Year Round
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!
All Events
Shows
Select Fridays at 5 PM
FNLO is now Lights ON Blackfriars—your pre-show deep dive into the plays and performances at ASC. Featuring Shakespeare scholars, theatre experts, and ASC artists, this series of insightful discussions, workshops, and panels unpacks the stories, staging, and themes that shape each production.
May 1, 2025 – August 2, 2025
Experience the elegance and wit of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility at the Blackfriars Playhouse. Follow the Dashwood sisters as they navigate love, heartbreak, and the constraints of their world in a timeless tale of resilience and romance.
June 5, 2025 – August 2, 2025
Discover Shakespeare's tale of jealousy and redemption in The Winter's Tale, a story that spans realms and time. Witness the journey from tragedy to forgiveness in a production that will leave you moved by the power of love and reconciliation.
August 9
Sorry, Most Sorry, a family-friendly adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale, condensed into an engaging 30-minute performance. Two spirited sisters set out to heal old hurts and discover that the most powerful magic is a genuine apology. Perfect for kids, grown-ups, Shakespeare lovers, and anyone who believes stories can bring us together. This special event is Pay-What-You-WIll and features a dedicated ensemble cast engaged solely for this performance. Recommended for ages 3 and up.
August 28 – November 15
Fall into the rush of first love with Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare's iconic story of passion, defiance, and connection that can't be stopped. When two young hearts find each other in a world built on hate, they risk everything to hold on to what feels true.
September 11 – November 15
How far would you go for love - and would your best friend forgive you? In The Two Gentlemen of Verona, friendship collides with romance in a fast-paced tale of loyalty, love, and the foolish choices we make along the way.
September 18
Bring your homeschoolers ages 7 and up to the American Shakespeare Center in Staunton for a unique field trip with live performances, hands-on workshops, and interactive talkbacks that make history and literature exciting for all ages.
October 16 – November 16
Two legendary pirate queens come to life in a museum, crash through the fourth wall, and pull one teen into a story of rebellion, sea shanties, and charting your own course. The Pirate Ballad of Bonny & Read is bold, brash, and ready to set sail.
October 31
Celebrate Halloween at the Blackfriars Playhouse with The Pirate Ballad of Bonny & Read. A swashbuckling adventure for all ages who love pirates and Halloween. Put on your finest pirate shirt and join the crew. Dressing up is optional.
December 4 – 27
Celebrate the holiday season with A Christmas Carol, a heartwarming production that reminds us of the joy, generosity, and togetherness of the holiday season.