Plan Your Visit
Experience Shakespeare the Way He Intended
Step into the world’s only re-creation of Shakespeare’s indoor theatre, in one of America’s Best Main Streets.
At the Blackfriars Playhouse in Staunton, Virginia, the American Shakespeare Center brings you classics, modern shows, and world premieres in a theater unlike any other, where the lights stay on and the audience is part of the show.
ASC is one of the few remaining professional repertory theaters in America. Throughout our spring, summer, fall, and holiday seasons, our company of actors from across the country plays multiple roles in multiple shows. Make it a weekend and see two or three different shows in one weekend, featuring the same actors in a new role each time.
Visit One of America’s Best Main Streets
Named one of America’s best small-town main streets by Reader’s Digest, Oprah Daily, andCountry Living, and a USA Today 10Best finalist for Best Small Town Cultural Scene, Staunton is the perfect escape. Park your car and leave it there all weekend while you explore this historic Main Street, with its award-winning restaurants, tasting rooms, eclectic boutiques, and museums.
Where to Stay in Staunton
From historic downtown hotels to quiet getaways nearby, our lodging partners offer special rates and deals for ASC guests.
Blackburn Inn and Conference Center
Settle into The Blackburn, a historic Staunton inn with modern comforts, just a short drive from the Blackfriars Playhouse. Stroll the beautiful grounds, dine at the on-site restaurant, and unwind at the spa.
ASC Visitor Rate: 15% off standard rates for anyone traveling to see an ASC show. Use promo code ASC22 when you book.
Hotel 24 South
Hotel 24 South is just steps from the Blackfriars Playhouse. Built in 1924, this historic Staunton hotel pairs old-world grandeur with modern comforts, and it has a full restaurant and bar on site.
Book with the ASC discount:
- Online: enter promo code ASC4ME when you reserve
- By phone: call 540-885-4848 and mention the ASC discount
The discount applies to overnight accommodations only. Tickets are purchased separately through ASC.
Things to Do in Staunton Around Your Show
Dine Downtown
Staunton’s dining scene has something for every appetite and every budget. Indulge at James Beard-nominated chef Ian Boden’s Maude and the Bear, settle in with comfort food and familiar favorites at the Depot Grille, try contemporary dining at Zynodoa, grab homemade pizza at Pizza Luca, or visit The Green Room, started by two American Shakespeare Center alums. End the night with a cocktail at The Junction Bar and Lounge, a sophisticated adults-only lounge.
Explore on Foot
Downtown Staunton is made for wandering. With six historic districts, more than any other city in Virginia, it’s a walkable showcase of architectural styles. Pick up a walking guide at the visitor center and explore. While you’re at it, do some window shopping on Beverly Street and in the Wharf District, where local boutiques carry antiques, home decor, handmade jewelry, and fair-trade gifts.
One block from the Blackfriars Playhouse, the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum offers tours of the president’s birthplace and museum exhibits on his life and legacy.
Go a Little Farther
Staunton sits near the meeting point of two of America’s most scenic drives: Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Spend your day on scenic overlooks and hiking trails in some of the East Coast’s most treasured landscapes.
Closer to town, the Frontier Culture Museum is just a short drive from the Blackfriars Playhouse. It brings the Shenandoah Valley’s early settlers to life. Walk through original homes moved from across the world, and meet living history interpreters.
Our Address
10 South Market Street, Staunton, VA 24401
Box Office Hours
- Wednesday-Friday from 1:00 PM – 5:00 p.m.
- Saturdays & Sundays from 12:00 PM – 4:00 p.m.
Parking in Downtown Staunton
Parking is easy in downtown Staunton. The New Street Garage is the closest to the Blackfriars Playhouse, and surface lots are located throughout downtown.
Street parking is available near the Playhouse, and is free on weekends and on weekdays after 5:00 p.m.
For hourly rates and more parking options, visit the City of Staunton website
10 South Market Street
10 South Market Street, Staunton, VA, USA
ACCESSIBILITY
- Wheelchair-accessible seating is available on the first and second levels for all our performances.
