Disguise, Desire, & Deduction take center stage this spring at the Blackfriars Playhouse in Staunton, VA—and in 2026, we’re celebrating 25 years of stories shared at the Blackfriars Playhouse.
This Spring, our stage turns toward a season of mistaken identities, daring romance, and legendary mysteries. Join us and step into the shared light for Twelfth Night, The Hound of the Baskervilles, and Bold Stroke for a Husband—and make a day of it with Shakespeare Saturdays.
Want a sneak peek?
Watch the Spring 2026 Season Trailer and step into a season made for shared light.
Visit the Blackfriars Playhouse Calendar
What’s On Stage This Spring
Twelfth Night 2026
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Nana Dakin
Shipwrecked and disguised, Viola stumbles into a love triangle that spirals out of control. Add wild parties, forged letters, and yellow stockings, and Twelfth Night becomes Shakespeare’s most mischievous comedy of mistaken identity.
- Performance Run: February 19 – May 3, 2026
- Pay-What-You-Will Preview: Thursday, February 19 at 7:30 PM
- Opening Night: Friday, February 20 at 7:30 PM
The Hound of the Baskervilles 2026
By Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Adapted by Steven Canny and John Nicholson
Directed by Brian Isaac Phillips
Sherlock Holmes’ most chilling mystery gets a gloriously funny twist. In this madcap comedy, The Hound of the Baskervilles unleashes slapstick surprises, rapid-fire quick changes, and theatrical chaos that will leave you howling with laughter.
- Performance Run: February 26 – May 17, 2026
- Pay-What-You-Will Preview: Thursday, February 26 at 7:30 PM
- Opening Night: Friday, February 27 at 7:30 PM
A Bold Stroke for a Husband 2026
By Hannah Cowley | Adaptation provided by Expand the Canon
Directed by Emily Lyon
A cheating husband. A clever wife. A scandal rewritten. Hannah Cowley’s A Bold Stroke for a Husband lights up Madrid with secrets, social satire, and a woman in disguise who’s three steps ahead. This rediscovered comedy comes to the ASC through Expand the Canon, an initiative uncovering and uplifting overlooked classic plays by women.
- Performance Run: April 9 – May 2, 2026
- Pay-What-You-Will Preview: Thursday, April 9 at 7:30 PM
- Opening Night: Friday, April 10 at 7:30 PM
Make It a Shakespeare Saturday in Staunton
Shakespeare Saturdays at the Blackfriars Playhouse transform a trip to the theatre into a full-day experience—featuring backstage tours, artist and scholar conversations, and unforgettable performances, all under shared light in our 25th anniversary Playhouse.
Start with a Playhouse Tour at 10 AM, go deeper with Lights On Blackfriars at 11 AM, stay for the matinee (or make it a double feature), and on select dates, add Shakespeare Uncorked for the perfect evening cap.
Shakespeare Saturday Experiences
Playhouse Tours
Step behind the scenes and take a walk through time with a guided tour of our beloved Blackfriars Playhouse—the first-ever re-creation of Shakespeare’s indoor theatre—now celebrating its 25th anniversary.
Blackfriars Playhouse Tour Times:
- Wed. Thu., Fri – 2:00 PM
- Sat. – 10:00 AM
Lights ON Blackfriars
Now on Saturdays, the Lights on Blackfriars get an inside look at Shakespeare and Theatre making.
Select Saturdays | 11 AM – Noon | Blackfriars Playhouse
Join Shakespeare scholars, theatre industry experts, and the artists who bring ASC’s productions to life for in-depth discussions before performances. These events provide deeper context on productions, performance techniques, and literary themes, making them perfect for theatre lovers, educators, and curious minds.
Check out the Lights ON Blackfriars ScheduleShakespeare Uncorked
Select Saturdays | Pre-show Event 6:30 PM | Blackfriars Playhouse
Elevate your theatre experience with Shakespeare Uncorked, a pre-show wine and beer-tasting event at the American Shakespeare Center’s Blackfriars Playhouse. In partnership with Virginia’s top wineries and breweries, we bring you a premium tasting experience before select performances at the world-renowned Blackfriars Playhouse.
Explore the Shakespeare Uncorked OfferingsShakespeare Saturdays Event Lineup
The Box Office now opens on Saturdays at 10 AM for walk up tickets, gift shop perusing, and more!
Saturday, February 21st
- Playhouse Tour – 10:00 AM
- Lights ON Blackfriars with Spring Assistant Director, Cait Redman – 11:00 AM
Saturday, February 28th
- Playhouse Tour – 10:00 AM
- Lights ON Blackfriars with Dr. Ralph Alan Cohen on Twelfth Night – 11:00 AM
Saturday, March 7th
Saturday, March 14th
Saturday, March 21st
Saturday, March 28th
- Shakespeare Uncorked – 6:30 PM (Must be 21 years of age or older)
Saturday, April 4th
Saturday, April 11th
Saturday, April 18th
- Shakespeare Uncorked – 6:30 PM (Must be 21 years of age or older)
Saturday, April 25th
- Shakespeare Uncorked – 6:30 PM (Must be 21 years of age or older)
Saturday, May 2nd
- Playhouse Tour – 10:00 AM
- Lights ON Blackfriars with Twelfth Night Dramaturg, Siena Maxwell – 11:00 AM
Saturday, May 9th
Saturday, May 16th
- Playhouse Tour – 10:00 AM
- Lights ON Blackfriars with Dr. Ralph Alan Cohen on Building the Playhouse – 11:00 AM
VOLUNTEER USHER Training
Next Usher Orientation: March 14th -10AM
Since the Blackfriars Playhouse opened in 2001, the Volunteer Usher Guild has welcomed over a quarter of a million guests through its doors.
Anyone over the age of 16 can volunteer to usher at the ASC. Perks of being an ASC Volunteer Usher include: complimentary tickets, special invitations, and discounts on purchases at the Blackfriars Playhouse gift shop.
Sign up today for the Next Usher Training March 14th
Bards & Bites Boxes
Add a delicious touch to your Sunday at the Blackfriars Playhouse with the Bard & Bites Box! Enjoy local charcuterie, cheeses, fruits, and sweets from North Ridge Café. Available for pre-sale at $17—reserve by Friday before the show. Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options available.
- March 8th – Pair it with Twelfth Night
- March 22nd – Pair it with Twelfth Night
- March 29th – Pair it with The Hound of The Baskervilles
- April 12th – Pair it with Bold Stroke For A Husband
- April 19th – Pair it with The Hound Of The Baskervilles
- April 26th – Pair it with Bold Stroke For A Husband
- June 14th – Pair it with As You Like It
- July 12th – Pair it with Our Town
- July 26th – Pair it with Our Town
- Aug 2nd – Pair it with As You Like It
Planning a Group Outing?
(Greg Brostrom in LOVE’S LABOUR’S LOST. Photo by Lindsey Walters.)
Groups of 10 or more—book clubs, girls’ night out, summer camps, or social groups
Contact groupsales@americanshakespearecenter.com for personalized support and discounted group rates.
Discover the Spring 2026 Season on our Calendar Today