Bronx - Free Summer Outdoor Theater 2022

Free Things To Do in the Bronx - Free Summer Theater Park in NYC

August 12, 2022 / Bronx Neighborhoods / Dance & Theater / Theatre Bronx / Bronx Things To Do / Bronx Buzz NYC.

Summer is in full swing. A number of community groups in collaboration with the NYC Parks Department and frequently some measure of government funding, have put together a summer full of free summer theater in the parks. The free theatre events listed below are designed for young and old alike and they're FREE.

Editor's Note - Note that only ASTERISKED LOCATIONS have been updated. Pay attention to the performance dates / years. We will be updating / adding this summer theater report between now and the end of September. So check back periodically for updates which you can note by the date changing above.

Some summer theater programs in the Bronx have been curtailed or cancelled, many in part due to the ongoing CoVid threat. We'll continue to update / add to this schedule of free theater in the park in the Bronx, as we become aware of additional productions.

• Free Summer Movies in the Bronx 2022

• Click here to view our report on free movies in the park - summer movies in the Bronx, Mott Haven, Claremont Village, Hunts Point, Morrisania, Highbridge, Norwood, Bedford Park, Pelham Bay, Van Cortlandt, Riverdale, Concourse, Highbridge, Kingsbridge and Morris Heights.

• Music / Concerts in the Park in the Bronx 2022

• Click here to view our report on free summer concerts in the Bronx - Mott Haven, Claremont Village, Hunts Point, Morrisania, Highbridge, Norwood, Bedford Park, Pelham Bay, Van Cortlandt, Riverdale, Concourse, Highbridge, Kingsbridge and Morris Heights.

• Free Things To Do in the Bronx

• Current Bronx Things To Do. Click here to view a listing of current Bronx things to do.

Directory of Free Summer Theater in Bronx NYC

Organized by Bronx Neighborhoods & then by Month

1. South Bronx Free Summer Theater NYC

2. Central Bronx Free Summer Theater

3. East Bronx Free Summer Theater NYC

4. North & West Bronx Summer Theater NYC

5. Near Bronx Free Summer Theater NYC

Also Check Our Monthly Bronx Events / Bronx Things To Do Calendar

1. South Bronx Free Summer Theater 2022

South of the Cross Bronx Expressway [172nd & 176th Streets], East of the Harlem River & West of the Bronx River

* Teatro Pregones - Free Summer Theater in the Concourse Village Bronx NYC

Free Outdoor Theater at La Casita Pregones Theater / PRTT Puerto Rican Traveling Theater - Free Things To Do In the Bronx NYC

Location. Pregones Theater is located at 571 Walton 150th Street in the Concourse Village neighborhood of the Bronx.

• Friday & Saturday, June 24 & 25, 2022 - beginning at 7.30 pm, 11 am and 2 pm, respectively. El Otro Oz.
• Description. This is a bilingual derivative of the Wizard of Oz is described as, " ... a transformative journey with this salsa, merengue, and Mexican folk-infused musical ... As her fifteenth birthday approaches, Dora, a contemporary Latine teenager, struggles with her family’s ideas about tradition and dreads her impending quinceañera! But, when Dora gets swept away to a strange new land, she learns how to celebrate her unique rhythm and embrace her cultural identity. A previous version of the show, entitled Yellow Brick Road, premiered in 2010 and was recognized as a New York Times Critic’s Pick...". Free.
• Contact / Tickets. You're advised to rsvp tickets in advance at www.pregonesprtt.org.

