William’s father, John Shakespeare, was a member of the borough ... At some point Shakespeare went to London, leaving his family in Stratford, and established himself as a playwright and actor.

He was also known to have been friends with William Catesby, father of Robert Catesby (lead conspirator of the Gunpowder Plot). Furthermore, William Shakespeare’s mother’s family, Mary Arden, was ...

With less touring, it’s been a while since all the world has been its stage, but the troupe is working with the Chicago Shakespeare Theater — where it has family ties.