shrew

—directed by Randy Raphael

Coming this summer:

2010 – Love’s Labour’s Lost

—directed by Jake McPherson

and Amy Jackson