Throughout 2024
drama Programs—for grown ups!
ABOUT “NO KIDDING”
Become part of ASC’s repertory! Join in the fun and perform on the Blackfriars stage along with ASC Education Artists and other special guests. “No Kidding” programming happens throughout the year, where adult theatre lovers meet to read, rehearse, and perform classic plays.
“NO KIDDING” PROGRAMS:
No Kidding Drama Club: The No Kidding Drama Club meets to read and rehearse a classic play once a week over the course of one month, with a final staged reading at the Blackfriars Playhouse on the last day. Sessions happen throughout the year, see below for information on the next session. All experience levels are welcome. See below for tuition and registration details for specific upcoming sessions.
No Kidding Shakespeare Camp: This special weeklong program happens once each summer. Adult thespians (18 and up) of all experience levels are invited to spend a week strutting and fretting their hour upon the stage in a program that blends performance training with academic enrichment. You will get a crash course in all the skills that ASC actors use in professional productions in a low-stakes, “Renaissance-style” (meaning ensemble-directed), week-long rehearsal process culminating in a staged reading performance on the Blackfriars stage.
No Kidding Book Club: Join ASC for an exciting new “No Kidding” program: the Shakespeare Book Club! This free program hosted by the Staunton Public Library features a unique format of reading/listening to scenes and engaging in lively discussions from a curated reading list featuring Shakespeare, his contemporaries, and nonfiction works related to the Renaissance.
Suitable for participants aged 18+
Questions? Please email education@americanshakespearecenter.com
DRAMA CLUB FALL CYCLE: SEPTEMBER 7-OCTOBER 6
Play: THE WITCH OF EDMONTON BY ROWLEY, DECKER, and FORD
Feeling spooky? Join us this fall to stage a reading of this haunting play about an outcast woman who seeks revenge on the community that rejected her after a chance meeting with a mysterious black dog, who is much more than he appears…
This cycle is in partnership with Staunton Parks & Recreation. All experience levels are welcome. Suitable for participants ages 18 and up. Drama Club tuition is $140.
Schedule:
Saturday, September 7, 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM – Rehearsal
Saturday, September 14, 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM – Rehearsal
Saturday, September 21, 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM – Rehearsal
Saturday, September 28, 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM – Rehearsal
Sunday, October 6 – FINAL STAGED READING AT 10 AM
BOOk CLUB: SEPTEMBER 14-November 23
READING LIST: SEE HERE
Join the American Shakespeare Center for an exciting new “No Kidding” program: the Shakespeare Book Club! This FREE program hosted by the Staunton Public Library will feature a unique format of reading/listening to scenes and engaging in lively discussions from a curated reading list featuring Shakespeare, his contemporaries, and nonfiction works related to the Renaissance. No registration or minimum attendance required. Suitable for participants ages 18 and up, all experience levels welcome.
Location:
2nd Floor Meeting Room of the Staunton Public Library at 1 Churchville Ave in Staunton.
Schedule:
Saturday, September 14 at 3 PM – Assigned reading: none for first session
Saturday, October 12 at 3 PM – Assigned reading: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead by Tom Stoppard
Saturday, October 26 at 3 PM – Assigned reading: TBD
Saturday, November 9 at 3 PM – Assigned reading: TBD
Saturday, November 23 at 3 PM – Assigned reading: TBD
SHAKESPEARE CAMP 2025: July 28 – August 4
Ever wanted to live the life of a Shakespearean actor? Now’s your chance!
Join us for a thrilling week of collaboration, workshops, and stagecraft as we work to produce a staged reading of William Shakespeare’s classic comedy, Love’s Labor’s Lost. All experience levels welcome. Suitable for participants ages 18 and up. Registration for Summer 2025 begins on November 1, 2024.
SAMPLE SCHEDULE
Monday, July 28: Meet at the Blackfriars Playhouse at noon for introductions and opening activities (including a read-through of our script).
During the Week:
9am: Yoga (optional, but encouraged!)
10am – 12pm: Workshops and lessons
12 – 2pm: Lunch break
~2 – 5pm: Rehearsal
~5 – 7pm: Dinner break
7pm Thursday & Friday: doors open at the playhouse, enjoy our Summer Season! Watch our professionals, and join us for the post-show talkback on Thursday evening.
Saturday: Rehearsal in the morning, and then participants have a choice: take the rest of the day off to rest/explore Staunton, or see both Summer season shows again.
Sunday, August 3: Performance Day! We perform our staged reading in the Blackfriars Playhouse in the evening.
Monday, August 4: Sonnets in the morning, farewells by noon.
TUITION INFO
Day Camp rate: $1,300 (covers instruction and show tickets)
Residency rate: $2,300 (covers instruction and show tickets as well as lodging and breakfast at Hotel 24 South)
Shakespeare Camp discounts are always available for teachers. Email education@americanshakespearecenter.com for details.