- Hearing assistance receivers and follow-along scripts are available at the box office.
- Service dogs are permitted in the Blackfriars Playhouse.
- Vision-impaired patrons may request a complimentary companion ticket.
- Take a 360 Tour of the Theater by photographer Richard Finkelstein to view your seats in advance.
Ticket Deals and Discounts at the Blackfriars Playhouse
Whether you’re visiting for the first time or already know your favorite seat, there are plenty of ways to save.
Save on Tickets
Join the Blackfriars Circle
Members always get the best deal. Save 25% off tickets and buy before the public, with no set number of shows. Become a Blackfriars Circle member.
Bring a Group
Three’s a crowd, but ten is a group! Qualified groups receive a special rate.
Group Discounts
Pay-What-You-Will Previews
Previews are held the day before a show opens, and they are always Pay-What-You-Will. There are no advance reservations. Arrive at the Blackfriars Playhouse 30 to 60 minutes before curtain to join the line. Seats are first come, first served. Doors to the lobby open at about 6:30 p.m., and you’ll pick up your seat at the Box Office desk. Pay what you wish after the show.
Upcoming Pay-What-You-Will previews:
Rush Tickets: 50% Off Wednesdays and Thursdays
Local Rush
Live nearby? Take 50% off Wednesday and Thursday performances if you live in Augusta, Albemarle, Bath, Nelson, Highland, Rockbridge, or Rockingham County, or in Charlottesville, Waynesboro, Staunton, Harrisonburg, or Lexington.
The week of the show, call the Box Office or stop by the Playhouse to reserve.
Seating is subject to availability, with a limit of 8 tickets per customer. Not available for holidays or special events.
Walk-Up Rush
Not a local? Everyone’s invited. Get 50% off Wednesday and Thursday tickets in person, starting one hour before showtime at the Blackfriars Playhouse. No advance reservations.
Seating is subject to availability, with a limit of 4 tickets per customer. Not available for holidays or special events.
Flash Sales and Limited-Time Offers
ASC occasionally offers limited-time deals on select performances. Please note:
- Members always get the best deal. Save 25% off tickets and buy before the public, with no set number of shows. Become a Blackfriars Circle member.
- Enter your code at checkout. Offers apply only during the stated window, online or by phone. We can’t apply a discount to an earlier order or to an order placed without the code.
- Any seat in the house. Codes work for any seat at the listed performances, for up to 8 tickets. For groups of 10 or more you will need to book through our Group Sales Department.
- No double discounts. Promotions can’t be combined with other codes, including member discounts.
- All offers follow our Ticket Policies.
Free and Discounted Access
Library Culture Pass
Library cardholders at participating libraries can check out a pass for free tickets.
Student Discount
Current college students get one $25 ticket to any performance, except special events. Call or visit the Box Office to reserve. Show your student ID when you buy your ticket, or when you arrive if you bought by phone.
Military Discount
ASC is proud to welcome military personnel, veterans, and their immediate families to the Blackfriars Playhouse at a discounted price. ASC offers 20% off performance tickets to military personnel and their immediate families. Use the code ISERVE when purchasing tickets online, or call the Box Office and identify yourself as active-duty military personnel or a veteran. Offer is subject to ticket availability.
Playwrights Discount
Dramatists Guild of America members get one free ticket to any ASC performance through Playwrights Welcome. Call the Box Office or visit on the day of the performance to book. Show your membership card at Will Call. The limit is one ticket per member, per production, subject to availability.
Free Tickets for WIC Recipients
Through the Virginia Commission for the Arts’ Passport Program, Virginia recipients of Women, Infants, & Children (WIC) benefits get free admission for up to 4 family members to any ASC performance. Call to book your tickets. Show your WIC card at Will Call. Seating is at the Box Office’s discretion and subject to availability.
Have Questions?
