ABOUT
THE GENESIUS GUILD & GENESIUS THEATRE FOUNDATION
Free theatre in the park... all summer long... Shakespeare, Greek drama, and Greek comedy. A unique classic theatre experience located in Rock Island, Illinois.
THE GENESIUS GUILD
The Genesius Guild is a Quad Cities theater specializing in free classical drama. Founded in 1956, the group performs Greek drama, Greek comedy, and the works of Shakespeare every weekend throughout the summer.
The diversity and focus of the Genesius Guild makes it a unique summer program. We provide free, outdoor theatre in the middle of the trees in Lincoln Park, Rock Island, with a strong focus on the classics. Greek tragedy, performed in mask, and Shakespearean comedies and tragedies are the base of our schedule, and are performed as written, with period costuming and scenery.
NEWS
Open Auditions
It's that time again - we are looking for people who are interested in getting on stage! Thanks to Augustana College, we will hold auditions on their campus. If weather permits, auditions will be at the Anderson Outdoor Pavilion on the south (uphill) side of the Brunner Theater Center building.
If weather interferes, we will be able to move indoors, to one of the spaces inside the Brunner Theater Center (3750 7th Avenue in Rock Island). Parking is available in the Centennial Hall lot (NW corner of 7th Ave and 38th St).
Audition Dates:
Wednesday, April 9 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Saturday, April 12 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Sunday, April 13 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Wednesday, April 16 6:00 - 8:00 PM
2025 Season Schedule
We are excited to announce the 2025 season! As always, all performances are free admission in Lincoln Park, Rock Island. All shows begin at 7:00 PM.
June 7, 8, 14, 15
Sophocles: Oedipus Rex
June 21, 22, 28, 29
Shakespeare: Much Ado About Nothing
July 5
Performance by The Chordbusters
July 6
TBA
July 12, 13, 19, 20
Shakespeare: Antony and Cleopatra
July 26, 27 & August 2, 3
Aristophanes: Peace
All performances begin at 7:00 PM.
Capital Campaign
The Genesius Guild has performed in Lincoln Park since the first production of Antigone in 1957 - 68 seasons! But now we need your help to secure Lincoln Park as the longerm home of the Guild.
The concrete under the stage has been settling for a number of years, and it has begun to shift at an increasingly rapid rate. If this continues unaddressed, we will be unable to construct the stage within a few years. Already it has been noticeably more difficult to accomodate the changes to the structure.
The initial review indicates that we need to raise $1.5 million to rebuild the stage area. This includes development of a permanent stage, expanding the structure around the audience to improve sound quality, making the space more easily accessible, and creating permanent lighting rigging.
Our initial goal is to raise $1 million to begin construction of the permanent stage by August
2025. We will continue raising the remaining $500,000 beyond that date to support the rest of the improvements.
If you are able to contribute, we appreciate gifts of any size! Donations can be made through the PayPal button below, or by sending a check to:
Genesius Theatre Foundation
1120 40th Street
Rock Island, IL 61201
If you have questions about the fundraiser or would like to join our fundraising team, please contact guild@genesius.org.
Your contribution will help us to continue producing classical theater in Lincoln Park for years to come!
The Genesius Theatre Foundation follows an equal opportunity employment policy and employs or contracts personnel without regard to race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, height, weight, disability status, veteran status, military obligations, and marital status. This policy applies to all Genesius Theatre Foundation employees, volunteers, members, clients, and contractors.