With music and lyrics by Benjamin Velez and directed by Obie Award winner and Director of Public Works Laurie Woolery, this ambitious work of participatory theater explores the grief of being cut off from community, the desire for retribution, and the healing power of love.

THE TEMPEST

By William Shakespeare 
Music & Lyrics by Benjamin Velez
Choreography by Tiffany Rea-Fisher
Directed by Laurie Woolery 
The Delacorte Theater
August 27 – September 3, 2023

As the Public Theater’s Public Works program enters its second decade it will relaunch the play that launched the program, William Shakespeare’s THE TEMPEST. In The Public’s decade-long tradition of bringing together a diverse ensemble of both professional and community members from across New York, this Public Works production examines what it means to be isolated and how we find our way back to one another.

Forced from their home, Prospero and her daughter Miranda have survived for 12 years among the ruins of an abandoned island. As Prospero grows closer to getting the justice she desires, she witnesses her daughter fall in love, listens to the wisdom of spirit ancestors, and discovers that sometimes forgiveness is the only way to break cycles and right the course for the next generation. Hilarious fools, magical spells, and ancestral spirits dance through this production as we all come together to celebrate what it means to be human.

The Equity cast of THE TEMPEST will include Tristan André (Sebastian), Brianna Cabrera (Spirit Ancestor Lead Singer), Sabrina Cedeño (Trinculo), Anthony Chatmon II (Antonio), Renée Elise Goldsberry (Prospero), Jo Lampert (Ariel), Patrick O’Hare (Spirit Ancestor Lead Singer), Joel Perez (Stephano), Edwin Rivera (Spirit Ancestor Lead Singer), and Theo Stockman (Caliban).

2023 FREE SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK TICKETS

Any official changes to the distribution policies will be shared here. For free ticket availability for each evening’s performance, visit our  DAILY TICKET UPDATE.

Free tickets are distributed on each public performance day via the free ticket lines at The Delacorte Theater in Central Park.

• A Public Theater Patron ID is requiredto receive a free ticket, and we encourage you to create or confirm your ID before arrival by visiting org/register.
• Free tickets are distributed at 12PM (Noon)every day a public performance is scheduled. Examples of non-public performances are Openings, Invitational Community Nights, and Galas.
• Performance days may vary weekly, so check the Public Theater performance calendar.
• Seat locations are randomly distributed,not based on the position of a person in the line, and you and your group are not guaranteed to be seated together.
• People waiting for free tickets must line up along the paths designatedby The Public Theater staff and The Parks Department.
• Each person (age 5+) may receive two (2) tickets while supplies last.
• Please remember that Central Park is officially closed until 6AM, and we encourage you not to form a line outside the Park overnight or before 6AM.
• Anyone who attempts to create a line inside the Park before 6AMis sent to the end of any line that has formed outside the Park.

There are three separate distribution lines at The Delacorte Theater in Central Park:

• General Distribution Line
• Senior 65+ Distribution Line
  • Ticket recipients must be 65 or older on the performance date to receive tickets on this line.
  • This line is hosted close to the theater with access to benches, shade, and restroom facilities.
  • Tickets distributed on this line are for seats in Section E of The Delacorte. Section E offers accessible seating, including:
    • Seating that is accessed with no stairs.
    • Seating accessible by ramp.
    • Seating that is accessed with limited stairs.
    • Wheelchair accessible locations.
    • Wheelchair transfer accessible locations.
    • Seating to support hearing or vision loss based on proximity to the stage.
  • Access for People with Disabilities Line
    • Ticket recipients must attest to the need for accessible seating. Accessible seating options include:
      • Seating that is accessed with no stairs.
      • Seating accessible by ramp.
      • Seating that is accessed with limited stairs.
      • Wheelchair accessible locations.
      • Wheelchair transfer accessible locations.
      • Seating to support hearing or vision loss based on proximity to the stage.
      • Seating locations for select performances where American Sign Language, Open Captions, and Audio Descriptions will be offered. Visit the HAMLET website and calendarto confirm those dates before attending a distribution.
      • Seating for guests who need extra space outside the measurements of The Delacorte seating.
    • This line is hosted outdoors and close to the theater with access to benches, shade, and restroom facilities.

IN-PERSON LOTTERY AT THE PUBLIC THEATER

On each public performance date, a limited number of ticket vouchers for that night’s performance are distributed via an in-person lottery at:

The Public Theater

425 Lafayette Street (at Astor Place) NY, NY 10003

• A Public Theater Patron ID is requiredto receive a free ticket voucher, and we encourage you to create or confirm your ID before arrival by visiting org/register.
• We will begin taking entries for the lottery in The Ford Foundation Lobby of The Public starting at 11AM. The lottery will be drawn at 12PM (Noon) every day a public performance is scheduled. Examples of non-public performances are Openings, Invitational Community Nights, and Galas.
• Performance days may vary weekly, so check the performance calendar.
• Ticket vouchers are redeemable only for same-day performances.
• Seat locations are distributed randomly upon redemption, not based on a person’s redemption time at The Delacorte Theater Box Office.
• All ticket vouchers must be exchanged for ticketsat The Delacorte Theater Box Office in Central Park between 5:30PM and 7:30PM.
• Ticket vouchers are only valid until 7:30PMfor the performance on the day they are issued.
• Each person (age 5+) may receive up to two (2) ticket vouchersupon winning while supplies last.
• Accessible seating is limited at The Delacorte. For assistance in acquiring accessible seating during our lottery distributions, please speak to a member of The Public Theater staff upon your arrival for the lottery.
  • This distribution is hosted indoors at The Public Theater with access to restrooms, seating, and climate-controlled spaces.

