22-05-2025
Actors' Theatre returns to Schiller for its summer season
Summer may technically be a month away, but one of the truest signs of the season begins this week as Actors' Theatre of Columbus returns to Schiller Park.
Why it matters: The organization represents a critical piece of the Columbus humanities scene as art funds are cut and the wider theater scene faces mounting challenges.
What they're saying: "Actors' Theatre is where world class theater meets community for free," managing director Norah Goldman tells Axios. "Our focus highlights quality, community and accessibility."
By the numbers: Each year, more than 10,000 people flock to German Village to watch live, outdoor theater in the park on blankets and lawn chairs.
Around 150 local performers auditioned for this summer's roles, a group that Goldman says represents "a blend of expertise and emerging talent."
Although donations are encouraged — and key to the troupe's survival — performances are still unticketed and open to all.
"The idea is to remove as many barriers as possible," Goldman says.
The intrigue: Actors' Theatre plans four productions this season.
" Emma," a "fresh, wildly funny" adaptation of the Jane Austen novel, runs May 22-June 15.
Shakespeare's classic " A Midsummer Night's Dream" runs June 19-July 13.
An adaptation of the western novel " Shane" runs July 17-Aug. 10.
" She Kills Monsters," an off-off-Broadway dramedy about a young adventurer, runs Aug. 14-31.
Between the lines: That lineup is curated for variety, relevance and diversity of storytelling, Goldman says — with the "one uniting theme" of a Shakespeare show every season.
"We have historically significant theater that is adaptable. We look at classic interpretations of plays and figure out ways to put that in modern day."
Behind the scenes: Actors' Theatre drives a variety of community art initiatives off the stage.
The Globe School, its educational wing, organizes acting camps, acting classes, school outreach programs, internships for young theater professionals and other volunteering projects.
"Probably the most core pillar of our work outside of our season is our educational outreach," Goldman says.
Flashback: The Actors' Theatre story began in 1982 with a single performance of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" on a basic concrete stage, with the show's success kicking off more than 40 years of performances in the park.
In 1995, Schiller constructed a permanent stage on the site where the troupe performs today.
The group performed its 100th play in Schiller in 2016.
This year marks the first performance of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" since 2018.
🎭 If you go: Performances are at 8pm Thursday-Sunday at Schiller Park's amphitheater stage, 1000 City Park Ave.
