We’ll see you at the Playhouse — in-person OR virtually!
Join us Saturday, October 17, 2020 as we come together as a community to celebrate the close of the 2020 SafeStart Season.
In-person Gala guests will enjoy a socially-distanced champagne toast, while our online guests will gather at virtual tables. The show starts with ASC’s signature music, the presentation of the Burbage and Goodfellow awards, and a live and live-streamed performance of the critically-acclaimed production of Othello.
Both groups will meet up at the red carpet to show off your best quarantine couture!
For tickets to ASC’s annual gala,
please contact the development department aT development@americanshakespearecenter.com
VIEW PHOTOS FROM THE 2019 GALA
2019 Burbage Award winner Paul Gross poses with the ASC Artistic Company, Ethan McSweeny, and Amy Wratchford 2019 Goodfellow Award winners Chris and Betsy Little pose with Amy Wratchford, Ralph Alan Cohen, and actor David Anthony Lewis. 2019 ASC Resident Troupe closes the Gala to a rousing ovation. ASC National Touring Troupe members perform (above) while Gala guests mingle. 2019 Goodfellow Award winner Chris Little with ASC senior leadership. 2019 ASC Artistic Company with Artistic Director Ethan McSweeny and Managing Director Amy Wratchford Dorothy and Bill McSweeny, Washington, DC, enjoy the Gala performance. ASC Managing Director Amy Wratchford presents 2019 Burbage Award to actor Paul Gross as Artistic Director Ethan McSweeny looks on. ASC Resident Troupe members (L-R) Geoffrey Kent, John Harrell, David Anthony Lewis and Brandon Carter perform their cover of Taylor Swift's "Bad Blood." ASC Touring Troupe member Madeline Calais performing her original song "Lonesome Day" featuring Kenn Hopkins, Jr. (Adam Zarowski on bass.) Slings & Arrows actor Paul Gross accepts the 2019 Burbage Award on behalf of himself and co-star Martha Burns. ASC's Marc Antony, Geoffrey Kent, opens the Gala with "Friends, Roman, countrymen..." ASC Resident Troupe member David Anthony Lewis congratulates Chris Little. ASC Resident Troupe actor John Harrell performs an excerpt of Julius Caesar. Lena Hill, Dean of The College at Washington and Lee University, enjoys the Gala with husband Michael Hill ASC camper Josie Arthur of Richmond, VA, performs her original song "The Roaring Girl" ASC Touring Troupe member Topher Embrey performs Bottom's death up close and personal for Stauntonians Cheri and Phil Moran. ASC Director of Education Sarah Enloe leads ASC Co-founder Ralph Alan Cohen through a virtual reality tour of the Blackfriars Playhouse. ASC Resident Troupe member Zoe Speas brings virtual reality to life ASC Resident Troupe member Nancy Anderson performs a song from the world-premiere musical The Willard Suitcases. ASC Board Chair Candice Hark toasts the Gala crowd. Heifetz International Music Institute Artistic Director Nicholas Kitchen performs in tribute to Chris and Betsy Little ASC Co-Founder Ralph Alan Cohen presents the 2019 Goodfellow Award with ASC Resident Troupe member David Anthony Lewis. The 2019 Burbage Award: a replica of the fabled Blackfriars Chandeliers mounted on a decommissioned shield once wielded by Henry V, hand-crafted by Copper Patina owner-artisan Bob Swartz. ASC Resident Troupe actors David Anthony Lewis and Constance Swain perform an excerpt from Shaw's Caesar and Cleopatra. 2019 Goodfellow Award winners Chris and Betsy Little watch video remarks from VA Senator Tim Kaine. ASC Resident Troupe member Sylvie Davidson performs a ballad from The Willard Suitcases. ASC Artistic Director Ethan McSweeny presents the 2019 Burbage Award. ASC 2019 Resident Troupe ASC 2019 National Touring Troupe ASC Resident Troupe members Ronald Román-Meléndez and Michael Manocchio with ASC Associate Artistic Director Dan Hasse 2019 Goodfellow Award winners Chris and Betsy Little celebrate with family Meg and Jeff Pearson ASC Artistic Director Ethan McSweeny and 2019 Burbage Award-winning actor Paul Gross Broadway veteran Nancy Anderson with ASC Artistic Director Ethan McSweeny Broadway veteran and ASC featured actor Nancy Anderson Mandi Montgomery Smith and ASC Board Member Rodney Young, Staunton, VA Sandra Higgins, Tracie Farmer, and Charman Driver attend the Gala Actor Stuart Margolin and Patricia Margolin, Staunton, VA ASC Artistic Director Ethan McSweeny and Jim Zufall Authors Aran and Margot Shetterly; Ambassador Ken Adelman; and ASC Board Members Carol Adelman and Frank Gannon Sarah Arthur with daughter Josie Arthur, ASC camper and featured Gala performer. James Adelman and Susan Jackowitz attend the Gala. ASC Director of Education Sarah Enloe with ASC Co-Founder and Director of Mission Dr. Ralph Alan Cohen Robin Miller and Lynne Turner, Richmond, VA William and Carole Schmidt, Charlottesville, VA ASC Board Member Cliff Garstang Jeff and Cecilia Nelson with their daughter Julia, former ASC camper, Wilmington, DE ASC Board Chair Candice Hark and her husband Aaron Hark, Charlottesville, VA ASC Board Member Miriam Donald Burrows, Staunton, VA Eric Lundy and Jim Zufall, Washington, DC Ann Pontius and Michael Stahl, Staunton, VA Drs. Allison and Patrick Baroco, Staunton, VA ASC Artistic Director Ethan McSweeny with Dorothy and Bill McSweeny, Washington, DC ASC Artistic Director Ethan McSweeny with Dorothy McSweeny, Washington, DC MBU President Pamela Fox and Community Foundation President Dan Layman Ashby Wratchford and ASC Managing Director Amy Wratchford ASC Board Member David Ladd (center) with his wife Donna, (L-R) Chris and Julia Bland, Alissa Cruz of Blue Ridge Community College. Sara Arthur, Richmond, VA, and ASC Board Member Kara Burke, Charlottesville, VA ASC Co-Founder and Director of Mission Dr. Ralph Alan Cohen with his wife Judy Cohen (L) and Jackie Schwimmer (R) ASC Artistic Director Ethan McSweeny with Ali and Mark Russell Florals sponsored by Honeybee Florists. Florals sponsored by Honey Bee's Florists.