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IN-PERSON DISTRIBUTION IN THE BOROUGHS

A limited number of free ticket vouchers will be distributed on the day of select performances at locations throughout the five boroughs of New York City.

• A Public Theater Patron ID is required to receive a ticket voucher, and we encourage you to create or confirm your ID before arrival by visiting org/register.
• Borough distribution dates and locations vary, so cross-reference the borough distribution calendar with the performance date you wish to attend.
• Ticket vouchers are distributed at 12PM (Noon). Borough distributions will end when all the ticket vouchers have been distributed or at 2PM, whichever occurs first.
• Performance days may vary weekly, so check the performance calendar and the borough distribution calendars carefully.
  • Borough Distributions by Date
  • Brooklyn Borough Distribution Dates & Locations
  • Bronx Borough Distribution Dates & Locations
  • Manhattan Borough Distribution Dates & Locations
  • Queens Borough Distribution Dates & Locations
  • Staten Island Borough Distribution Dates & Locations
• People waiting for ticket vouchers must line up along the paths designated by the borough distribution partner and The Public Theater staff.
• Ticket vouchers are redeemable only for same-day performances.
• Seat locations are distributed randomly upon redemption, not based on a person’s redemption time at The Delacorte Theater Box Office.
• All ticket vouchers must be exchanged for tickets at The Delacorte Theater Box Office in Central Park between 5:30PM and 7:30PM.
• Ticket vouchers are only valid until 7:30PM for the performance on the day they are issued.
• Each person (age 5+) may receive up to two (2) ticket vouchers while supplies last.
• Accessible seating is limited at The Delacorte. For assistance in acquiring accessible seating during our borough distributions, please speak to a member of The Public Theater staff upon arrival at the borough distribution location.
  • These distributions are typically hosted outdoors at various locations, and access to shade, seating, restrooms, and physical access to the distribution facilities varies per location. We encourage you to contact a site before attending a borough distribution to confirm specifics of their site regarding their facility and your specific access needs.

DIGITAL LOTTERY WITH TODAYTIX

A limited number of free tickets are distributed via digital lottery on the TodayTix app on most public performance dates. Examples of non-public performances are Openings, Invitational Community Nights, and Galas.

1. Download the  TodayTix app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
2. Open the appand scroll down to find Free Shakespeare in the Park or search for Free Shakespeare in the Park.
3. Enter the lotteryfor one or two free tickets. You may double or triple your odds on the confirmation screen by sharing your entry via Facebook and Twitter.
4. See If You Won!Monitor your phone or email at 12PM Noon to see if you have won and claim your tickets for that evening’s performance.

More things to know:

• Make sure your name and email address are correct and that TodayTix push notifications are turned on, so you can receive confirmation of lottery status.
• You will be notified if you have won between noon and 3PM on the day of the show.
• You must confirm your winning tickets in the TodayTix app within 30 minutes of being notified.
• All tickets must be claimed at The Delacorte Theater Box Office in Central Park between 5:30PM and 7:30PM.
• Tickets are only valid until 7:30PMf or the performance on the day they are issued.
• You can enter the lottery between 12:01AM and 12:00PM (Noon) on the day of each public performance. Each winner will get two (2) tickets to that night’s performance.
• There are three digital lotteries General, Senior 65+, and Wheelchair Accessible Seating Entry.
• Duplicate entries will be voided.
• You can also mail your entry to TodayTix, 1501 Broadway, Suite 1313, New York, NY, 10036. All mailed entries must be received 24 hours in advance of your desired performance.
• For additional questions and support from TodayTix, please see FREE SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK LOTTERY.
• Learn about the Health & Safety Plan for Free Shakespeare in the Park.

IN-PERSON STANDBY LINE IN CENTRAL PARK

After the final ticket is distributed for that day’s performance, anyone who did not obtain a ticket may begin to form a standby line at The Delacorte Theater in Central Park. Our standby line can be closed anytime by management for any reason.

• A Public Theater Patron ID is required to receive a free ticket, and we encourage you to create or confirm your ID before arrival by visiting org/register.
• The Public Theater staff will begin to monitor this line, starting at 6PM.
• Tickets may begin to be distributed to this line any time after 6PMthrough the beginning of the performance or when The Public Theater staff dismisses the line.
• Pending availability, free standby tickets will be distributed, 2 per person.
• Performance days may vary weekly, so check the performance calendar.
• Seat locations are randomly distributed, not based on the position of a person in the line.
• People waiting for free tickets must line up along the paths designatedby The Public Theater staff and The Parks Department.
• They cannot offer separate standby lines for General, 65+, or people with disabilities since all tickets received on standby are the best available at their time of release. We will do our best to assist with requests for accommodation from people with disabilities, but again there are no guarantees on the standby line.