August Action at the Actors' Theatre

More summer sketch comedy, storytelling, and world-class classes coming your way. Plus a special show in early September!

Shows to See

Summer tends to be a bit quiet at our little venue, but there are definitely some performances you won't want to miss!

August 8 & 9

If you missed the sold-out Dangerous Neighbors' sketch comedy show in June, you've got another chance to see it! Returning for one weekend only on August 8 and 9, "Deflating Fascism" offers writer Bill Burman's irreverent and satirical take on culture, current issues, and the absurdities of modern life. Everything from cell-phone driven family life, to marriage counseling with emotional surrogate puppets, to January 6 apologists is fair game for Burman and his talented cast. Join them in countering the current social and political chaos with a fierce ambivalence and fired-up funny bone. Because we might as well laugh about it... Featuring Neighbors regulars Bill Burman, Suzanne Schrag and Bob Vickers, along with new neighbors Ann McCormick Vickers and Jonathan Carter Schall, with live music provided by Bob Vickers, Mark Becker and Doris Welch. Get tickets HERE.

August 23 & 24

Then, join NextStage Productions, for Storytelling 2025, on Saturday and Sunday, August 23 and 24. In the style of PBS Moth Radio Hour, the performers share true tales of how someone can change how we see the world, or how we have been influential in the lives of others. Directed by Brad Roades, this years Storytelling offering features two different casts, so come enjoy both shows! Show time is 7 pm. Suggested donation: $15. Tickets available HERE.

September 5 & 6

We're also very pleased to announce a co-production with another outstanding performer when Dan Hoyle brings his solo show Takes All Kinds: Stories of American Democracy to Actors' Theatre. This funny and essential new piece of Journalistic Theater, researched, written and performed by Dan, will change the way you see the country. Based on immersive reporting from school board showdowns in Florida, grassroots organizers in Atlanta, barbershops in Las Vegas, deprogrammers of violent extremists in Missouri, and many others in the trenches of Democracy, Takes All Kinds channels powerful, funny and complex people caught in the social and political currents roiling our society. And in tender portraits of everyday Americans turned unlikely changemakers, it offers hope and ways forward in these

tumultuous times. Dan Hoyle's work has been hailed as "riveting, funny and poignant" by the New York Times. Directed by Aldo Billingslea, and coming for two shows only on Friday and Saturday, September 5 and 6. Show time is 7:30 pm. Get tickets HERE.

Workshops to Attend

Directing with Bill Peters

Sundays, Aug 3, 10, 17, 31, Sept 7, 11 am to 2 pm

Mondays Aug 18, 25, Sept 1 from 6:30 to 9:30 pm

The incredible Bill Peters, director of our spring Shakespeare Gala fundraiser, is offering a directing workshop for directors, actors, playwrights, and theater-goers focused on awakening the directorial instincts of the participants by looking at very small things. The skills and sensibilities involved in directing are the ones that also distinguish good acting and playwriting. In the world’s great acting ensembles, both actors and directors work in harmony to provoke and explore acting moments, feeding off each other’s theatrical imaginations. And the writers that we are transformed by are the ones who understand that the language of the theatre is not exclusively verbal. 

Exercises will address story-building, character development, and the exploration of spatial relationships. Special attention will be given to the use of movement, rhythm, and space, and in locating and rendering the dramatic details of a text. The workshop will also open up opportunities for experiencing alternative methods of analyzing and rehearsing a play Cost: $160. Maximum of 14 participants. Sign up on our Workshops page.

Collaborative Directing with Cathy D. Warner and Greg Fritsch

Tuesday, Sept 16 & Thursday, Sept 18, 6:30 to 9:30 pm

This new offering is designed for directors and actors who are interested in a hands-on approach to growing their understanding and skills of the art of collaboration. You may participate as an actor, a director or an actor/director. The group will explore what it means to co-direct, and the unique opportunities presented by a collaborative approach. While directors can learn a great deal by watching performances (the culminating result of another’s work), they rarely have the opportunity to grow the actual skills used during the rehearsal process except by what they glean from “research” and their own experiences experimenting with what seems to work or not to work with actors in rehearsal.

This workshop will provide a learning opportunity for directors and actors to grow this layer of their craft through reflecting about and sharing how they approach directing, experimenting with co-directing, and observing the rehearsal process of other directors and co-directors. Cost: $50 (All proceeds benefit Actors' Theatre and the Young Directors Endowment Fund to support and encourage new directors.) Maximum of 24 participants.  Sign up on our Workshops page.