Magic, Madness and Mayhem: Hip to Hip Brings Free Shakespeare to Southampton’s Agawam Park

Hip to Hip Theatre Company will bring its acclaimed “Free Shakespeare in the Parks” program to Agawam Park in Southampton Village this month, featuring two classic productions: “Hamlet” and “The Tempest.”

The Southampton performances are part of Hip to Hip’s 19th annual summer tour, offering free and accessible professional classical theater throughout the New York region.

“Hamlet” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, August 22, and “The Tempest” will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 23, both at Agawam Park, 25 Pond Lane. Bring blankets, low chairs and picnic fare and enjoy a night of Shakespeare.

“Hamlet” is Shakespeare’s masterwork of political intrigue and psychological drama. Haunted by his murdered father’s ghost, the prince of Denmark teeters on the edge of madness while plotting revenge.

“The Tempest,” Shakespeare’s final play, is a fantastical tale filled with magic, monsters, shipwrecks and forgiveness. Set on a remote island, the story follows a deposed duke-turned-sorcerer who conjures a storm to confront those who betrayed him.

Thirty minutes before each performance, Hip to Hip will also present “Kids & the Classics,” a free, interactive workshop designed for children ages 4 to 12. The program introduces young audiences to the play’s characters and themes through theater games and guided exploration of the text.

Founded in 2007 by Queens-based actors Jason and Joy Marr, Hip to Hip Theatre Company is dedicated to making Shakespeare accessible and engaging for all. What began as a grassroots project has grown into a major summer tradition, drawing more than 7,000 people each season across parks in Queens, the Bronx, Jersey City and Southampton. For more information, visit hiptohip.org.