How do you celebrate the world’s greatest playwright? With a full week of theatre, learning, and community! For the first time ever, we’re celebrating Shakespeare’s Birthday with an entire week of workshops, wonders, and Shakespearean shenanigans at Blackfriars Playhouse!
From hands-on workshops and exclusive Playhouse tours to lively evening events—including #Shakespearaoke with The Rustic Mechanicals, a Taylor Swift & Shakespeare crossover, and ASC Drama Club performances—there’s something for every Bard-lover.
This week also serves as a fundraiser for the ASC Theatre Camp (ASCTC), helping the next generation of artists bring Shakespeare to life.
Daytime Workshops: Learn, Play, Perform!
(Interactive Blood Workshop, 2024. Photo by October Grace Media.)
Shakespeare’s work isn’t meant to be studied in silence—it’s meant to be experienced out loud! Our interactive workshops let students step into the world of Shakespeare, exploring acting techniques, soundscapes, comedy, stage effects, and audience engagement. Each session is hands-on, high-energy, and packed with the tools to bring Shakespeare’s words to life on the Blackfriars Stage!
Daytime Workshop Package – Save up to $20
Choose your adventure:
- All 5 Workshops – $55 (Best value!)
- Pick 3 Workshop Package – $36
- Pick 2 Workshop Package – $25
- Any Single Workshop – $15
Perfect for Ages 7-18 (younger & older observers welcome)
Limited space: Reserve your spot in advance!
Afternoon at the Playhouse: Explore & Discover
(Director of Education Aubrey Whitlock leads an elementary class on a Blackfriars Playhouse Tour. Photo by October Grace Media.)
Take a deep dive into the world’s only re-creation of Shakespeare’s indoor playhouse with our Extended Playhouse Tours. Led by ASC Education Tour Guides, these immersive experiences go beyond the usual tour, giving participants a hands-on look at Shakespeare’s audience interaction, cue script techniques, ensemble-based soundscapes, and more.
Extended Blackfriars Playhouse Tour
1:30 PM | Blackfriars Playhouse | 90 Minutes | Ages 7+ | $10
Why You Should Join:
- See the Playhouse from new perspectives—literally!
- Try your hand at cue scripts & audience activation
- Learn hidden details and behind-the-scenes stories
Evening Events: Shakespeare Comes Alive!
(K.P. Powell and Britt Michael Gordon in The Merry Wives of Windsor, 2024. Photo by October Grace Media.)
When the sun sets, the fun continues! Each evening, Shakespeare’s Birthday Festival transforms into a celebration of creativity, performance, and community. Whether you want to take the mic at #Shakespearaoke, dive into a Taylor Swift & Shakespeare literary crossover, or connect with industry pros who bring the arts to life, there’s something for everyone!
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- Monday: “#Shakespearaoke” with The Rustic Mechanicals | $25 includes a single drink ticket
- Tuesday: How to Build a Career in the Arts: Networking & Panel | Free Event
- Wednesday: Fundraiser Dinner for ASCTC at Remedy Burger & The Split Banana | Dine out with the ASC Education Team and support camp
- Thursday: Dear Reader: A Taylor Swift & Shakespeare Literary Crossover with Viktoria Capek | $10
- Thursday: ASCTC Fundraiser at Baja Bean Co. & Trivia Night | Dine out to support camp
From workshops to performances and learning to laughter, Shakespeare’s Birthday Festival is your chance to immerse yourself in all things Bard. Reserve your spot, grab your friends, and join the celebration!
Lock in your evening entertainmentSunday Spotlight: ASC Drama Club Takes the Stage
(The ASC Drama Club performs Macbeth. Photo by October Grace Media.)
Wrap up your weekend with the next generation of theatre-makers as ASC’s Drama Clubs step into the spotlight! These young performers have been diving deep into Shakespeare’s world, and now it’s time for them to shine.
- ASC Drama Club Junior Presents: King Lear
- ASC Drama Club Senior Presents: Scenes from The Winter’s Tale
From the tragedy of King Lear to the transformation of The Winter’s Tale, these young performers bring Shakespeare’s words to life with passion and talent. Admission is free, but space is limited, so reserve your seat online ahead of time.
Reserve Your Seat for this Free EventDownload the Shakespeare Birthday Festival Calendar
Want to keep track of all the workshops, performances, and special events happening during Shakespeare’s Birthday Festival? Download our full festival calendar as a PDF for easy access to the week’s schedule. Plan your visit, mark your must-see events, and get ready to celebrate the Bard in style!