• July 23, 2022 at the Pregones / PRTT Theater Garden, 575 Walton Avenue in the Concourse / Mott Haven neighborhoods of the Bronx. They describe the event as: "... Presented in partnership with Pregones / PRTT, Stage Garden Rumba is an open invitation for all New Yorkers to experience the cultural riches, regional community gardens and green spaces, and vibrant Casitas of the South Bronx ... The series will again feature extraordinary Artists - actors, singers, dancers, writers; Activists with the pulse of local, national, and international struggle and social justice; and Community Members ... Hyperlocal and universal, Stage Garden Rumba brings together voices of joy and revolution to fuel our collective imagination and propel us into a self-determined future ... " At the following locations primarily in the South / Central. Free.
• Contact / Tickets. Free and outdoors, so rsvp may not be necessary, but you might want to check as we get closer into the dates. www.nosquedamos.org

* South & Central Bronx - Free Summer Theater in the Neighborhoods of the Bronx NYC

Free Outdoor Theater in the Concourse, Mott Haven, West Farms, Longwood, East Tremont, Woodstock, Port Morris and Claremont Neighborhoods of the Bronx NYC

Locations. See Below as the locations change with each date. Free outdoor summer theater in the Concourse, Mott Haven, West Farms, Longwood, East Tremont, Woodstock, Port Morris and Claremont neighborhood of the Bronx.

• Saturdays, July 23 - October 15, 2022 from 2 - 6 pm - Stage Garden Rumba - They describe the event as: "... Presented in partnership with Pregones / PRTT, Stage Garden Rumba is an open invitation for all New Yorkers to experience the cultural riches, regional community gardens and green spaces, and vibrant Casitas of the South Bronx ... The series will again feature extraordinary Artists - actors, singers, dancers, writers; Activists with the pulse of local, national, and international struggle and social justice; and Community Members ... Hyperlocal and universal, Stage Garden Rumba brings together voices of joy and revolution to fuel our collective imagination and propel us into a self-determined future ... " At the following locations primarily in the South / Central. Free.

• • July 23, 2022 at the Pregones / PRTT Theater Garden, 575 Walton Avenue in the Concourse / Mott Haven neighborhoods of the Bronx.
  • August 27, 2022 at the Bronx Sunshine Community Garden, 1768 Bryant Avenue at 174th Street near the New Horizon Shopping Mall in the West Farms / Longwood / East Tremont neighborhoods in the Bronx.
  • September 10, 2022 at Rincón Criollo, 749 Brook Avenue at East 157th Street across from the Flynn Playground in the Woodstock / Longwood neighborhoods of the Bronx.
  • September 17, 2022 at Maria Sola Community Greenspace, at East 134th Street and Lincoln Avenue in the Port Morris neighborhood of the Bronx.
• October 1, 2022 at La Finca del Sur Community Garden, 110 East 138 Street at the south end of the Grand Concourse in the Mott Haven / Concourse neighborhoods of the Bronx.
• October 15, 2022 at the Amphitheater in Crotona Park, at 559 Claremont Parkway at Fulton Avenue in the Claremont neighborhood of the Bronx.

• Contact / Tickets. Free and outdoors, so rsvp may not be necessary, but you might want to check as we get closer into the dates. www.nosquedamos.org

Also see free movies, free concerts and free summer things to do in the Bronx, free summer movies in the Bronx and free summer concerts in the Bronx.

* Bronx Music Heritage Center - Free Summer Theater in Morrisania NYC

Free Things To Do / Summer Outdoor Theater in Morrisania Bx NYC

Location. The Bronx Music Heritge Center Plaza at 438 East 163rd Street at Washington Avenue in the Morrisania neighborhood of the Bronx.

• Sunday, July 31, 2022 beginning at 5 pm - Shakespeare's Pericles - Pericles - This Shakespearean play has a dramatic mix of tragedy, romance and comedy, all rolled up in one. It opens with Pericles life in danger as he is asked to decipher a riddle, the answer to which will result in his death. So he asks for time to think about it and then flees. In the course of his flight he wins a contest and the prized princess, impregnates her, loses her in childbirth, and goes on to other adventures before reuniting with his daughter and wife [who was found alive swept to shore].

Free Shakespeare in the Park is performed by Hip To Hip Theatre Company of Woodside and sponsored by NYC Parks Department.

* ID Studio Theater - Free Theater in the Mott Haven Neighborhood Bx NYC

Paid & Free Theater at ID Studio Theater - Free Things To Do in the Bronx NYC

Location. The theatrical productions are performed at the ID Studio Theater at 311 East 140th Street off 3rd Avenue in the Mott Haven neighborhood of the Bronx.

