Mission:
The mission of the Illinois Shakespeare Festival is to produce energetic new interpretations of theatrical works, engaging audience and artist in an impassioned exploration of the human condition, with the artistry and humanity of the Shakespearean canon as our constant touchstone.

Values:

We believe that the arts are an essential part of our community and are committed to this partnership.  We encourage local involvement and a mutual sense of ownership.

We believe in the importance of providing the best possible experience for our audience, whether they are seeking information about the Festival, buying tickets, seeing a production, or attending one of our outreach activities.  We encourage the pursuit of excellence from all company members.

We believe in the power of the artistic imagination and its ability to open our eyes to the full spectrum of human existence.  We encourage and support those artists who endeavor to create works illuminating the complexity of human relationships, and whose bold interpretations of classic texts offer relevant insights for a contemporary audience.

We believe in the value of intellectual and artistic growth.  We encourage the pursuit of new knowledge and seek to provide rich learning experiences for company members and audience.  We encourage company members to set goals that stretch their current abilities.  We respect the sustained effort involved in the development of new talents and seek to create an environment that supports this exploration.

We believe in the value and necessity of working collaboratively.  We encourage a direct and honest exchange of ideas, along with respect for the expertise and efforts of others.

We believe that our lives and the art we create are made richer by the inclusion of people from varied backgrounds.  We are committed to the idea of diversity at all levels of the organization.

We believe that all company members are entitled to a safe working environment.

We believe that all people should be treated with respect and that our business practices should reflect values of fairness and honesty.

We believe in fiscal responsibility and the necessity to work conscientiously to ensure the long-term health of the Festival.