Download the Shakespeare Birthday Festival 2025 Calendar
Shakespeare Festival Week Schedule
One epic week. A packed schedule. Workshops, tours, and immersive experiences—all at Blackfriars Playhouse, April 21–27, 2025. Connect with fellow Shakespeare lovers, take center stage, and celebrate the Bard your way. Scroll for the full schedule and start planning.
Monday, April 21, 2025
Blood Workshop
10:00 AM | Blackfriars Playhouse | 60 Minutes | Ages 7-18 | $15
Workshop designed for Ages 7-18 | Observers of all ages welcome
How do you make a Shakespearean tragedy truly bloody brilliant? In this hands-on workshop, students will test different stage blood recipes, exploring how various mixtures impact the drama, intensity, and spectacle of Shakespeare’s most infamous scenes. By working with original staging conditions and text analysis, participants will discover the role of blood in performance—both as a practical effect and a powerful storytelling tool.
- Perfect for: Middle and high school students (SOL-aligned)
- Limited participation: Ages 7-18 (younger & older observers welcome)
- Wiggly little ones? If your child becomes disruptive, we’ll ask you to step into the Playhouse lobby until they’re ready to rejoin the fun!
Shakespeare & Friends Open House
2:30 PM & 3:30 PM | 45-minute sessions | Ages 5+ | Free Event
A family-friendly, come-and-go experience
Step into the world of Shakespeare! This family-friendly Open House invites the community to explore ASC through interactive Shakespearean-themed stations, character meet-and-greets, and hands-on creative activities. Whether you’re brand new to ASC or a longtime fan, this is the perfect way to experience the magic of Shakespeare in a fun, welcoming environment.
Meet Shakespeare & Queen Elizabeth
Location: On the Blackfriars Playhouse, Stage
Activity: Strike a royal pose in our photo op area featuring costume pieces, a grand throne, and a staged setting fit for a king (or queen!).
Meet Bottom from A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Location: Blackfriars Playhouse, Basement Floor, Rehearsal Room in Tyson
Activity: Learn the art of an over-the-top staged death in a quick, fun crash course on Shakespearean stage combat and dramatic exits.
Meet the Bear from The Winter’s Tale
Location: Blackfriars Playhouse, Upper Lobby
Activity: Get creative with Shakespeare-inspired crafts, including coloring sheets and a “make your own ruff’ station—because every Shakespearean character needs a great ruff!
“#Shakespearaoke” with Rustic Mechanicals
6:00 PM | Blackfriars Playhouse | An Open-Mic Bard Bash! | Participants of all ages welcome | $25 (includes a drink ticket at the ASC bar)
Get ready to BYOB—Bring Your Own Bard! West Virginia’s only Shakespeare troupe, The Rustic Mechanicals, are kicking off Shakespeare’s birthday week with an interactive, music-filled, open-mic celebration of The Bard. Whether you want to belt out a sonnet, act out a soliloquy, or just sit back and soak in the fun, this #Shakespearaoke party is all about bringing Shakespeare to life—your way!
The RM BAND will bring the energy, but YOU will be the star of the show!
About the Rustic Mechanicals:
The Rustic Mechanicals are West Virginia’s only professional touring Shakespeare troupe.
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Words, Words, Words Workshop with Rustic Mechanicals
10:00 AM | Blackfriars Playhouse | 60 Minutes | Ages 7-18 | $15
Workshop designed for Ages 7-18 | Observers of all ages welcome
“O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?” … “Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow” … Shakespeare loved repetition—and not just for poetic flair! In this interactive workshop, students will explore how Shakespeare’s use of repetition deepens character development, builds emotional intensity, and helps actors bring powerful performances to life. Whether you’re an aspiring actor or just love the way Shakespeare plays with words, this session will unlock new ways to experience the Bard’s language.
- Perfect for: Middle and high school students (SOL-aligned)
- Limited participation: Ages 7-18 (younger & older observers welcome)
- Wiggly little ones? If your child becomes disruptive, we’ll ask you to step into the Playhouse lobby until they’re ready to rejoin the fun!
Extended Blackfriars Playhouse Tour
1:30 PM | Blackfriars Playhouse| 90 Minutes | Ages 7+ | $10
How to Build a Career in the Arts: Networking & Panel
6:00 PM | Blackfriars Playhouse | 60 Minutes | Ages 13+ | Free Event
Thinking about a career in the arts? Whether you’re dreaming of life on stage, behind the scenes, or in creative industries like writing, design, or arts management, this interactive panel and networking event is for you! Hear from professionals working in theatre and other creative fields as they share insights on career paths, education, and what it really takes to turn your passion into a profession.
