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MURRAY, Ky. 鈥� The 26th annual Murray Shakespeare Festival returns to the beautifully renovated Lovett Auditorium on the campus of 麻豆视频官网入口 in March 2026, where Tennessee Shakespeare Company鈥檚 professional traveling company will stage two performances of Romeo and Juliet on March 4 and March 5, and the Kentucky Shakespeare Company will stage two performances of The Tempest on March 6 and March 7.

Tickets for all four performances are free of charge. Large groups such as school groups are encouraged to reserve tickets in advance by contacting Murray Shakespeare Festival Chair Dr. Rusty Jones at wjones1@murraystate.edu or call 270-809-2397. Tickets for individuals will also be available at the door.

Since 2000, the Murray State Shakespeare Festival has enabled thousands of K-12 students to see Shakespeare come alive for the first time. Both of this year鈥檚 productions are appropriate for middle and high school students, as well as for adults, and are often studied by students in these grade levels as part of their curriculum. 

Romeo and Juliet begins as one of Shakespeare鈥檚 great comedies, but ends in perhaps his gravest tragedy. Laced with sword fights, dancing, timeless poetry, and the world鈥檚 most famous young couple, Romeo and Juliet is a theatrical event not to be missed. This production plays without intermission in 90 minutes. Performances of Romeo and Juliet will be held on Wednesday, March 4, and Thursday, March 5, starting at 10 a.m. 

In The Tempest, the exiled Duke Prospero uses his magic and cunning to orchestrate a shipwreck on an enchanted island, bringing his enemies to face the consequences of their betrayal. Amid a tale of love, revenge and reconciliation, this comedy explores themes of power, forgiveness and the human desire for redemption. With its captivating blend of fantasy and profound human emotion, The Tempest is a timeless story of transformation and discovery. Performances of The Tempest will be held on Friday, March 6, starting at 7 p.m., and a matinee on Saturday, March 7, starting at 2 p.m.

The Murray Shakespeare Festival began in 2001, and was originally created to serve as a resource for the region鈥檚 teachers. The Festival鈥檚 performances bring Shakespearean texts to life for students through high-quality theatrical productions, and welcomes hundreds of K-12 students from across the Jackson Purchase region, in addition to Murray State students and members of the community each year. 

Kentucky Shakespeare, based in Louisville, Kentucky, employs groups of well-trained actors who enact Shakespeare鈥檚 most popular plays in ways that inspire students to learn more about the Bard. Learn more about Kentucky Shakespeare at . Tennessee Shakespeare Company is a professional theatre and education organization based in Memphis dedicated to live performances of William Shakespeare鈥檚 plays, as well as works of social significance by classical, Southern, and modern writers. The group also provides innovative educational and training programming both in person and online. Visit to learn more about Tennessee Shakespeare Company. 

For more information about the Murray Shakespeare Festival or to reserve tickets for large groups (especially school groups), contact Murray Shakespeare Festival Chair Dr. Rusty Jones at wjones1@murraystate.edu or call 270-809-2397. Find full information about this year鈥檚 festival and related events at or by googling 鈥淢urray Shakespeare Festival.鈥�

Follow the College of Humanities and Fine Arts on Facebook and Instagram @murraystatechfa for more updates.