To see more photos, click the forward arrow above. Photos by John Moore for the DCPA NewsCenter.

The Denver Public Schools Shakespeare Festival returns to the Denver Performing Arts Complex for a 32nd year this Friday, April 29. Last year’s celebration drew more than 5,000 students from 70 schools in grades kindergarten through high school. They performed more than 640 short scenes, dances, soliloquies and sonnets.

Take a look back at last year’s festival in photos (above) and video (below).

DCPA expands partnership with DPS Shakespeare Festival

New this year is the Shakespeare After-Fest from 4-7 p.m., when arts organizations from across Denver will come together  to celebrate the Bard. Hear music from DeVotchKa‘s Tom Hagerman, as well as the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, watch mini-performances from The Catamounts, The Black Actors Guild, DCPA’s Off-Center and Shakespeare in the Parking Lot, Stories on Stage and PHAMALY.

You’ll even get sucked into the scene as local musicians, performers and painters use Shakespeare’s works for inspiration. And best yet – it’s all free.

The DCPA is a co-producer of the 2016 DPS Shakespeare Festival. Its Education Department reached all 80 participating schools in preparation for the festival.

More Colorado theatre coverage on the DCPA NewsCenter

2016 DPS Shakespeare Festival. Photo by John Moore for the DCPA NewsCenter.