CAUGHT ON TAPE

It was an unprecedented and timely decision. It was March 15, 2020, and the American Shakespeare Center — which operates the fantastic Blackfriars Playhouse in Staunton, VA — had just enough time to digitally capture two of their ensembles performing six shows just before the shutdown due to COVID-19. These thrilling experiences are now available on BLKFRSTV — a tongue-in-cheek reference to the Playhouse, the world’s only re-creation of Shakespeare’s indoor theatre.

Currently released is the celebrated director-less Actors’ Renaissance Season, which can be purchased up until midnight on Sunday May 10 with a week to view it, even if you buy a ticket at the last minute on Sunday. Also catch the National Tour’s Spring Homecoming Season streaming through May 31 (tickets start at just $10 for each play). Now, you can get your theater kick and help out ASC at the same time.

The 2020 Actors’ Renaissance Season:

Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing

Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Part 1

Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Part 2

Beaumont & Fletcher’s A King and No King

Streaming until May 31 – The 2019/20 National Tour Season
The Tour, whose work traveling from Maine to Texas
was canceled in the midst of university closings,
returned home to Staunton earlier this month.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a.k.a., Midsummer 90

Frank Galati’s adaptation of John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath

for more info, visit ASC
photos by Lindsey Walters