• Saturday, June 18, 2022 - Taller: Creacion Colectiva - See website for details.
• Saturday & Sunday, June 25 & 26, 2022 - Convocatoria: Mujeres en el Bronx & Ferias & Fiestas en Bronx [Saturday] & en Queens [Sunday], respectively - See website for details.
• Contact. www.idstudiotheater.org

* The Point CDC - Summer Theater in the Hunts Point Neighborhood Bx

Things To Do in the Hunts Point Neighborhood of the Bronx NYC

Location. The theatrical productions are performed at the The Point CDC at 940 Garrison Avenue at Barretto Street in the Hunts Point neighborhood of the Bronx.

• Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays, July 15, 16, 21, 22 & 23, 2022 from 8 - 10 pm, also both Saturdays from 2 - 4 pm & Sundays, July 17 & 24, 2022 from 3 - 5 pm - My Man the Wolf. They describe the play as follows, "... the most beautiful love story ever told ...". Note - They caution attendees that "... this play deals with Adult Themes and Adult Situations. Viewer Discretion Advised. There will be fog/haze and strobe lights used during this production."
• Contact / Tickets. www.thepoint.org / Performed by Open Hydrant Theater Company in association with Urban Waves. Tickets are $20 via the website above or www.eventbrite.

* St Mary's Playground - Free Summer Theater in the Mott Haven Bronx

Free Things To Do / Summer Outdoor Theater in Mott Haven Bx NYC

Location. Pontiac Playground St. Mary's Park at 450 St. Ann's Avenue in Mott Haven.

• Sunday, Aug 7, 2022 @ 2 pm - Teacher! Teacher! or P.S. I love you - Pontiac Playground at St. Mary’s Park, 350 St. Ann’s Ave. They describe the play as follows, " ... a rip-roaring original musical which tells the story of a struggling teacher in an underserved neighborhood who puts her life on the line for her kids ...". Free summer theater in the Mott Haven neighborhood of the Bronx NYC.
• Contact. Organized by the Parks Dept & Theater for the New City aka TNC at www.theaterforthenewcity.net

2. North Central Bronx Free Summer Outdoor & Indoor Theater

East of the Major Deegan Expressway, South of Van Cortlandt Park - but including Woodlawn Heights, West of the Bronx River Parkway [Morris Park / Webster Avenues] & North of the Cross Bronx Parkway [172nd / 175th Streets]

* Crotona Park - Free Summer Theater & Plays Crotona Park in the Bronx

Free Things To Do in the Claremont Neighborhood of the Bronx NYC - Free Summer Theater Near Claremont Village, Concourse Village, Mount Eden, Tremont, Mount Hope, Morris Heights, Morrisania & Forest Houses

Location. Crotona Park is located just south of the Cross Bronx Expressway [east 174th Street], east of Fulton Avenue, north of Crotona Park South and west of Crotona Park East in the Crotona Park neighborood in the center of the Bronx. The performances take place at the Crotona Park Amphitheater / Bandshell which is accessible via 172nd Street from the west and Charlotte Street in the east.

• OLD _ NOTE DATE / YEAR _ Friday, August 2, 2019 from 6 - 9 pm - Garifuna Cultural Performance - The Garifuna are an ethnic mix of Caribbean, African, Spanish and native Americans who celebrate their centuries old cultural diversity through a mix of song, dance and theatrical performance. At the Crotona Park Amphitheatre located at 559 Claremont Pkwy, Bronx, NY 10457..."

Also see free summer theater in the Bronx, free summer movies in the Bronx and the Bronx things to do in the Bronx calendar.

* None 2022 _ Fordham University Main Stage Theater - Free Summer Theater Bx

Free Summer Theater in the Fordham Neighborhood in the Bronx NYC

Location. The MainStage Theater is located at 113 West 60th Street in Manhattan, a block south of Lincoln Center.

• Fordham University MainStage Theater also performs plays, but while the main university / campus is in the Bronx, the MainStage Theater is located in Manhattan.

