Salem Shakespeare will perform in Webster Groves’ Blackburn Park on Aug. 8

Erin Velasquez of Salem Shakespeare told the Business Development Commission that the troupe’s touring show this year will visit 30 stops and will appear in Webster Groves at Blackburn Park on Saturday, Aug. 8. “For the first time we’re going to come to Webster Groves in Blackburn Park on Saturday, August 8th,” Velasquez said, and she left contact cards and informational materials for the commission.

Velasquez described the performance as a bridged, 90‑minute presentation that typically begins around 6:30 p.m. and is staged without a permanent platform: the company travels with a festival van that carries sets, costumes and a lightweight set they can assemble in about an hour. She said the troupe plans to keep a small generator on hand if power is not available at a site and that, based on venue size and prior stops, the event could draw roughly 300–400 people.

The arts commission is among local supporters of the stop, and Velasquez said the company has secured donations from residents and is open to collaborating with area businesses on concessions, informational tables, or a small after‑party. She said city permit paperwork has been filed for the Blackburn Park date and invited the commission’s district representatives to help notify businesses about vendor or sponsorship opportunities.

Why it matters: outdoor touring theater brings cultural programming and potential foot traffic to neighborhood business districts. Local restaurants and retailers could see an evening influx of patrons if concessions and pop‑up vendors are coordinated with the troupe’s arrival and teardown schedule.

Practical details and next steps: Velasquez said rehearsals for the production are expected to start in late June; the production’s director is Rebecca Scalllet and the company encouraged local businesses to reach out using the contact information left in the meeting packet. The commission asked that district representatives distribute the troupe’s information to local businesses and agreed to include a short notice in the business newsletter and scheduled outreach email.