What’s On For Shakespeare Theatre Co’s 2026/2027 Season
The 2026/27 season at Shakespeare Theatre Company strikes a balance between bold new voices, beloved classics, and blockbuster talent, pairing Broadway-caliber productions with timeless stories that continue to resonate. From Brian Cox’s only American performance as Johann Sebastian Bach to the return of Romeo and Juliet and a lavish Sondheim finale, the lineup promises another year of powerhouse performances in Penn Quarter.
Leading the season is a marquee event as Golden Globe winner Brian Cox stars in The Score (September 11–October 18) at Harman Hall. Directed by legendary theatre titan Trevor Nunn, the historical drama imagines a tense encounter between composer Johann Sebastian Bach and Prussian ruler Frederick II of Prussia, exploring the uneasy intersection of artistic integrity and political power. The Washington engagement marks Cox’s only American performance in the role.
The season continues with Frida…A Self Portrait (October 8–November 8), an acclaimed one-woman performance written and performed by Vanessa Severo. Blending movement, storytelling, and visual artistry, the production offers an intimate portrait of iconic Mexican artist Frida Kahlo on the eve of her death.
Just in time for the holidays, Artistic Director Simon Godwin brings audiences into an enchanted forest with Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream (December 4–January 10). Featuring imaginative puppetry by acclaimed designer Basil Twist, the production promises a whimsical spectacle filled with fairy mischief, mistaken identities, and magical mayhem.
Winter turns toward one of America’s defining dramas with A Raisin in the Sun (January 23–February 28). Directed by Tim Bond in association with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Lorraine Hansberry’s landmark play follows the Younger family’s pursuit of opportunity, dignity, and the American Dream in 1950s Chicago, a story whose themes remain as compelling today as when it premiered.
Spring ushers in Shakespeare’s ultimate tale of star-crossed romance as Romeo and Juliet returns to Shakespeare Theatre Company’s mainstage for the first time in more than a decade (April 13–May 16). With family feuds, youthful passion, and timeless tragedy, the enduring classic once again takes center stage.
Closing the season: Stephen Sondheim’s Follies (May 18–June 20). Produced in partnership with Signature Theatre and directed by Artistic Director Matthew Gardiner, the sweeping musical arrives with a cast of 32 and a 14-piece orchestra, bringing beloved songs including “Broadway Baby,” “I’m Still Here,” and “Losing My Mind” to Harman Hall in grand style.
Full season subscriptions and 3-, 4-, and 5-Play Packages for STC’s 26/27 Season are available now. Lock in your seats to get exclusive benefits and savings.