* Lehman College in Bedford Park - Free Summer Theater in the Bedford Park

Free Things To Do in the Bedford Park Neighborhood in the Bronx NYC

Location. The Lehman College Performing Arts Center is located 250 Bedford Park Blvd West in the Bedford Park neighborhood of the Bronx. Note - The dance party of July 21 is being held outdoors possibly near the college amphitheater, while the kids theater event in early August is being held in the Lovinger Theater.

• Thursday, July 21, 2022 from 7 - 9.30 pm - SummerWorx 2022 / Latin Music Dance Party - They describe this as, "... an evening of great Salsa and Merengue featuring Orquesta Jeryco de Edwin Gómez [and they advise you to] Bring your special someone, and your dancing shoes ...". Note you must rsvp due to the CUNY CoVid policy.

• Thursday, Friday & Saturday, August 4, 5, 6, 2022 - SummerWorx 2022 / The Three Little Pigs, The Big Bad Wolf & Kung Fu. They describe this event as follows, "... The Children’s Theatre Company at Lehman presents, the Three Little Pigs in “The Big Bad Wolf and the Kung Fu Caper”. Kids nearly free theater / outdoor summer plays at Lehman College in the Bedford Park neighborhood of the Bronx.
• Contact / Tickets. www.lehmanstages.org / The Three Little Pigs event costs $1 and requires an rsvp.

They are also hosting a few musical events. Use the Bronx Summer Concerts link at the top of this report to find details.

* Puppet Mobile in Bronx Neighborhoods - Free Summer Theater in the Bx

Free Things To Do in the Bronx NYC - Free Puppet Mobile in the Bronx NYC

• June / July / August 2022 at various times in the late morning / early afternoon - CityParks Puppet Mobile. Free. These are free puppet based theatrical performances out of the City Parks Puppet Mobile.
• Contact. www.cityparksfoundation.org/puppetmobile
• Cut & paste the contact url to view the schedule / locations for performances by the Puppet Mobile on the City Parks Foundation website - www.cityparksfoundation.org/puppetmobile

* Free Summer Theater in Morris Park, Crotona & Norwood

Free Puppet Mobile in the Bronx - Free Things To Do In the Bronx NYC

*** See the Puppet Mobile in the # 2. North / Central Bronx section of this report.

Click here to view the Loreto Playground in Morris Park, the Clinton Playground in Crotona Park South & Williamsbridge Oval in Bedford Park South map [TBD]. The theatrical puppet mobile productions are performed in the Bronx.

Loreto Playground - Free Summer Theater at in Morris Park

• OLD _ NOTE DATE / YEAR _ Saturday, August 11, 2018 from 2 - 4 pm. There's a dramatic reading of Euripides Bacchae in Tremont Park near the fountain in the Tremont neighbohood of the Bronx. The reading will be followed with a bi-lingual discussion. Free ice cream will be served by the Dionysus Project. This was done at the Loreto Playground at Haight and Morris Park Avenues in the Morris Park neighborhood of the Bronx.

The Clinton Playground in Crotona Park South

• OLD _ NOTE DATE / YEAR _ Friday, August 23, 2019 from 11 am - 11.45 am / Free - CityParks PuppetMobile presents Bessie's Big Shot - They describe the Puppet Mobile performance as, "Bessie the cow dreams of joining the circus. But can she lift more than Ziegfried the strongest man in the world? Fly on the trapeze high above the crowd?" At Clinton Playground in Crotona Park South.

The Williamsbridge Oval in Bedford Park in the Bronx

• OLD _ NOTE DATE / YEAR _ Friday, August 30, 2019 from 11 am - 11.45 am / Free - CityParks PuppetMobile presents Bessie's Big Shot - They describe the Puppet Mobile performance as, "Bessie the cow dreams of joining the circus. But can she lift more than Ziegfried the strongest man in the world? Fly on the trapeze high above the crowd?" At Williamsbridge Oval at 3225 Reservoir Oval East in the Bedford Park neighborhood.

Also see free Bronx movies, free Bronx concerts and free summer things to do in the Bronx.

