Other plays sample various genres and playwrights, classical and modern, sometimes with an emphasis on Southern works.

The festival stages more than 400 performances each year that attract more than 300,000 visitors from throughout the United States and more than 60 countries.

[citation needed] But the project persisted, with a number of innovative performances - including Taming of the Shrew set in 1950s New York City.

Eventually, the Shakespeare Festival grew to garner critical acclaim, but lacked the financial support to keep it afloat.

On April 25, 2008, ASF announced that its relationship with the University of Alabama would be phased out following the graduation of the last class in August 2009.