Select Saturdays at 11 AM

Dr. Peter Kirwan and Director Raphael Emmanuel at Lights ON Blackfriars for The Winter's Tale 2025. Photos by Madison Patterson.

ILLUMINATING THEATRE. IGNITING DISCUSSION.

Lights ON Blackfriars invites you inside the work—before the performance begins.

Held at the Blackfriars Playhouse, these live, in-person conversations bring together the artists and scholars behind each production to explore the stories, ideas, and creative choices shaping the show you’re about to see.

You’ll hear behind-the-scenes insight, learn more about the play’s themes and staging, and discover what to listen for during the performance.

Select Saturdays | 11:00 AM | Blackfriars Playhouse, Staunton, VA

(Just after the Playhouse Tour—an easy way to build a great theatre morning.)

Whether you’re visiting the American Shakespeare Center for the first time, planning a Saturday outing in Staunton, or looking to deepen your experience of the play, Lights ON Blackfriars offers a welcoming, engaging way to start your day at the theatre.

Upcoming Lights ON Blackfriars Schedule

Lights ON Blackfriars Summer 2026 event graphic featuring Dr. Ralph Alan Cohen speaking onstage and a lineup of select Saturday talks at 11 AM, including Ralph Alan Cohen on As You Like It, Dylan Mabe on stage combat, K.P. Powell on Our Town, and Johnny Williams III on Wilder’s Our Town at ASC and the props team talks Summer 2026 Repertory.

 

Whether you’re a local looking for a meaningful Saturday tradition or a visitor planning a weekend in the Shenandoah Valley, Lights ON Blackfriars takes a closer look at the craft of theatre, the context of the play, and the connections that bring it all to life. Free for Blackfriars Circle members. All other guests may purchase tickets or reserve in advance.

Select Saturdays | 11:00 AM

 

Check back often for additional events and guest speakers throughout the year. 

What Happens at Lights ON Blackfriars

Lights ON Blackfriars is a guided, in-person theatre conversation that explores the craft, context, and connection behind each production at the Blackfriars Playhouse.

At each session, you’ll experience:

Insights from the artists and scholars behind the show, including actors, directors, and designers

Context about the play, including themes, language, and staging choices

Behind-the-scenes stories from the rehearsal room

Audience Q&A and discussion, so you can join the conversation

No prior Shakespeare knowledge is required—just curiosity.

You’ll head into the performance with fresh perspective, a clearer understanding of the work, and a deeper connection to the story and the people bringing it to life.

Pair Lights ON Blackfriars with the Playhouse Tour for a fuller behind-the-scenes look at the theatre and the work onstage.

Director Jemma Alix Levy in a Lights ON Blackfriars discussion of Sense & Sensibility 2025. Photos by Madison Patterson.
Dr. Peter Kirwan and Director Raphael Emanuel in a Lights ON Blackfriars discussion of The Winter’s Tale 2025. Photos by Madison Patterson.
Costume Designer Elizabeth Wislar in a Lights ON Blackfriars discussion September 5, 2025 at the Blackfriars Playhouse in Staunton, Virginia. Photos by Madison Patterson.
Director Stephanie Holladay Earl in a Lights ON Blackfriars discussion. Photos by Madison Patterson.
Director Jemma Alix Levy in a Lights ON Blackfriars discussion of Sense & Sensibility 2025. Photos by Madison Patterson.
Dr. Peter Kirwan and Director Raphael Emanuel in a Lights ON Blackfriars discussion of The Winter’s Tale 2025. Photos by Madison Patterson.
Costume Designer Elizabeth Wislar in a Lights ON Blackfriars discussion September 5, 2025 at the Blackfriars Playhouse in Staunton, Virginia. Photos by Madison Patterson.
Director Stephanie Holladay Earl in a Lights ON Blackfriars discussion. Photos by Madison Patterson.