3. East Bronx Free Outdoor Summer Theater

East of the Bronx River / East of the Bronx River Parkway / north of the East River & South of Westchester - except Woodlawn Heights

* BAAD - Bronx Academy of Arts & Music - Paid Summer Theater in the Westchester / Parkchester Neighborhoods of the Bronx

Community Performance Groups & Spaces in the Bronx - Things To Do in the Bx NYC

Location. Bronx Academy of Arts & Dance is located at 2474 Westchester Avenue in the Westchester Square neighborhood of the Bronx. They stage performances throughout other parts of the year.

• This is how the BAAD website describes them, "Home of Arthur Aviles Typical Theatre and The Bronx Dance Coalition. BAAD! is a 70-seat performance and workshop space founded in 1998 by award-winning dancer/choreographer Arthur Aviles and writer/activist Charles Rice-Gonzalez. Every year BAAD! welcomes 4,000 attendees from New York City, specifically the Bronx, to five annual festivals:

• Saturday, July 9, 2022 beginning at 8 pm - How to be an Artist and not Die Trying. This is an interdisciplinary work with a mix of music and dance from different cultures.

• Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays, July 12 - August 11, 2022 - from 9 am - 2 pm - AATT Summer Dance Academy Adventure. Dance instruction for kids ages 6 - 9 years of age.

• Thursday - Saturday, August 11 - 13, 2022 - Times Vary - Abdul Latif D2D/T Matched: An Extension. A three day dance performance event taking place in various spaces around the BAAD facility. I believe it may be a paid event - see website below.

• Friday, August 26, 2022 beginnning at 8 pm - STAYCEE PEARL DANCE PROJECT ​...ALL NIGHT LONG (WORKING TITLE). A staged installation celebrating house music and culture.

• OLD _ NOTE DATE / YEAR _ June 1, 4, 8, 19, 25 & 26 2021 - beginning at 7.30, 8 and 9 pm - BAAD Celebrates LGBTQ. They did a number of theatrical events in commemoration of Pride and Hip Hop.

Contact / Tickets. www.baadbronx.org / as of this post it seems their check out isn't working so just in case here's a telephone number - (718) 918-2110.

* City Island Community Theater Group on City Island in the Bronx

Things To Do In the Bronx NYC - Community Theater Group

Location. The City Island Theater Group is located at 116 City Island Avenue in the City Island neighborhood of the Bronx. They stage performances in the banquet hall of Grace Episcopal Church.

• Coming this Fall 2022 - Play On - A comedy by Rick Scott which will be performed in the Fall of 2022.
• They go on Hiatus Many Summers after a May / early June production - and perform periodically throughout the rest of the year - Not Free, but tickets are reasonably priced.
• Contact. www.cityislandtheatergroup.com

Also see free Bronx movies, free Bronx concerts and free summer things to do in the Bronx.

* Bufano Park - Free Summer Theater in Schuylerville in the Bronx NYC

Free Puppet Show in Bufano Park - Free Things To Do In the Bronx NYC

*** See the Puppet Mobile in the # 2. North / Central Bronx section of this report.

Location. The puppet mobile show is shown at Bufano Park at Bradford and La Salle Avenues in the Schuylerville neighborhood of the Bronx.

• OLD _ NOTE DATE / YEAR _ Friday, May 25, 2018 from 11 am - 12 noon / Free - CityParks PuppetMobile presents The Big Good Wolf Puppet Show - "A delightful tale for kids."

Also see free Bronx movies, free Bronx concerts and free summer things to do in the Bronx.

* The Bronx House - Pelham Parkway Neighborhood of the Bronx

Community Performance Groups & Space - Things To Do In the Bronx NYC

Location. The Bronx House is located at 990 Pelham Parkway South in the Pelham Parkway neighborhood of the Bronx. They host a variety of dance, music and acting classes throughout the year.

• Saturdays, July 9 - August 20, 2022 from 1 - 2 pm _ Drama / Intro to Acting. For kids 6 - 12 years of age.
• Contact / Price. Tuition - $178 / $123. For details visit their website - www.bronxhouse.org.