Call the Box Office at 1.877.682.4236 or visit the Box Office to book.
Blackfriars Playhouse Ticket Policies: Your First Visit Guide
Buy Directly from ASC
The American Shakespeare Center (ASC) does not sell tickets through brokers or third-party resellers. The only official online source for tickets to performances at the Blackfriars Playhouse is our website: americanshakespearecenter.com.
When searching for tickets online, please use caution. Third-party websites such as: Tickets-Center, eTickets, Ticketsales, VividSeats, StubHub, and SeatGeek often appear at the top of search results. These are not authorized sellers, and ASC cannot verify or resolve any issues with tickets purchased from these sources.
Buying or attempting to resell tickets above face value is a violation of our ticketing terms and conditions. ASC reserves the right to cancel any tickets identified as part of unauthorized resale. All hard tickets and e-tickets display the original face value. Tickets deemed suspicious may be invalid and will not scan at the door.
Do not duplicate tickets or attempt to sell copies. Transferring tickets to another person may require the original purchaser’s ID.
For a secure ticketing experience, always buy directly from ASC.
Refunds and Exchanges
- No refunds for events less than 30 days away.
- Discounts can’t be applied after an order is placed, so apply them before checkout.
- If you can’t attend, you can exchange for another performance or receive a placeholder good for any show for one calendar year. Contact the Box Office before your original performance begins.
Box Office: tickets@americanshakespearecenter.com | 1.877.MUCH.ADO (1.877.682.4236)
Cancellations and Postponements
If a performance is canceled, we’ll contact you by text (if we have your cell number) and by the email used at purchase. You can then:
- Move to a different performance
- Receive a refund
- Take a placeholder good for one year
- Donate the ticket cost (tax-deductible)
If a performance is postponed, rescheduled, or moved, your tickets remain valid. We’ll email you the new date and time.
Planning Your Arrival
Bringing Children: Age Requirements
- Blackfriars Playhouse performances (year-round): ages 7 and older
- A Christmas Carol: ages 3 and older
- No lap children or infants
Children under the posted age won’t be admitted to that performance. We encourage all parents and guardians to review the content considerations for each show to decide whether it’s age-appropriate for their family. Contact the Box Office with any questions.
Content Advisory
Our productions are usually classic Shakespearean comedies and tragedies, and the text can be bawdy, irreverent, or salacious. ASC stays true to the plays as written. Please review the content considerations listed for each show before you buy tickets, and use your best judgment about whether a show suits your children.
Late Arrivals
We start on time, every time. Late guests are seated at the House Manager’s discretion, in the seat they purchased.
Seat Upgrades
Ask the House Manager on duty about upgrades. Guests who move seats without checking in will be asked to return to their purchased seats.
Severe Weather
Performances go on unless there is a power loss or extremely dangerous conditions. If we can proceed and you can’t travel safely, we’ll issue replacement tickets for another performance, subject to availability. Contact the Box Office at least 24 hours before your performance.
Accessibility
ADA and Companion Seating
Accessible seats are reserved for patrons with disabilities and their companions. Orders that misuse them may be canceled. If you bought accessible seats by mistake, contact the Box Office to switch. A Box Office member may contact you to confirm whether anyone in your party uses a wheelchair or scooter.
In the Theater
Photo and Video Policy
Under our agreement with Actors’ Equity Association, no photos or video are allowed during the performance, the musical pre-show or interlude, or whenever an actor is onstage. House staff will ask you to delete any photos, including from “Recently Deleted.” A second violation means removal without reimbursement.
By entering the Blackfriars Playhouse, you agree that you may be photographed or filmed and that ASC may use the images for marketing.
Food, Drink, and Containers
Virginia ABC law prohibits outside food, beverages, and containers inside the Playhouse, including water bottles and restaurant leftovers. Leave items at the Box Office desk and pick them up after the performance.
No Smoking or Vaping
Smoking and vaping are prohibited anywhere on the property. Violators will be asked to leave without reimbursement.