Welcome to the Blackfriars Circle

At the American Shakespeare Center, we know that theatre is more than a performance. It’s a community, a tradition and a story you can step into. As a Blackfriars Circle member, you become part of it, with savings, early access and a closer look at how we bring Shakespeare to life.

Choose from three ways to join. Start with Shakespeare Express, settle in with Shakespeare Classic, or give a little more with Shakespeare Classic Plus. Every membership covers your whole household, and every one comes with early access to tickets.

Become a Member

WHY BECOME A MEMBER?

Your membership isn’t tied to a number of performances. Come to every show or pick your favorites, and your benefits apply all year. With PatronPortal, your discounts, order history, and renewals are all in one place.

MEMBERSHIP DETAILS

Annual Fee: $75, $150, or $250 per household

Duration: One year from the date of purchase, with the flexibility to renew anytime.

How It Works: Log in to PatronPortal before you choose your seats, and your discount is applied automatically.

WHICH MEMBERSHIP IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

  • Choose Shakespeare Express if you come for the Bard and want to save every time you do.
  • Choose Shakespeare Classic if you visit often or enjoy our full season, including productions beyond Shakespeare.
  • Choose Shakespeare Classic Plus if you’d like your membership to support our work as well. Your gift helps fund the performances, education programs and community events that make ASC what it is.

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP

SHAKESPEARE EXPRESS: $75 per household

If Shakespeare is why you come, Express is the simplest way to save on every show.

  • 25% Off Shakespeare Productions: Automatic savings on tickets to our Shakespeare productions, no codes needed.
  • Early Access to Ticket Sales: Choose your seats before the general public.
  • Free Admission to Lights On Blackfriars: Join us on select Saturday mornings for lectures, workshops and panels.
  • Members-Only Newsletter: Updates, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes stories, just for you.
  • PatronPortal Access: See your discounts and order history, and renew in one place.

SHAKESPEARE CLASSIC: $150 per household

The full Blackfriars experience. For frequent guests and anyone who wants to see the whole season, Shakespeare and beyond.

Everything in Shakespeare Express, plus:

  • 25% Off All Ticket Purchases: Every production, Shakespeare or not, applied automatically.
  • Gift Shop Discount: Take a piece of the Playhouse home with you.

SHAKESPEARE CLASSIC PLUS: $250 per household

Membership, with a little more heart. Classic Plus includes every Classic benefit, and $100 of your membership is a tax-deductible gift to ASC. It’s an easy way to start giving, and we’ll thank you for it.

Everything in Shakespeare Classic, plus:

  • $100 Tax-Deductible Donation: Included in your membership.
  • Online Donor Honor Roll: Your name on our website among the supporters who make our work possible.
  • Thank-You Note from ASC: A note of appreciation from our company.
  • Applause for Our Donors: Applause for Our Donors: Every performance includes a thank-you to our donor community from the stage.

 

Compare at a Glance

Shakespeare Express

$75 / household
  • 25% Off Shakespeare Productions
  • Early Access to Ticket Sales
  • Lights On Blackfriars Free Admission
  • Members-only Newsletter
  • PatronPortal Access

Shakespeare Classic

$150 / household
  • 25% Off Shakespeare Productions
  • Early Access to Ticket Sales
  • Lights On Blackfriars Free Admission
  • Members-only Newsletter
  • PatronPortal Access
  • 25% All Ticket Purchases
  • Gift Shop Discount

Shakespeare Classic PLUS

$250 / household
  • 25% Off Shakespeare Productions
  • Early Access to Ticket Sales
  • Lights On Blackfriars Free Admission
  • Members-only Newsletter
  • PatronPortal Access
  • 25% All Ticket Purchases
  • Gift Shop Discount
  • $100 Tax-Deductible Donation Included
  • Online Donor Honor Roll
  • Applause for Our Donors: Every performance includes a thank-you to our donor community from the stage.
  • Thank You Note from ASC

READY TO JOIN OR RENEW?

Pick the membership that fits and secure your seats for the 2027 season. Your first show is closer than you think,\.

Join Now

Have Questions?

If you have any questions about your membership or need assistance accessing the PatronPortal, we’re here to help! Reach out to us at tickets@americanshakespearecenter.com or call 1.877.MUCH.ADO (1.877.682.4236), and we’ll make sure you’re all set.

Membership FAQ

All three include early access to ticket sales, a members-only newsletter, PatronPortal access and free admission to Lights On Blackfriars. Shakespeare Express saves you 25% on Shakespeare productions. Shakespeare Classic extends that 25% to all productions and adds a gift shop discount. Shakespeare Classic Plus adds a $100 tax-deductible donation, a listing on the Online Donor Honor Roll, a thank-you note from ASC and an onstage shout-out at each performance.

Express members receive 25% off tickets to our Shakespeare productions. Productions that aren’t Shakespeare plays are not included. Classic and Classic Plus members receive 25% off all productions.

Each membership is for one household, which includes everyone living at the same address. The membership is held under one account, and that account is used to purchase tickets and apply your discount.

With Shakespeare Classic Plus, $100 of your $250 membership is a tax-deductible gift to ASC, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Shakespeare Express and Shakespeare Classic memberships are not tax-deductible. How will my name appear on the Online Donor Honor Roll?

Contact us at tickets@americanshakespearecenter.com or 1.877.MUCH.ADO (1.877.682.4236), and we’ll help you move to a different membership.

Your membership lasts one calendar year from the date of purchase, and you can renew anytime.

The 25% discount applies to any seat available in the house, for the productions your membership covers: Shakespeare productions with Shakespeare Express, and all productions with Shakespeare Classic and Shakespeare Classic Plus.

Visit our ticketing website or click the “Tickets” button on the ASC homepage or any show page. This will take you to our ticketing site, where you can log in using your email and password. Before selecting seats for a performance, click the “Log in” button at the top right of your screen and enter the email and password associated with your account.

Yes. After logging in to PatronPortal, click the drop-down arrow next to your name and select “My Profile.” Then select “Benefit renewal” and “Renew.” You will also see how many days remain before your membership benefits expire.

Yes, you can log in anytime after reaching the ticketing site. We recommend logging in before adding tickets to your cart so your discount is applied automatically.