What to Expect:
- A panel discussion featuring arts professionals from a variety of disciplines
- Real-world advice on education, training, and career-building
- Networking opportunities to ask questions and make connections
Who Should Attend?
- Middle & high school students curious about pursuing the arts
- College students looking for guidance on the next steps in their careers
- Parents & educators who want to support young artists in their journeys
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Audience Workshop
10:00 AM | Blackfriars Playhouse | 60 Minutes | Ages 7-18 | $15
Workshop designed for Ages 7-18 | Observers of all ages welcome
In Shakespeare’s time, the audience wasn’t just watching the play—they were part of it! This electrifying workshop teaches young performers how to engage with their most important scene partner: the audience. Through interactive exercises and live scene work, students will explore the unique, dynamic connection between actors and spectators, learning how to read the room, play with expectation, and bring the house down.
- Perfect for: Middle and high school students (SOL-aligned)
- Limited participation: Ages 7-18 (younger & older observers welcome)
- Wiggly little ones? If your child becomes disruptive, we’ll ask you to step into the Playhouse lobby until they’re ready to rejoin the fun!
Extended Blackfriars Playhouse Tour
1:30 PM | Blackfriars Playhouse | 90 Minutes | Ages 7+ | $10
Dine out the ASC Education Team | All ages welcome | Prices Vary
5:00 – 8:30 PM | Remedy Burger & Split Banana | ASC Theatre Camp Fundraiser
Good food, great company, and an even better cause! Join us for an evening of delicious local eats and community connection while supporting ASC Theatre Camp scholarships and programming.
Our community partners are giving back:
Remedy Burger will donate 10% of all sales from 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM
The Split Banana will donate 10% of all sales from 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Why You Should Come:
- Meet the ASC Education Team and learn more about our summer theatre camp
- Support young artists while enjoying some of Staunton’s best eats
- Every burger and scoop of gelato helps fund scholarships for future Shakespeareans
Stop by for dinner, grab a scoop (or two!), and chat with our team about ASC’s incredible summer camp experience. The education team will be at Remedy Burger from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm and Split Banana from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Your meal helps bring the magic of Shakespeare to young artists—see you there!
Thursday, April 24, 2025
Soundscapes Workshop
10:00 AM | Blackfriars Playhouse | 60 Minutes | Ages 7-18 | $15
Workshop designed for Ages 7-18 | Observers of all ages welcome
What does Shakespeare sound like? In this hands-on workshop, students will discover the power of sound in storytelling—learning how ASC productions build immersive soundscapes using live underscoring, acoustic effects, and the hidden sound cues embedded in Shakespeare’s dialogue. From the rumble of thunder in King Lear to the eerie whispers of the witches in Macbeth, this workshop will tune your ears to the magic of Shakespearean sound design.
- Perfect for: Middle and high school students (SOL-aligned)
- Limited participation: Ages 7-18 (younger & older observers welcome)
- Wiggly little ones? If your child becomes disruptive, we’ll ask you to step into the Playhouse lobby until they’re ready to rejoin the fun!
Extended Blackfriars Playhouse Tour
1:30 PM | Blackfriars Playhouse | 90 Minutes | Ages 7+ | $10
Dear Reader: A Taylor Swift & Shakespeare Literary Crossover with Viktoria Capek
6:00 PM | Blackfriars Playhouse | 1.5 – 2 Hours | Participants of all ages welcome | $10
For Swifties, Shakespeare lovers & literary deep-divers
Get ready to shake it off with Shakespeare! This interactive masterclass unpacks Taylor Swift’s literary influences, revealing hidden Shakespearean Easter eggs in her lyrics. From Love Story and Willow to Hamlet and Twelfth Night, we’ll break down key plays through “Swift Notes” summaries, song pairings, and lively discussions—because when it comes to storytelling, Taylor and Will are a match made in iambic heaven.
About Viktoria Capek:
A dynamic storyteller and viral literary scholar, Viktoria Capek is the mastermind behind the Taylor Swift/Shakespeare connection, soon to be a book with Penguin Random House. As a communications strategist, advocate, and educator, she bridges media, education, and the arts, creating meaningful conversations that inspire and uplift.
Baja Bean Co. ASCTC Fundraiser & Trivia Night
7:00 PM | Baja Bean | Ages 21 + | 10% of sales from the day go to ASC Theatre Camp
Make a night of it! Grab a bite at Baja Bean Co., where 10% of the day’s sales will support ASC Theatre Camp, then put your Swiftie and Shakespeare knowledge to the test at Trivia Night! Will your team reign supreme, or will you be left quoting All Too Well?
