The American Shakespeare Festival Theatre Site

The building that once stood at 1850 Elm Street in Stratford, Connecticut, was modeled after the Globe Theatre in London. On July 12, 1955, the American Shakespeare Festival Theatre opened with a performance of Julius Caesar. Over the decades to come, the theater showcased notable actors—such as Dirk Benedict, Meredith Baxter, David Birney, Lynn Redgrave, Jessica Tandy, Katharine Hepburn, Christopher Walken, and James Earl Jones—before putting on its final performance in 1989.

The theater, which had been vacant for 30 years, suffered a devastating fire in, 2019, caused by three local teenagers. The community is considering how to redevelop the property. In the meantime, the site hosts events such as The Shakespeare Market, ShakesBeer Fest, picnics, and walks.