Mission and Values

Our Mission:

Maryland Shakespeare Festival brings Shakespearean and classic theatre to everyone through a unique and powerful connection with its community of theatergoers, artists and students.  Maryland Shakespeare Festival enlightens, educates and awakens a world of infinite possibility.

Vision

MSF is known internationally for its illuminating productions of Shakespeare’s plays that are true to the original spirit of his work. Our integration of professional performance and education programs is emulated by theatre companies world-wide.

• MSF is home to a core company of professional actors and theatre artists who perform, teach and mentor.
• Thousands attend the repertory season in our Elizabethan venue and our contemporary performance space.
• Through the exploration of Elizabethan original practices, the Bare Bard continues to evolve as the core of our performance program, being invited to other venues and to assume residencies in colleges and universities.
• Our training programs draw theatre artists from around the world.
• Good Will Tour plays in outdoor venues in the mid-Atlantic region using a mix of professional actors, interns and apprentices drawn from our education programs.
• Our school programs have expanded to include all ages of school children and has widened its tour to include the U.S. throughout the entire school year.
• Riotous Youth is invited to perform at festivals.
• Other communities are inspired by and emulate our Riotous Youth program.
• Philanthropists, theatre lovers and supporters eagerly contribute money and support sufficient to ensure our success.

Values that unite us:

The Maryland Shakespeare Festival is committed to the highest artistic and professional aesthetic in bringing the legacy of Shakespeare to our audiences, children and communities.

• We value pursuing excellence while fostering a spirit of inquiry in all our work.
• We believe in a spirit of serious play that tempers a strong work ethic and sense of purpose with joy, humor, and wit.
• We value a spirit of generosity and honesty in which all persons are honored for their experience, humanity, and individuality.
• We believe that our staff and artists should receive competitive wages and secure benefits.
• We are committed to creating an environment in which artists are encouraged to grow, develop and take risks.
• We believe that exploring Elizabethan theatrical practices can create enlivening experiences for contemporary audiences and that the relationship between actors and audience is at the heart of the theatrical experience.
• We are committed to a model that both educates and mentors.
• We value and encourage, and listen to the voices of our children, and then listen to them.
• We value diversity and strive to be good neighbors and to work for the community’s well-being.