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Lights On Blackfriars: Inside ASC’s Little Women & King Lear

What happens when a beloved American novel and a towering Shakespearean tragedy share the same stage and the same cast?

In this special Lights ON Blackfriars panel, audiences got a front-row seat to the conversation behind ASC’s 2025 Spring Season. Director Constance Swain, Director Paul Barnes, and Playwright Erin Riley dive deep into the creative process behind Little Women and King Lear, sharing insight, vulnerability, and humor along the way.

Recorded at the Blackfriars Playhouse in Staunton, Virginia, on February 7th, 2025, this conversation gives you a rare glimpse into the heart of ASC’s process: bold direction, deep collaboration, and the transformative power of shared light.

Listen to Lights ON Blackfriars: Little Women & King Lear

 Meet the Panelists

Highlights from the Panel

“This is our Little Women.”
Erin Riley created a version of Alcott’s novel that feels tailor-made for ASC’s ensemble, space, and values. Director Constance Swain reflects on working with actors to find both the vulnerability and the strength in each character.

“The Fool is the allowed truth-teller.”
Paul Barnes directed King Lear, and his insights into the play’s emotional architecture—grief, power, betrayal, and grace—reveal why it still hits hard today. The shared light of the Blackfriars makes it feel even more immediate and human.

The Power of Repertory
Both plays are performed in repertory, with the same actors taking on wildly different roles across the two shows. The panel touches on how that dynamic deepens the performances—and offers a richer experience for returning audiences.

What Is Lights On Blackfriars?

Panel discussion during Lights ON Blackfriars. Iluminating Theatre. Igniting Discussion. at the Blackfriars Playhouse in Staunton, featuring four speakers engaging in a lively conversation on stage. The event showcases ASC’s interactive theater programming, connecting audiences with experts in Shakespeare and the performing arts.

Lights ON Blackfriars is ASC’s signature artist conversation series. These events bring artists and audiences together to talk about choices, process, and the deeper meaning behind the work.

If you love hearing the why behind the what, this is your backstage pass.

Last Chance to See Little Women & King Lear Live

Want to experience these stories on stage after hearing the vision behind them? Don’t wait.

Little Women runs through April 19, 2025
King Lear runs through April 19, 2025

Blackfriars Playhouse, Staunton, Virginia
Book Your Spring Season Tickets Now

Coming Up: More Lights On Blackfriars

This spring and summer, the conversation continues.

  • May 2 – Sense & Sensibility with director Jemma Alix Levy

  • June 6 – The Winter’s Tale with director Raphael Emmanuel and guest scholar Dr. Peter Kirwan (Arden 4 editor)

Experience Lights ON Blackfriars Live

Make a Weekend of It

Just 2.5 hours from Washington, D.C., Staunton, VA is the perfect spot for a weekend of theatre, mountain views, and historic charm. Explore downtown restaurants, boutique shopping, and the one-of-a-kind Blackfriars Playhouse, home to ASC’s bold, shared light performances.

Come for the show. Stay for the story.

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