Welcome to the Blackfriars Circle

At the American Shakespeare Center, we know that theater is more than just a performance; it’s an immersive journey, a vibrant community, and a story waiting for you to step into. 

As a Blackfriars Circle member, you become a central part of that narrative—connecting with the magic of live performance in ways others only dream of. 

Uncover exclusive benefits crafted to enhance every moment of your theater experience, from early ticket access to special discounts, all designed to bring you closer to the stories you love.

2013 return to the forbidden planet blackfriars playhouse

Exclusive Member Perks

As a Blackfriars Circle member, you enjoy a range of benefits designed to give you the ultimate ASC experience:

  • 25% Off All Ticket Purchases: Whether bringing friends or planning a solo visit, enjoy automatic savings—no codes needed.
  • Early Access to Ticket Sales: Secure the best seats before anyone else with special access to ticket sales.
  • The New PatronPortal: Manage your membership easily—log in to access discounts, review your order and donation history, and renew your membership all in one place.
  • 10% Off Additional Programming: Dive deeper into ASC experiences with discounts on select programs, workshops, and events.
  • Members-Only Newsletter: Stay connected with the latest updates, sneak peeks, and behind-the-scenes stories curated just for you.

Why Become a Member of the Blackfriars Circle?

The Blackfriars Circle membership is your all-access pass to a more immersive ASC experience. It’s designed for flexibility—whether you want to attend every performance or pick and choose your favorites, your membership benefits apply year-round. With the PatronPortal, managing your membership is easier than ever, giving you access to everything ASC has to offer at the click of a button.

Membership Details

  • Annual Fee: $150/Household
  • Duration: One year from the date of purchase, with the flexibility to renew anytime.
  • How It Works: Your membership isn’t tied to a specific number of performances. It’s up to you to choose how often you want to join us throughout the season.
  • Want to make the most of PatronPortal? Check out our PatronPortal Guide for a step-by-step tutorial on logging in and navigating your exclusive benefits.

Ready to Join or Renew?

It’s never been a better time to become a part of the Blackfriars Circle. With our upcoming season full of incredible performances and engaging programs, now is the perfect moment to secure your membership or renew for another year of unforgettable experiences.

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 to enjoy the full Blackfriars Circle experience.

Beginning in October 2024, the Blackfriars Circle membership will last one (1) calendar year from the date of purchase. Memberships purchased between October 1, 2023 and September 30, 2024 will expire on December 29, 2024 and will not be eligible for discounts or early access to the Spring 2025 season and will not receive access to PatronPortal.

 

The membership discount applies to any tickets the members purchase for themselves or guests. However, the tickets must be purchased with the account associated with the membership to have the discount automatically applied to the tickets.

For large groups (over 10), a group sale may be a better deal. You can contact our group sales team at groupsales@americanshakespearecenter.com.

The 25% off applies to any seat available in the house.

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

If you cannot remember your password, select the “Forgot password” option on the login screen. That will send you a password reset email. If you are still having difficulties, please contact us, and we will assist you in resetting your password.

Yes! After you have logged into your PatronPortal account, click the drop down arrow next to your name and select “My Profile”. Then select “Benefit renewal” and then “Renew”. You will also see how many days you have left before your membership benefits expire on this page.

Yes, you can log in anytime after reaching the ticketing site. However, it’s recommended that you log in before adding tickets to your cart to ensure your discount is automatically applied.

No, the system will not prompt you to log in. Logging in is not required to purchase tickets. To apply your membership benefits, make sure to log in manually before starting your ticket order.

If you log in after adding tickets to your cart but before completing your purchase, your items will remain in the cart, and the discount will be applied automatically.

Unfortunately, we cannot apply discounts after a purchase is finalized. To ensure you receive your discount, please log in or contact our Box Office for assistance before completing your purchase.

After logging into the PatronPortal, you can access your order and donation history from your account dashboard.

The PatronPortal is available only to members who renew their membership or purchase a new one starting in October 2024. If you choose not to renew, you can still use your 2024 membership benefits, including your discount code, for A Christmas Carol 2024.

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 to enjoy the full Blackfriars Circle experience.

We’re happy to help update your email! If you’d like to change the email you use to log in, please reach out to us at tickets@americanshakespearecenter.com or call 1.877.MUCH.ADO (1-877-682-4236), and we’ll take care of it for you.

If you update your email in your profile settings, it only changes where you receive our emails—it does not update your login email. Since our system keeps those separate, we need to make the change on our end to ensure you can access your account smoothly.

To avoid any login issues, we recommend signing up with the email you want to use for both logging in and receiving updates. If you ever need to change it, just reach out—we’re here to help

Be a Part of the Story — Your Support Matters

At ASC, your support does more than keep the lights on—it makes magic happen. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, every gift turns into world-class performances, educational programs, and community events that touch lives. Your donation isn’t just a number; it’s the heartbeat that keeps live theatre alive, one unforgettable moment at a time.

Be the Spark—Transform Lives with Your Gift Today.

Spark a Story — Donate Today
Spend Your Fridays with Lights On Blackfriars at ASC

Looking for the ultimate way to kickstart your theatre-filled weekend in Staunton, VA? Join us at the Blackfriars Playhouse from 5-6 PM on select Fridays throughout the year for Lights On Blackfriars — an immersive series of lectures, workshops, and panels designed to deepen your connection to the world of Shakespeare.

Whether getting your quick Playhouse fix or preparing for a full ASC production later in the night, Lights On Blackfriars is the perfect addition to your Staunton weekend. Don’t miss out—plan your Friday night adventure and celebrate the supernatural with us!

With renowned scholars, theater industry experts, and familiar faces from the ASC team, each Lights On Blackfriars event offers behind-the-scenes insights and fascinating stories that bring fresh meaning to the plays in our season. From deep dives into Shakespearean themes to interactive workshops, there’s always something new to explore.

Plan Your Friday Night Escape