The Illinois Shakespeare Festival (ISF) will host its third annual ShakesFear event from 7-10 p.m. October 27-29, at Ewing Cultural Center, 48 Sunset Road, Bloomington.
The event will feature a 30-minute haunted trail around the Ewing property and a scary walk through Ewing Theatre. The ghost of William Shakespeare himself will escort brave souls around the grounds, introducing them to some of his scariest characters. The tour is recommended for audience members 8 years of age and above; there will also be “non-scary” activities for younger children in the courtyard.
Advance purchase ticket prices are $5 for children and students, $7 for adults. At the door, they are $5 for children and students and $10 for adults. Tickets can be purchased at the Illinois State University’s Center for Performing Arts box office, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday, or by calling (309) 438-2535 during box office hours. Space is limited, so tour groups are set at 20 people. The tour will leave from the Ewing courtyard every 10 minutes beginning at 7 p.m. The last tour will leave at 9:30 p.m.
For more information, visit the Illinois Shakespeare Festival website.
“So many of Shakespeare’s characters are a perfect fit for a haunted house,” said ISF Artistic Director Kevin Rich, who co-created the event with Director Andy Park. “This is been a fun way to introduce people to his plays.”
Parking is available at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 1617 E. Emerson St. Audience members can enter the Ewing Cultural Center at the corner of Emerson Street and Towanda Avenue and are encouraged to arrive at least 10 minutes before their tour time to make time for the walk from the parking lot.
ShakesFear is funded in part by the Harmon Arts Grant. Bloomington-Normal businesses Monster Pawn and Carl’s Ice Cream are sponsoring the event.
