Health & Safety Update
Update: August 17, 2020
In light of recent developments of the global pandemic, Orlando Shakes is making the shift to go virtual for the remainder of the 2020 calendar year! We believe this is the best decision in order to protect the health and safety of the theater’s patrons, artists, and staff.
Despite the change of plans, we’re looking forward to getting creative and bringing the magic of theater to you with several entertaining online offerings.
Tickets for all virtual 2020 events will go on sale September 1!
Signature Series
Poe: Deep Into that Darkness Peering
By Mark Rector and Mark Brown
The virtual performance of Poe: Deep Into That Darkness Peering will be available to stream October 22 – November 1, 2020. This production is sponsored by OUC.
Learn MoreThe Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge
By Mark Brown
The virtual performance of The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge will be available to stream December 10 – 20, 2020. This production is sponsored by AdventHealth and Raymond James.
Learn MoreChildren’s Series
Unfortunately, our production of Charlotte’s Web is postponed until further notice.
Virtual Performing Arts Youth & Teen Classes
Young actors will dive into a world of self expression through the performing arts, while telling stories through a digital medium and learning from theater professionals. Online options for students Age 4 – Grade 12 begin September 19.
Learn MorePlayFest 2020
Through the virtual readings of six plays in development, patrons will experience groundbreaking new works while participating in the creative process by sharing their reactions directly with the playwright and creative team at a post-show talkback. The Basel-Kiene Family joins City Beverages in presenting PlayFest. Additional support provided by Frank Santos & Dan Dantin.
Learn MoreUpdate: May 6, 2020
The Three Musketeers and Henry IV, Part 1
Final performances of both shows occurred March 14 and March 15, 2020. All tickets scheduled for March 18–22, 2020 have been automatically converted to an account credit allowing you to use it for any show in the upcoming 2020-2021 Season. Patrons who wish to turn their tickets to tax deductible donations, may email us at boxoffice@orlandoshakes.org. Account credit will be valid through May 1, 2021.
Bare Bard: Henry IV, Part 2
This event has been rescheduled for February 3-14, 2021.
All previously purchased tickets for the Bare Bard will be automatically converted to an account credit allowing you to use it for this production or any show in the upcoming 2020-2021 Season. Patrons who wish to turn their tickets to tax deductible donations, may email us at boxoffice@orlandoshakes.org.
Patrons wishing to use this store credit for this rescheduled production of Bare Bard: Henry IV, Part 2 may book tickets as early as May 19, 2020. If patrons wish to use this store credit for any other production in the upcoming 2020-2021 Season, they may book tickets on July 7, 2020. Account credit will be valid through May 1, 2021.
UCF Celebrates the Arts Reading of Henry V
The University of Central Florida has cancelled UCF Celebrates the Arts, including our reading of Henry V. Please contact the UCF Box Office at theatre@ucf.edu with questions. Opportunities to earn a Fire and Reign passport stamp for Henry V will be announced at a later date.
My Lord, What a Night
All performances of My Lord, What a Night have been rescheduled for January 20-February 21, 2021.
All previously purchased tickets for the My Lord, What a Night will be automatically converted to an account credit allowing you to use it for this production or any show in the upcoming 2020-2021 Season. Patrons who wish to turn their tickets to tax deductible donations, may email us at boxoffice@orlandoshakes.org.
Patrons wishing to use this store credit for this rescheduled production of My Lord, What a Night may book tickets as early as May 19, 2020. If patrons wish to use this store credit for any other production in the upcoming 2020-2021 Season, they may book tickets on July 7, 2020. Account credit will be valid through May 1, 2021.
Interstellar Cinderella
All performances of Interstellar Cinderella have been rescheduled for April 8-May 14, 2021.
All previously purchased tickets for Interstellar Cinderella have been automatically converted to an account credit allowing you to use it for this production or any show in the upcoming 2020-2021 Season. Patrons who wish to turn their tickets to tax deductible donations, may email us at boxoffice@orlandoshakes.org.
Patrons may begin using their account credit to book 2020-2021 Children’s Series subscriptions on May 12, 2020 and to book individual tickets on July 7, 2020. Account credit will be valid through May 1, 2021.
Update: Thursday, March 19, 2020
We at Orlando Shakes have made the difficult but necessary decision to close our building until further notice. Although our building is closed, our staff is still hard at work from their homes. This unfortunate global health crisis will have very real financial consequences for theaters and theater artists. Nationwide, thousands of theater professionals’ jobs and healthcare are at stake. This includes us, your theater right here at home, Orlando Shakes.
Any donation you can give supports Orlando Shakes during these uncertain times. We need your support now more than ever. Please give today.
