Our History

In 1989, a passionate group of recently graduated students collaborated to build The Free Will Players Theatre Guild (FWP). Their goal was to embody a cooperative, community-driven, pass-the-hat style spirit, bringing William Shakespeare's works to life through an outdoor summer Festival. Over 35 years, the Freewill Shakespeare Festival (originally known as the River City Shakespeare Festival) has attracted over 450,000 people with 60 mainstage productions, remaining true to the original text and spirit while accenting new interpretations for a modern audience. 

The Freewill Shakespeare Festival is not just a celebration of artistry; it is also a significant source of employment, engaging over 50 dedicated individuals at the peak of the festival season. This diverse team includes actors, designers, stage managers, production managers, administrative assistants, publicists, and site/volunteer coordinators, all working in harmony to bring the magic of the Festival to life. Thirty percent of the FWP yearly budget goes towards artist fees, ensuring that the creative talents behind the productions are recognized and compensated for their invaluable contributions. 

Since COVID and the current closure of Hawrelak Park for construction, we've had to be a bit more creative in our offerings.

• 2020: Partnered with Thou Art Here and became the Free Willies, producing a travelling troubadour show to markets, parks, and front porches across Edmonton.

• 2021: Travelled with condensed productions of Macbeth and Much Ado About Nothing, with performances at Edmonton Fringe, a brief stint in Louise McKinney Riverfront Park, and private and public spaces.

• 2022: Back in the Hawrelak Amphitheatre for A Midsummer Night's Dream and Measure for Measure.

• 2023: Produced Romeo & Juliet and Twelfth Night with 'Shakespeare in the Parking Lot' in the Crystal Palace Spiegeltent.

• 2024: Travelled to four community leagues in Edmonton with our production of The Tempest.

• 2025: Performing at Louise McKinney Riverfront Park with our production of As You Like It, June 27-July 20. 

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As we return to the newly renovated Heritage Amphitheatre in Hawrelak Park this summer, we’ve been thinking about the roots that brought us here: the founding of our festival by passionate university students, over three decades of producing professional productions with local artists, the transcendent works of William Shakespeare, the support of our volunteers, and our dedicated audiences. These roots reveal deep relationships within the Edmonton community and have grounded us during these many challenges. Though much has changed since our founding in 1989, and if we've learned anything from the past five years, we know that change is a part of life, and we want to move toward the future with confidence and sustainability in mind. Just like growing a tree, a festival requires intentional and mindful tending. As we return to Hawrelak Park in 2026, we are working to nurture and stimulate our financial foundation. Our goal is to raise $50,000. These funds will go directly to supporting those local artists who make this festival possible, nourish the financial roots we have, and help us secure a sustainable future beyond 2026. Learn more and donate today at Foster Freewill.

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Through Pay-What-You-Will ticketed shows, affordable ticket ranges, and a long history of supporting youth and young creatives,  the Free Will Players Theatre Guild and the Freewill Shakespeare Festival strive to promote artistic excellence, community collaboration, and a steadfast dedication to making the arts accessible.​​

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Read our 35 year retrospective here!