2024 Festival Overview

2024 Dates & Deadlines

  • Call for Artwork: Open now, Closes December 1st (please spread the word widely!)

  • Roll Call: Open now (add yourself to the mailing list & RSVP for your group attending), reserve your bus early!

  • Registration: Opens November 1st, Closes January 19th

  • Performance Information: Opens March 1st, Closes March 15th

  • Preview Dates in-school with DCPA Teaching Artist: March 11th-22nd

  • Student Involvement Applications (Shakespeare/Queen Elizabeth/Jester, stage management of stages, Challenge Bowl participation, etc): Opens January 19th, Closes March 15th

  • Stage Information Shared: April 5th

  • Festival: April 26th | 10am-4pm (Denver Arts Complex with Opening Ceremonies at Skyline Park)

Festival Schedule

10:00 am

  • Opening Ceremonies in Skyline Park (15th and Arapahoe)

10:15 am

  • 40th Annual Elizabethan Route Parade from Skyline Park, down the 16th St. Mall to Curtis St., thence to the Denver Arts Complex.

    • Maps (Coming Soon)

10:45 am – 4:15 pm

  • Student performances on numerous stages throughout the Denver Performing Arts Complex and Street Theatre.

    • Schedule of Stages (Coming Soon)

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

  • The Shakespeare Challenge Bowl, featuring students at The Joe Craft Theatre (inside the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex). Performances continue at the other stages.

General Reminders

  1. Wear comfortable shoes that also fit the character’s costume.

  2. Buses will drop you off at the “Downtown” location, which is 15th and Arapahoe.

  3. The opening ceremony is from 10:00 – 10:15 a.m. There will be no port-o-potties at this location. It is mandatory that we pick up our own trash at this small park: please bring a trash bag for that purpose.

  4. We then parade down the 16th street mall , 1 block, and then down Curtis, two blocks, to the Denver Performing Arts Complex. You are welcome and encouraged to bring a school banner for the parade.

  5. Food will be available from vendors, and you are welcome to bring your own sack lunches. Bring water. Please be mindful of the festival space and encourage  students to leave no trace of our presence.

  6. BE PREPARED FOR INCLEMENT WEATHER.

  7. Restrooms are available inside Boettcher Hall and The Joe Craft stage. Port-o-potties will also be available.

  8. First aid will be manned by DPS nurses, inside Boettcher Hall.