Summer Peaks Tickets

As the weather heats up, many people flock to the great outdoors to soak up the sun and enjoy the beauty of nature. But for theater lovers, summer is also the perfect time to catch some of the season's most exciting theatrical performances. From outdoor Shakespeare festivals to theater camps and workshops, summer offers a wealth of opportunities to experience the power of live performance in beautiful natural settings.

One popular tradition during the summer months is the American Shakespeare Center’s Blackfriars Playhouse in Staunton, Virginia. This stunning indoor replica of an Elizabethan theater not only offers air-conditioned comfort on hot summer days, but also presents some of the country’s top productions of Shakespeare’s works. Founded in 1988, the American Shakespeare Center puts on around 10 plays a year both at Blackfriars and on tour, dedicated to “recovering the joys and accessibility of Shakespeare’s theater.”

For those who prefer their Shakespeare in an alfresco setting, there are plenty of options across the country. The Oregon Shakespeare Festival, based in Ashland, offers both indoor and outdoor performances throughout the summer, presenting a wide range of classic plays alongside more contemporary works. Their open-air Elizabethan Theater seats over 1,000 spectators, nestled among the trees of Southern Oregon. Meanwhile, the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company in Boston presents free productions of Shakespeare's plays every summer on the Boston Common.

But it's not just about Shakespeare. Summer is also a wonderful time for experimental theater that pushes boundaries and tests audiences’ expectations. One example of this is the New York-based company The Wooster Group, which creates avant-garde productions that re-imagine traditional theatrical conventions. While they perform throughout the year, their summer workshop series in upstate New York provides a space for emerging artists to explore bold new ideas without commercial or critical pressure.

For young theater enthusiasts, summer theater camps and workshops abound across the country. These programs allow kids and teens to hone their skills in acting, singing, dancing, and more, while also providing a fun and supportive environment for them to forge life-long friendships. Some notable examples include Stagedoor Manor in New York’s Catskills region (which has produced such alumni as Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Braff), and Kenyon College’s Drama Studio in Gambier, Ohio (whose faculty includes Tony Award-winning actor Nathan Lane).

Of course, summer is also a great time for theater-goers to indulge in outdoor music festivals, street fairs, and other festivities that provide even more opportunities to discover new voices, share the joy of live performance, and connect with one another. With so many exciting theatrical events happening across the country this summer, there’s never been a better time to take advantage of the season's peak cultural offerings.