This summer, American Shakespeare Center returns to its roots to produce a single season with a versatile troupe of actors, capable of performing their repertory on the stage of the Blackfriars Playhouse as well as around the region.
The 2020 SafeStart Season harkens back to the can-do early days of our founding as the Shenandoah Shakespeare Express at the same time as it launches us into our future as dual citizens of the digital and physical worlds, all while keeping the focus on a carefully developed series of protocols designed to keep actors, staff, and audiences safe in the era of coronavirus.
This Summer’s repertory will feature an ensemble of actors performing Shakespeare’s beloved comedy of (mis)identity Twelfth Night alongside his tragedy of jealousy and racism, Othello. We’ve kept the lights on just for you!
ASC SAFESTART at the BLACKFRIARS PLAYHOUSEWe’ve limited the capacity of our Playhouse to fewer than 125 socially distanced seats, but the experience remains as lively and priceless as ever. Our embrace of early-modern theatre approaches and our emphasis on the power of the actor, the word, the hand-made, and the acoustic all contribute to ASC being uniquely suited to safely adapt to the variety of conditions presented by this challenging new time. Join us in the world’s only re-creation of Shakespeare’s indoor stage for two remarkable stories with the assurances of ASC SafeStart including our commitments to: universal masking, contactless ticketing and programs, elimination of concessions, and enhanced hygiene protocols throughout our facilities. READ THE ASC SAFESTART VISITOR’S GUIDE: | WATCH ASC SAFESTART PERFORMANCES ON-DEMAND2 incredible performances; 2 ways to watch! We know that not everyone can join us safely for live performances at the Blackfriars Playhouse, so we are bringing the Playhouse to you. You can watch the ASC SafeStart Season performances of OTHELLO and TWELFTH NIGHT online, on your own time. Via Marquee TV, we present archived versions of our live stream productions — filmed in four-camera, high-definition. Bring the Blackfriars Playhouse to your house in cinema-quality. For just one low ticket price, you receive unlimited access to our nationally acclaimed performances as long as they remain on Marquee TV. Offer ends October 11! |
Details about future online viewing coming soon!
If you’re interested in a virtual booking for your school or performing arts center, click here.
If truth has lost its meaning, how long can love survive? Evil is everywhere in Shakespeare’s great tragedy of racism and jealousy, as the love of Othello and Desdemona is destroyed by envy and fact is twisted by innuendo. You’ll find yourself on the edge of your seat as the deadly machinations unfold. Click 'More Info' to learn more!
Shipwrecked Viola is in love with Orsino...who is in love with Olivia…who is in love with Cesario…who is secretly Viola disguised as a man. In a world turned upside down, what could possibly go wrong (or right?) Shakespeare’s beloved comedy of (mis)identity arrives in a 90-minute, no intermission romp! Click 'More Info' to learn more!