Commonwealth Shakespeare Company

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The Commonwealth Shakespeare Company (CSC) was formed in 1996 by artistic director Steven Maler and associate Joan Moynagh to bring free, outdoor Shakespeare to the people of the city of Boston. Since 1996, CSC has produced one full Shakespeare production each summer starting with A Midsummer Night's Dream in 1996 at Copley Square. All subsequent productions have taken place in Boston Common, first at the Parkman Bandstand and now at the Parade Ground. In 2003, CSC and The Wang Center joined to bring more financial strength to the company and allow larger productions.

[edit] Mainstage productions

A Midsummer Night's Dream (1996) - CSC's first production, took place at Copley Square, in collaboration with the city of Boston
Romeo and Juliet (1997) - first production at the Parkman Bandstand in Boston Common
As You Like It (1998)
Julius Caesar (1999) - performed for the 400th anniversary of the writing of Julius Caesar to over 30,000 patrons
The Tempest (2000) - nearly half of scheduled performances were cancelled, due to rain
Twelfth Night (2001) - performed to over 45,000 patrons; earned Elliot Norton Award for Best Production
Henry V (2002) - set in a London Tube station during World War II; starred Anthony Rapp
Macbeth (2003) - starred Jay O. Sanders
Much Ado About Nothing (2004) - performed to over 85,000 patrons
Hamlet (2005) - performed to over 90,000 patrons
The Taming of the Shrew (2006) - set in the historic North End, Boston, Massachusetts
A Midsummer Night's Dream (2007)
As You Like It (2008)

[edit] Intern Company

Starting in 2001 with Much Ado About Nothing, the CSC intern company began doing full, though smaller scale, productions as well. In 2002 the Intern Company brought a production on a tour of Boston public parks.