Have you ever walked outside the theater during the day and squinted and thought, “Oh my God, what is this bright thing in my eyes?”

It’s the sun. If you’ve been trapped inside a theater or at classes or rehearsals all winter you may have forgotten about it. But luckily, not all theater is indoors. This summer, there are lots of chances to experience live outdoor theater all over the Chicago area.

In fact, Green Shirt Studio co-founder Andrew Gallant will be playing Falstaff in an outdoor theater production of Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor in Evanston this summer (see more info below).

To help you out, we made a list of all of the outdoor theater events we could find going on in the Chicago area this summer, organized by city. So grab your blanket and your lawn chairs and enjoy!

Where you can see outdoor theater this summer

Chicago For the last several years, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, one of the most respected theater companies in the city, has been working with the Chicago Park District to provide free, 75-minute performances of some of Shakespeare’s best-known classics at various parks throughout the city over the course of about two weeks in July and August. The company simply rolls a truck into each park, unfolds the stage, and the actors make the play come alive. Last year, they presented Romeo and Juliet. This year’s show, as well as the specific dates and times, have not yet been announced. Check back here soon for more info.

Evanston Evanston prides itself on being a very educated community, so it makes sense that this nearby suburb boasts not one, not two, but THREE different Shakespeare productions each summer. This year, you can catch an all-kids production of Julius Caesar presented by Mudlark Theater, an indoor and an outdoor production of Richard III, or you can even see Green Shirt co-founder Andrew Gallant playing Falstaff in the Arc Theatre’s production of the Merry Wives of Windsor!

Julius Caesar (Presented by Mudlark Theater) When: June 21-24 at 7 p.m. Where: Ridgeville Park, 908 Seward St., Evanston Tickets: Free More Info

The Merry Wives of Windsor (Presented by The Arc Theatre) When: July 21-Aug. 12. Saturdays and Sundays at 7 p.m. Where: Ridgeville Park, 908 Seward St., Evanston Tickets: Free More Info

Richard III (Presented by the Muse of Fire Theatre Company) When: Aug. 11-12, Aug. 18-19, Sept. 1-2, Sept. 8-9. Saturdays and Sundays at 3 p.m. Where: Ingraham Park, 2100 Ridge Ave., Evanston Tickets: Free More Info Richard III (Presented by the Muse of Fire Theatre Company) When: Aug. 24-25 at 7:30 p.m. Where: Evanston Public Library (indoor performances), 1703 Orrington Ave., Evanston Tickets: Free More Info

Geneva Head out of the city for an evening of Shakespeare in the park on the banks of the Fox River in Geneva, IL. Island Park is the perfect idyllic setting to enjoy the works of The Bard. Bring chairs, blankets and picnics (or purchase food from vendors) and enjoy 90 minutes of laughs courtesy of Stone Soup Shakespeare’s interpretation of The Taming of the Shrew.

Seating begins at 5 p.m. and a there is a preshow craft activity for kids. Parking is available in the lot at the southeast corner of Route 25 and State St., and in the Metra commuter lot just south of the railroad bridge on Route 31. Follow the signs on the river path to Island Park.

Taming of the Shrew (Presented by Stone Soup Shakespeare) When: July 7 at 6 p.m. Where: Island Park, 2 Route 25, Geneva Tickets: Free More info

Oak Brook If you love musicals, you won’t want to miss this production called Shrew’d, a world-premiere musical based on Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. It’s a sharp new take on this comic battle of the sexes, set in 1930s Chicago and featuring a jazz score. Plus, you’ll get the chance to see it on the grounds of a gorgeous, Tudor-style mansion.

Shrew’d (Presented by First Folio Theater) When: July 14-Aug. 19. Previews July 11-13. Where: Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31^st St., Oak Brook Tickets: $34-44 general admission, $29-39 for students and seniors, $10 children. $25 for previews More info

Oak Park Like Evanston, Oak Park has long been home to book lovers and theater lovers alike. So it’s no wonder that they always have lots of cultural opportunities throughout the year. This summer, the Oak Park Festival Theatre is presenting two different shows in an outdoor setting: You Can’t Take It With You, a 1930s mapcap comedy about an eccentric New York family, and The African Company Presents Richard III, a behind-the-scenes story of an African-American theater company putting on a production of Shakespeare’s Richard III in 1820s New York.

You Can’t Take It With You (Presented by the Oak Park Festival Theatre) When: June 15-July 22. Preview on June 14. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 7 p.m. Where: Austin Gardens, 167 Forest Ave., Oak Park Tickets: $32 general admission, $27 seniors, $15 students, free for children 12 and under. $10 during previews. Free community show on June 15. More Info

The African Company Presents Richard III (Presented by the Oak Park Festival Theatre) When: Aug. 2-Sept. 1. Previews July 28-Aug. 1. (Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 7 p.m.) Where: Austin Gardens, 167 Forest Ave., Oak Park Tickets: $32 general admission, $27 seniors, $15 students, free for children 12 and under. $10 during previews. Free community show on Aug. 2 More Info

Wheaton Every year, students from Wheaton College’s Arena Theater present a work by Shakespeare outside in the park for the public to enjoy for free. And this year is no exception! Bring your lawn chairs and settle in for a production of The Tempest, about The Duke of Milan who conjures up a storm to cause his brother and King Alonso of Naples to believe they are shipwrecked.

The Tempest (Presented by Wheaton College) When: Aug. 30-Sept. 1 at 7 p.m. Where: Memorial Park, 208 W. Union Ave., Wheaton Tickets: Free Info: https://wheatonparkdistrict.com/events/shakespeare/