One of the country's permiere outdoor event series is the

New York Shakespeare Festival

Since 1954, the Public Theatre in New York has been presenting Shakespeare's play's to New York City audiences on the Great Lawn in Central Park.

What began as a series of workshops has grown into one of the best loved theatre festivals in America.

This year's festival begins on June 9 and continues to August 1. This year's performances include The Merchant of Venice and The Winter's Tale.

You can learn more about this year's New York Shakespeare Festival here.