The African-American Shakespeare Company two main core programs are the mainstage productions and Arts Education.

The mainstage productions are the centerpiece of our artistic programming and a cornerstone of our organizational mission. Through fully staged, professional productions, we reinterpret classical and contemporary works—through an African-American cultural lens that centers Black narratives, histories, and lived experiences. These productions affirm that classical theater belongs to everyone and that Black artists and audiences are essential to its past, present, and future.

Our mainstage productions employ professional actors, directors, and designers, many of whom are artists of color, providing meaningful employment and leadership opportunities within the field. Productions are presented in accessible venues and intentionally priced to encourage broad community attendance, ensuring cost is not a barrier to experiencing high-quality live theater.

Each mainstage production functions not only as an artistic event but as a community convening space. Audiences include students, families, educators, first-time theatergoers, and long-time supporters. Post-show discussions, talkbacks, and educational connections deepen engagement and invite reflection on themes that resonate with contemporary social, cultural, and intergenerational experiences. But we also gather for a good solid laugh or cry.

Our mainstage work directly informs our education and youth programming, with curriculum and artistic concepts adapted for classroom and community settings. This connection creates a transparent artistic pathway, helping young people see themselves represented onstage and developing futures performers, creators, technicians, cultural leaders, advocates, and donors.

Through these productions, African-American Shakespeare Company preserves and expands the theatrical canon, builds cultural pride, strengthens community connection, and advances artistic excellence grounded in equity, relevance, and accessibility.