Shakespeare in Delaware Park (501c3) was founded in 1976 as a summer apprenticeship program for theatre students from SUNY Buffalo to work alongside professional actors. The high-quality productions were so well received by the community that the program expanded and grew into the beloved professional theatre company and Western New York summer tradition that it is today. SDP is now the second oldest and one of the largest outdoor Shakespeare companies in the country, playing each year to over 40,000 people from more than 23 states and Ontario, Canada.
Shakespeare in Delaware Park is a not-for-profit professional theatre company that provides free, high-quality public theatre to enrich, educate, and entertain diverse audiences through the works of William Shakespeare.
Our vision is to engage people of all walks of life in a deeply meaningful, communal experience, as they witness the truths of the human experience through the highest quality productions, featuring the timeless plays of William Shakespeare. SDP’s Core Values are Accessibility, Artistic Innovation, Audience Experience, Commitment to Excellence, Community, and Educational Enrichment.
Each summer, SDP presents two works of William Shakespeare, typically one tragedy or history and one comedy, each running 6 nights per week for 3.5 weeks, for a total of 44 performances. For 43 years, SDP has provided Western New York with free outdoor professional theatre and has grown into an anticipated and beloved summer tradition. SDP has mounted over 80 productions with approximately 3,000 presentations that have entertained an estimated 1.5 million guests!
SDP continues to establish and maintain relationships with other local organizations to foster collaboration. Some of these organizations include: Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Arts Partners For Learning, Young Audiences, Canalside, Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Shea’s Performing Arts Center, Buffalo Seminary, Buffalo Bison’s, Irish Classical Theatre, Ellicott Development, MusicalFare Theatre, Just Buffalo Literary Center, City of Buffalo, Olmstead Parks, Buffalo Ensemble Theatre, and Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart.
