Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival One Step Closer To Permanent Home

Big news for the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival (HVSF)!

Last month, the festival received approval for its full site plan, clearing the way for construction on their new, permanent home to begin.

Set to open in summer 2026, this venue will include a stage, rehearsal space, expanded visitor accessibility, a concession building, and standalone public restrooms. Nelson Byrd Woltz has designed the landscape to restore native grasses and wetlands, enhancing biodiversity and reducing water reliance.

Adding to the excitement, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has just announced plans to secure $1.5 million in federal funding for the project. This funding will be delivered through a bill Congress is expected to pass later this year. Schumer highlighted HVSF’s significant contribution to the region, noting its role in drawing tens of thousands of visitors annually and being one of the area’s largest employers.

Founded in 1987, HVSF is a critically acclaimed professional, non-profit theater company based in Garrison, NY, just an hour north of Manhattan. Known for its engaging and highly inventive productions, the festival has earned praise from The New York Times, The New Yorker, and The Wall Street Journal. Its iconic, open-air Theater Tent overlooking the Hudson River has become a beloved venue for Shakespeare enthusiasts.

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The new amphitheater, designed by Studio Gang, will be the first purpose-built LEED Platinum theater in the U.S., emphasizing eco-conscious design. The 14,000 square-foot structure will be located on a 98-acre campus in Garrison, New York, generously donated by philanthropist Chris Davis. This permanent venue will continue the festival’s tradition of outdoor productions, using the stunning Hudson River and surrounding landscape as a natural backdrop—a tradition upheld since their annual temporary structures started in 2022.

Thanks to Schumer’s efforts, the HVSF’s ambitious plans for a state-of-the-art theater are one step closer to reality, promising to enhance both the cultural and environmental landscape of the Hudson Valley.