Friday, April 25, 2025
Streetlight Shakespeare Ensemble Workshop: Much Ado About Clowns
10:00 AM | Blackfriars Playhouse | 60 Minutes | Ages 7-18 | $10
Workshop designed for Ages 7-18 | Observers of all ages welcome
Step into the world of Shakespeare’s funniest fools! This high-energy, on-your-feet workshop dives into the art of clowning and comedy, equipping students with tools to craft their own hilarious scenes. Led by teaching artists from Mary Baldwin’s Streetlight Shakespeare Ensemble, participants will learn key comedy “rules,” explore improvisation, and create laugh-out-loud moments with their classmates.
- Perfect for: Middle and high school students (SOL-aligned)
- Limited participation: Ages 7-18 (younger & older observers welcome)
- Wiggly little ones? If your child becomes disruptive, we’ll ask you to step into the Playhouse lobby until they’re ready to rejoin the fun!
About Streetlight Shakespeare Ensemble:
Part of Mary Baldwin University’s Shakespeare & Performance Company, Streetlight Shakespeare Ensemble creates bold, process-driven theatre through joyful experimentation with early modern drama. We tell fearlessly playful, unflinchingly honest stories, championing diverse voices and radical inclusion. Our work invites audiences to see and be seen, challenging and connecting through collaboration, scholarship, and empathy.
Extended Blackfriars Playhouse Tour
1:30 PM | Blackfriars Playhouse | 90 Minutes | Ages 7+ | Free Event
Pericles for Young Audiences with Streetlight Shakespeare Ensemble
6:00 PM | Blackfriars Playhouse | 30-minute performance | Ages 5+ | $10
Workshop designed for Grades K-5 | Songs, movement & adventure!
Set sail on an unforgettable journey with Marina, a young wanderer searching for belonging. In this vibrant, movement-filled performance, Streetlight Shakespeare Ensemble brings Shakespeare’s Pericles to life in a way that’s perfect for young audiences.
With themes of kindness, community, and resilience, this devised piece is engaging, uplifting, and totally age-appropriate for little ones, with conflict resolution, emotional regulation, and finding comfort in community.
Sunday, April 27, 2025
ASC Drama Club Junior Presents: King Lear
7:00 PM | Blackfriars Playhouse | Approx. 30-minute performance | Observers of all ages welcome | Free Event
Storms are brewing at Blackfriars Playhouse! Our Junior Drama Club has been hard at work since January, bringing Shakespeare’s King Lear to life with bold storytelling, creative staging, and the kind of energy only young actors can deliver. Some are seasoned Drama Club veterans, while others are stepping onto the Blackfriars stage for the very first time—either way, they’re ready to command the crown!
ASC Drama Club Senior Presents: Scenes from The Winter’s Tale
7:45 PM (Following a brief intermission) | Blackfriars Playhouse | Approx. 30-minute performance | Observers of all ages welcome | Free Event
From icy betrayals to heartwarming reunions, our Senior Drama Club takes on the magic and mastery of The Winter’s Tale. These young performers—some ASC Theatre Campers, some Junior Drama Club graduates, some making their Blackfriars debut—have spent months exploring Shakespeare’s verse, rhetoric, and embedded stage directions. Now, they take center stage to share their hard work with you.
Why Attend?
- See young performers bring Shakespeare to life on stage.
- Learn about ASC’s Drama Club & Theatre Camp programs.
- Meet other families passionate about theatre.
- Enjoy a free, family-friendly Shakespeare performance!
Celebrate Shakespeare’s Birthday in Staunton, VA!
(Patrons and actors gathered at the Blackfriars Playhouse in Staunton to celebrate William Shakespeare’s 449th birthday on Sunday, April 21, 2013. Photo by Pat Jarrett)
There’s no better place to celebrate the Bard than Blackfriars Playhouse in historic Staunton, Virginia! From hands-on workshops and exclusive tours to lively performances and special events, Shakespeare’s Birthday Festival is the ultimate spring theatre experience.
Looking for the perfect spring getaway in Virginia? Staunton is one of the best small towns for arts and culture, featuring historic architecture, award-winning farm-to-table dining, and the world-famous Blackfriars Playhouse. Whether you’re traveling from Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, Richmond, or beyond, this festival is a must-visit event for theatre lovers and families alike.
Whether you’re spending Spring Break in Staunton or just visiting for the day, step into the world of Shakespeare at the first-ever re-creation of his indoor theatre. Join the celebration, experience the magic of live performance, and make unforgettable memories—see you at The American Shakespeare Center’s Blackfriars Playhouse!