Bringing an extraordinary, world-class
theatre to life
Hudson Valley Shakespeare
The challenge
Founded in 1987, Hudson Valley Shakespeare is renowned for its fresh productions of Shakespeare, contemporary plays and musicals. Set on a 98-acre campus overlooking the Hudson River, it has become a cultural destination for audiences across the U.S.
The centrepiece of the campus is the new Samuel H. Scripps Theater Center – an extraordinary open-air theatre.
Hotfoot was commissioned to create a new website that reflects the ambition of the organisation and brings its world-class venue, programme and visitor experience to life.
The strategy
Through a comprehensive discovery process, we defined key audiences, clarified priorities and aligned the website’s performance with measurable business goals.
- Deliver an improved user experience that is intuitive, engaging, and responsive across all devices
- Ensure full compliance with current accessibility standards, making the site welcoming and usable for every visitor
- Support core conversion goals through seamless Spektrix integration, clear calls-to-action, and a frictionless patron pathway for ticket sales and donations
- Capture the organisation’s brand personality with a playful, dynamic design that reflects the exuberance of live performance and the unpretentious spirit of Hudson Valley Shakespeare
- Visually express the convergence of culture and nature, centering the essential elements of the work and vision: the actor, audience, language, and landscape
The deliverables
User Experience
We mapped key user journeys, developed a clear site architecture and created wireframes that established the foundation for an intuitive visitor experience.
Design
A clean, accessible and visually engaging design was crafted to reflect the ambition of Hudson Valley Shakespeare and the beauty of its unique setting.
Website Development
The site was built to deliver a fast, responsive experience across all devices, balancing performance with rich storytelling.
CMS Implementation
We implemented a flexible content management system, giving the team complete control over managing and evolving the site.
Spektrix Integration
A seamless Spektrix integration connected ticketing, memberships and donations, creating a smooth experience for both audiences and staff.
Client Feedback
“As we prepare to open the Samuel H. Scripps Theater Center in 2026, we’re excited to collaborate with Hotfoot to align our digital presence with our mission as Hudson Valley Shakespeare continues to grow. This is an important moment for Hudson Valley Shakespeare, and we want our digital home to feel as welcoming and accessible as the experience we offer in person. Hotfoot’s creative approach and technical expertise will help us build an engaging website that truly reflects who we are and makes it easy for our community to explore our programs, connect with our work, and purchase tickets with confidence and ease.”
Kirsty Gaukel, Director of Marketing and Communications