Donate NowA Message from Artistic Director Jim Helsinger
Update: Friday, March 13, 2020
Dear Patrons,
At Orlando Shakes, we are continuing performances through Sunday, March 15. After that, we have made the difficult but necessary decision to suspend all performances for the next two weeks, March 16 – March 31. Changes to scheduling of each of our upcoming events are outlined below. Ticket holders have the option to exchange their tickets for a performance of the same show, transfer their tickets to credit towards a future production, or donate their tickets as a tax deductible contribution.
The theater has always shined brightest during our darkest times. Due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, dark days have returned, but in spite of this short closure we intend to re-open with renewed vigor and passion. What is important now is to flatten the curve and lessen the impact of this outbreak. “The better part of valour is discretion,” proclaims Falstaff in Henry IV, Part 1. At this time, our best course is to follow the path of discretion before continuing on with our performances. Our highest priority is the health and safety of our guests, artists, staff, and volunteers.
This unfortunate global health crisis will have very real financial consequences for theaters and theatre artists. Nationwide, thousands of theater professionals’ jobs and healthcare are at stake. Transferring your ticket to a donation or account credit supports Orlando Shakes during these uncertain times and we appreciate your consideration.
We expect call volume to be high, so we thank you in advance for your patience and encourage you to email the Box Office with any questions at boxoffice@orlandoshakes.org to receive the quickest possible response.
We realize that many of you are looking forward to enjoying our great productions and we look forward to welcoming you back. Stay tuned as we continue our journey through Shakespeare’s Fire and Reign series that you have so warmly embraced. Our highest priority is our theater family and that family includes you!
Jim Helsinger
Artistic Director
Douglas Love-Ramos
Managing Director
From the Desk of the Managing Director
Dear Patrons:
The safety and well-being of our patrons, staff, and artists is always of utmost importance. Although the threat of contracting the COVID-19 virus is currently low in Orlando, we are increasing the frequency of disinfecting all high touch areas in our theaters and building. All handrails in the lobby and theaters are being disinfected daily, gojo hand wash is available in all our bathrooms, along with sinks and paper towels, and we have added hand sanitizing dispensers at the Box Office and elsewhere in our public areas. We encourage our audience, artists, and employees to follow the CDC hygiene practices regarding hand washing, covering sneezes and coughs, and other common sense precautions.
If you are not feeling well or experiencing flu-like symptoms, we encourage you to stay home and contact the Box Office to reschedule your tickets. Through the end of this season, we’re waiving our exchange fees and will work with you to find a suitable alternative in available seating within our 31st season productions. Exchanges must be completed 24 hours prior to the performance.
Please reach out to the Box Office at boxoffice@orlandoshakes.org or 407-447-1700 ext. 1 or consult our website for our most updated information.
We appreciate your continued support and can’t wait to share our productions with you.
Douglas Love-Ramos
Managing Director
[…] Orlando Shakes had decided to suspend all performances March 16 – March 31. This affects: The Three Musketeers and Henry IV, Part 1 – Final performances of both shows will occur March 14-15. Bare Bard: Henry IV, Part 2 – This event has been temporarily postponed. My Lord, What a Night – Opening is postponed for two weeks until April 3, with previews on April 1-2. […]
Perhaps no actor or staff member can understand how much the Shakespeare Theater Wednesday matinees brighten our lives. We were present at many
Broadway dramas; they were wonderful, and in the Shakes we are simply
continuing our New York experience.
Thanks George! We look forward to having you back soon.
I would like more information on how the theater is planning to protect patrons in the upcoming season. The schedule sounds great but I’m worried about such close proximity to other theater goers.
Orlando Shakes will be exploring new measures, including social distancing, hand sanitation stations, masks, gloves, and thermal temperature devices, in its evolving plans as we reopen with a delayed start of October 2020. Patrons will also be assured that each theater seat is sanitized before every performance and all touch-points and high traffic areas (railings, door handles, counters, and bathrooms) will be thoroughly sanitized multiple times each day. More specific information will be released in conjunction with any local, county, state and federal guidelines and updated in each performance reminder that comes to ticket holders and subscribers prior to their attendance.
I would definitely feel more secure if all the arts venues would require all audience members to wear masks. This is the easiest and most sensible way we can protect ourselves when we go out, particularly in theatre settings.
Is there a plan to space patron in seats? How would that work?
Looking forward to a new “safe” normal in the future. Thank you
Hi Eileen, we will continue to follow CDC and Local Government guidelines as we plan our reopening. Masks will most certainly be a part of that plan as we aim to ensure a safe and clean space for the return of our patrons. We appreciate your input.