4. North & West Bronx Free Summer Theater

North of Spuyten Duyvil Creek, West of the Major Deegan Expressway & Van Cortlandt Park & south of Westchester

* Wave Hill - Paid & Free Theater in the Riverdale Neighborhood Bx

Paid & Free Things To Do in the Riverdale Neighborhood of the Bronx NYC

Location. Wave Hill is located along Bingham Road between 249th and 252nd Streets in the Riverdale neighborhood of the Bronx. The Riverdale Parking lot is located west / behind Wave Hill, adjacent to the Hudson River if you can't find a spot at the parking lot on site, as generally the onsite parking lot closes late afternoon.

• Tuesday, June 21, 2022 beginning at 5 pm - Ailey II: Freedom Series Dance Performance. Free, but rsvp.

• Saturday, August 6, 2022 from 3 - 4.30 pm - Citywide Dance Party. Dance to the tunes of D.J. Stormin' Norman, as part of the Festival of New York that day. Free, but rsvp.

• Contact / Rsvp. www.wavehill.org / Note - Severe weather cancels. Registration required, online or by calling 718.549.3200 x251. Questions? Please email them at information@wavehill.org or call the extension above.

* None 2022 _ Van Cortlandt Park - Free Shakespeare in the Park in the Bronx NYC

Free Things To Do in Van Cortlandt Park in the Northwest Bronx

Location. The concerts in Van Cortlandt Park are usually located at the Van Cortlandt House Museum at 6036 Broadway at 246th Street in the Van Cortlandt Park / near Fieldston neighborhood in the Bronx.

In the photo at right you can see one of the theatrical / Shakespearean productions performed in Van Cortlandt Park. Enter at Broadway and 245th Street.

• OLD _ NOTE DATE / YEAR _ Sunday, August 18, 2019 beginning at 5.30 pm [kids] & 6 pm / Free - Richard III - The tragic play of Richard III is about two brothers - one king and the prince in waiting - and about the last death on a battlefield of an English King. It is one of Shakespeare's history plays.
• Contact. The free theatrical production / Shakespeare in Van Cortlandt Park in 2019 was organized by the Hip to Hip Theatre Company of Woodside in Queens.

Also see free movies, free concerts and free summer things to do in the Bronx, free summer movies in the Bronx and free summer concerts in the Bronx and here to learn more about the Bronx neighborhoods.

TBD _ Kingsbridge Academy - Performance & Acting Classes - Summer Lights / Summer on Stage in the North Riverdale Neighborhood of the Bronx NYC

Kingsbridge Academy in the Bronx - Free & Paid Things To Do Bx NYC

Location. The theatrical classes used to be held at the Riverdale / Kingsbridge Academy MS/HS 141 at 660 West 237th Street in the Riverdale neighborhood of the Bronx. But EFFECTIVE 2019 the classes are held at the Hayes Auditorium at the College of Mount St. Vincent at 6301 Riverdale Avenue in the North Riverdale neighborhood of the Bronx.

• Thursday, Friday & Sunday, August 1, 2 & 4, 2019 - Finding Nemo by Riverdale Summer Lights Children's Theatre - Begins at 5 pm all days and matinee at 1 pm Sunday only. A Disney classic performed on stage. In the Hayes Auditorium at the College of Mount St. Vincent at 6301 Riverdale Avenue. Tickets are $10 at www.RiverdaleTheatre.org.

• Weekdays July 1 to August 9, 2019 from 9 am to 4 pm [kids] - Acting Classes - Entering grades 2 through 9 and costing $2695. Early bird discount ends in February and tuition must be paid by May. Contact www.RiverdaleTheatre.org.

5. Northern Manhattan - Near the Bronx Free Summer Theater 2022

Free Summer Theater at Marcus Garvey Park, Jackie Robinson Bandshell & Inwood Hill Parks

There's free summer theater at the above parks in nearby Harlem in Manhattan, primarily in July and August. Visit our page of summer outdoor theater in Manhattan by clicking this link.

Also see free movies, free concerts and free summer things to do in the Bronx, free summer movies in the Bronx and free summer concerts in the Bronx.

Free Outdoor Summer Theater In Bronx NYC 2022

Free Things To Do In Bronx - Free Theater in the Bronx NYC

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