Thank you for lighting the way. As the American Shakespeare Center, we share light, ideas, joy, and community. Various images show students and patrons engaged in ASC educational programs and enjoying live performances. The quote reads, 'The ASC and Ralph Alan Cohen have spent years inspiring me, and now I get to inspire the next generation of future Shakespeare lovers through the Student matinees.

 

On behalf of our board and staff

We’d like to share our Fiscal Year 2024 Donor Impact Report, covering our work from October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024. We think—and hope you will too—that this report reflects the impact of our renewed and expanded efforts to increase accessibility, engage our communities, and recover the joys of Shakespeare.

As you explore this report, you’ll find stories, photos, and statistics that showcase the past year’s accomplishments. From powerful performances on stage and hands-on educational programs to an array of community events, we are committed to connecting people to live theater and through live theater to one another.

Of course, none of this would be possible without our dedicated team of artists, educators, staff, volunteers, and board members, all of whom pour their passion into the American Shakespeare Center.

Donors like you make everything we do possible. Your donation allows us to provide a vibrant season of productions, educational opportunities, and enriching experiences year-round. But it contributes more than that. It gives us the gift of knowing our work is meaningful to you. That knowledge both fuels and inspires us in our work. It gives us the precious sense of collaboration with friends far beyond the Blackfriars.
Shakespeare famously wrote that “All the world’s a stage,” but the reverse is true as well: the stage can be all the world. It is, as Oscar Wilde wrote, “the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being.”

So thank you for your continued trust and belief in the work we do. We are excited for what lies ahead and look forward to your ongoing support as we enter another season at the American Shakespeare Center of sharing light, imagination, and humanity.

We hope to see you at the Blackfriars Playhouse,

Vanessa Morosco, Executive Director of the American Shakespeare Center, and Ralph Cohen, founding Executive Director, stand in front of a library filled with books, including works by William Shakespeare.

Dr. Ralph Alan Cohen
Founding Executive Director
Vanessa Morosco
Executive Director

Support Live Theatre – Make Your Impact

 

Together we create a lasting impact. Icons represent key statistics: 3 new education programs, 19,704 first-time visitors, 700 students in workshops, $15,000 in student aid, $8,000 raised for musicians, 305 live performances, $14,000 in camp scholarships, 177 patrons engaged with Culture Pass, Virginia patron base expanded by 45.1%, and 7,667 students hosted for matinees

Artistic impACT & INNOVATION

 

The 2024 ASC Repertory Cast performs live music in period costumes on the Blackfriars Playhouse stage before a performance of The Merry Wives of Windsor.

Your support is not only a donation; it’s a catalyst for change that resonates throughout our community. As one of the few professional theaters producing shows in repertory, we thrive on the energy of multiple productions running simultaneously, each one a vibrant thread in the rich tapestry of our artistic year.

Collaborating with talented directors, designers, and actors, we not only enhance our community but create meaningful connections that uplift careers. Your involvement allows us to shine our lights brighter than ever, bringing Shakespeare’s timeless works to life.

 

Bring Shakespeare to Life – Give Today

 

Fostering Creativity for All Ages

ASC campers sit on gallant stools on the stage of the Blackfriars Playhouse in Staunton, Virginia, gazing off-camera in awe, capturing a moment of immersive theatrical engagement.

Your generosity transforms lives by enabling people of all ages to experience the profound impact of arts education. This year marked a significant expansion of our offerings: we launched an ASC Book Club for Adults with Staunton Public Library, introduced a new Drama Club session for ages 14-18, and added new No Kidding Drama Programs for adults.

We are also excited to announce a second ASC Theatre Camp session slated for Summer 2025, ensuring even more young people can discover the magic of theatre education and performance.

Thanks to your valuable patronage, ASC was able to fulfill 100% of student matinee financial aid requests, welcoming over 7,600 students to the Blackfriars—a remarkable increase of more than 3,000 students compared to 2022.

 

“For me, it was transformative in the best sense. I found my voice and a community of people with whom I greatly enjoyed sharing it. One of my best weeks ever!” – No Kidding Shakespeare Camper

Creating Opportunities for all

Ginna Hoben and Jenny Bennett engage with the audience during The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] (again) at the Blackfriars Playhouse. They wave their arms energetically as the audience waves back, creating an interactive and lively atmosphere.

Every seat filled represents a story shared, a connection made, and a community brought closer together through live theater. We launched our Culture Pass program at 11 libraries across the region, offering free access to ASC productions for 177 (and counting!) residents of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Additionally, your contributions help subsidize Pay-What-You-Will performances, Local Rush nights, and discounts for veterans. This commitment ensures that ticket prices do not hinder meaningful artistic experiences.

Your generosity also made American Sign Language Interpretation a reality, allowing students from the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind to engage with the powerful themes of Julius Caesar.

 

Be Part of the Magic – Donate Now