Shakespeare in the Park Returns
with “The Taming of the Shrew”
July 9 – 25, 2026
The Taming of the Shrew is the 29th Shakespeare in the Park production presented by Rochester Community Players and the Monroe County Parks Department at Highland Park Bowl. It will also be a very different approach to one of William Shakespeare’s best-known works!
Director Jonathan Lowery has set the play in 2015 where the roles and rules for women and men have significantly changed from Shakespeare’s time 400 years ago. The story of unwed Katherine pressured by her father to marry and of Petruchio as a suitor hoping to gain wealth and status as her husband unfolds in quite a different light.
“At its heart, The Taming of the Shrew is a play about seeking healthy and authentic relationships,” says Lowery. “Moving the story to a more recent time gives modern audiences an opportunity to engage with the play’s original intent in a new way. The same words heard centuries ago take on a different tone and meaning.”
For Shakespeare’s characters living in the 21st century, restrictions—especially for young women—are replaced with different expectations for them. Daily use of cell phones, texting over talking, the impact of social media, and the sometimes powerful role of social media influencers all have an impact. Public versus private personas can also be very different for both men and women.
FREE performances of “The Taming of the Shrew” are every evening except Mondays and Tuesdays at 8:00 p.m. beginning Thursday, July 9 through Saturday, July 25, 2026.
IMPORTANT: The necessary cancellation of any performance due to weather conditions will be posted here, on Facebook and @roccommplayers.
Rochester Community Players
Announces Auditions for “A Good Farmer”
by Sharyn Rothstein
Directed by Maria Scipione
A Good Farmer by Sharyn Rothstein was inspired by a New York Times article in 2006 regarding increased immigration enforcement on small, family-run farms in Elba, New York. This practice has since escalated making Rothstein’s play yet more relevant as it examines themes of love, friendship, and humanity amidst contentious and often divisive political issues surrounding immigration. It is a moving drama that explores the friendship between Bonnie Johnson, a cabbage farmer, and her unlikely best friend, Carla Gutierrez, an undocumented Mexican immigrant. A Good Farmer is a powerful story about finding the power to face what divides us.
Audition Dates & Time
Thursday, June 25 – 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Friday, June 26 – 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Callbacks: Sunday, June 28 – 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Audition Location
Abundance Food Co-op – Community Room
571 South Avenue, Rochester, N.Y.
Help RCP Keep
Shakespeare FREE!
The support of donations from audience members coming to our popular Shakespeare in the Park performances has always been an important part of keeping these productions free to everyone. It’s wonderful to see families introducing their children to “the Bard,” groups of friends enjoying theatre under the stars together, and often people biking or walking by stopping to watch all or part of a production. We know having a set ticket price would keep many people from enjoying this truly community experience.
We are very appreciative of the generous donations received during each performance but RCP must always provide additional funds to cover the full cost of our summer shows.
If you would like to help us keep outdoor Shakespeare free for everyone, please consider making an online donation today.