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Photo by Madison Patterson.

Step into Spring

Disguise, Desire, & Deduction

Photo by Madison Patterson.

Summer in Shared Light

Wonder & Wild Hearts

Photo by October Grace Media.

GO BEYOND THE SHOW

Discover Playhouse Tours, Pre-Show Conversations, & Curated Tastings

Executive Director Vanessa Morosco and the ASC Spring Company 2024. Photo by October Grace Media.

Find Your Adventure

Experience one-night-only performances, family-friendly adventures, and unique events you won’t find anywhere else.

Take the Playhouse Home

show pins, fashion-forward tees, and gifts from local makers.

Twelfth Night 2026

Shipwrecked and disguised, Viola stumbles into a love triangle in a clockpunk Illyria that spirals out of control. Add wild parties, forged letters, and yellow stockings, andTwelfth Night becomes Shakespeare's most mischievous comedy of mistaken identity.

February 19, 2026 – May 3, 2026
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Blake Henri and Angela Iannone in costume for Twelfth Night 2026 sit next to the title text. Photo by Madison Patterson.

The Hound of the Baskervilles 2026

Sherlock Holmes’ most chilling mystery gets a gloriously funny twist. In this madcap comedy, The Hound of the Baskervilles unleashes slapstick surprises, rapid-fire quick changes, and theatrical chaos that will leave you howling with laughter.

February 26, 2026 – May 17, 2026
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The Cast & Foley Artist for The Hound of the Baskervilles 2026 sit next to the title text. Photo by Madison Patterson.

A Bold Stroke for a Husband 2026

A cheating husband. A clever wife. A scandal rewritten. Hannah Cowley’s A Bold Stroke for a Husband lights up Madrid with secrets, social satire, and a woman in disguise who’s three steps ahead.

April 9 – May 2
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The Cast of Bold Stroke for a Husband 2026 sit next to the title text. Photo by Madison Patterson.

As You Like It 2026

Escape to the Forest of Arden, where Rosalind takes charge, Orlando carves love into trees, and Shakespeare lets comedy run wild with moments that remind us sometimes you have to lose yourself to find yourself.

May 28, 2026 – August 8, 2026
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The American Shakespeare Center | Blackfriars Playhouse As You Like It Title Treatment ASC 2026 Summer Repertory Season

Our Town 2026

Life, love, marriage, loss—and the moments in between. In Thornton Wilder’s Our Town, the people of Grover’s Corners remind us that the smallest details often carry the deepest meaning. A timeless American classic that asks: Do we ever realize life while we live it?

June 25 – August 9
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The American Shakespeare Center | Blackfriars Playhouse | Our Town Title Treatment ASC 2026 Summer Repertory Season

Lights ON Blackfriars

Pair your visit with Lights ON Blackfriars, a welcoming Saturday morning conversation with the artists and scholars behind the show. Learn more, ask questions, and head into the performance with a fresh perspective. Select Saturdays at 11 AM, after the Playhouse Tour.

Select Saturdays at 11 AM
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Dr. Peter Kirwan and Director Raphael Emmanuel at Lights ON Blackfriars for The Winter's Tale 2025. Photos by Madison Patterson.

Playhouse Tours

Our ASC Education Tour Guides will take you up, down, and around the world's first re-creation of Shakespeare's indoor theatre and share secrets and anecdotes from the past and the present!

Year Round
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Virtual Playhouse Tour

Interested in exploring our beautiful Blackfriars Playhouse, but can't attend an in-person tour? Purchase access to our Virtual Playhouse Tour instead! You'll be able to learn about our modern theater and its historical predecessor—with added locations inaccessible to the public on in-person tours!

Year Round
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Shakespeare Uncorked

Sip, savor, and experience a pre-show wine and beer tasting at the American Shakespeare Center. Enjoy Virginia’s best craft beverages from top wineries and breweries before select performances at Blackfriars Playhouse. Limited tickets available—reserve your spot today.

Pre-show Event on Select Saturdays
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Shakespeare Uncorked at the American Shakespeare Center – two people in historical costumes toasting with vintage goblets, promoting a pre-show wine and beer tasting experience featuring Virginia craft beverages.

"No Kidding" Programs for Adults

"No Kidding" Programs happen throughout the year to give adult theatre lovers (ages 18+) the chance to read, rehearse, and perform classic plays. Join in the fun and perform on the Blackfriars stage along with ASC Education Artists and other special guests.

All Year Round
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WHOOSH: An Introduction to William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night

Join Angelique Archer, a teaching artist and actor at the ASC, for this interactive storytelling activity that allows children of all ages to bring the story of Twelfth Night to life, becoming all the characters, objects, places, and events in it without prior knowledge of the plot.

April 4
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Angelique Archer in ASC's Twelfth Night 2026. Photo by Madison Patterson. 1600x900

Summer England Book Signing and Q&A 2026

The ASC invites you to a cozy morning at the Blackfriars Playhouse with Summer England, local actress and author, as we celebrate her debut novel, The Impossible Garden of Clara Thorne. Join us for a lively discussion, Q+A, surly hedgehog, and book signing (oh my!)

April 18
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Meet The Author Special Event at the Blackfriars Playhouse featuring Summer England author of The Impossible Garden of Clara Thorne.

Blackfriars Playhouse Gift Shop

Take a piece of Shared Light with you. Shop show pins, fashion-forward tees, and gifts from local makers. Every purchase brightens the chandeliers for new artists onstage, welcomes neighbors into community, and opens doors for students at the ASC. Open pre-show, at intermission, and online 24/7. Just click "MORE INFO" to shop now.

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Darin F Earl II and Aimee Amelia Greco wearing We do it with the lights on ASC hoodies outside the Blackfriars Playhouse.

Plan Your Trip to ASC:

You Make an Impact at the ASC

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We’re proud to share the 2024–2025 Donor Impact Report, a look at how your generosity shaped artistry, education, and community this year.
From empowering artists on the Blackfriars stage to expanding ASL-interpreted performances, student matinees, Drama Clubs, and Theatre Camps—you made it all possible. Thank you.

Read the 2024–2025 Donor Impact Report

Spring 2026 Directors & Cast

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Join us for a milestone year at the Blackfriars Playhouse as we celebrate 25 years of shared light. Led by three directors and performed by a single, versatile company, the season includes a Shakespearean comedy of disguise, a fast-paced mystery, and a rediscovered classic driven by wit and audacity.

Meet the Directors and Cast

Spring 2026 Season Events

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Playhouse Tours and Lights ON Blackfriars now have new Saturday times. Pair them with a show (or two) and make it a Shakespeare Saturday at the Blackfriars Playhouse this spring in Staunton, VA. Plus New Usher Training, Bard & Bites Boxes, and more—all in our Spring Season Events blog.

Discover What's Happening This Spring

Your Support Matters

At ASC, your support does more than keep the lights on—it makes magic happen. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, each gift fuels performances, education, and community events. Your donation is the heartbeat that keeps live theatre alive, creating unforgettable moments and touching lives.

Donate to Make a Difference

Blackfriars Circle Membership

Join the Blackfriars Circle for priority seating, discounted tickets, and early access to events at the American Shakespeare Center. Get behind-the-scenes access, member-only gatherings, and personalized service—all while supporting the magic of live theatre. Share your passion and elevate your experience.

Learn More About Membership

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Have questions about your visit to the Blackfriars Playhouse?
Find everything you need on our general FAQ page, where we’ve compiled answers to the most common inquiries—whether it’s about tickets, seating, or what to expect during your theatre experience!

Visit our FAQ page