NEW YORK (WCBS 880) - It’s not exactly Shakespeare in the Park, but they are calling it Shakespeare in the Parking Space.

WCBS 880′s Peter Haskell On The Story

Theater students at Fordham University‘s Lincoln Center campus commandeered two parking spaces on Columbus Avenue as they performed Shakespearean monologues on Friday.

Matthew McGuire heads the theater program and spoke with WCBS 880 reporter Peter Haskell.

“This is part of International Parking Day. People have taken a couple of parking spots and reclaimed them for public use,” he said.

Jennifer Godzeno of the group Transportation Alternatives explained that the point of the day was to “raise awareness of how much of our city’s real estate is taken up [by] parking for private automobiles.”

“It’s definitely difficult because of all the distractions going on, but that’s what makes it so exciting and fun,” said student Sarah Hagerty from San Francisco. “Driving in New York, unless it’s a cab was kind of ridiculous.”

Around New York City, other metered spaces were being turned into mini-parks to raise awareness of the need for public spaces in urban areas.

Do you think this is a good idea? Do you think it’s fair to drivers? Sound off below!