2025 Summer Repertory - King John/Taming of the Shrew at Shakespeare Theatre Company

The Shakespeare Theatre Company Academy is a Master of Fine Arts program that trains actors to work with classical language and embody mythic storytelling. This is classical work in its purest form: energetic and lean, with a focus on actors, language, and story.

After completing a one-year intensive program of coursework spanning classical text study, stage combat, and more, the Class of 2025 performs two plays in repertory as the culmination of their training: The Taming of the Shrew, Or, Petruchio is Kated and King John.

Tickets are $20 for the general public.

The Taming of the Shrew Or, Petruchio is Kated

Directed by Shanara Gabrielle By William Shakespeare In this sharp-tongued Shakespeare classic, the tables are turned and the taming gets tangled. Petruchio may arrive ready to dominate, but Kate’s no easy prey—and might just be holding the reins all along. Meanwhile, Lucentia poses as a tutor and schemes to woo the radiant Bianca with help from her quick-witted servant Trania, who’s playing Lucenti-o in public and pulling strings in secret. Gender bends. Power flips. Love gets messy. Nothing is what it first appears.

Performance Dates JUL 16 at 7:30pm JUL 18 at 7:30pm JUL 20 at 7:30pm JUL 22 at 7:30pm JUL 24 at 7:30pm JUL 26 at 2pm

King John

Directed by Aaron Posner By William Shakespeare

Power is a tenuous thing in King John, Shakespeare’s fierce, fast-moving tale of political gamesmanship, shifting loyalties, and fragile legitimacy. As England’s rivals jostle for the crown, John claws to keep control—facing off against rebellious nobles, a bold French king, and even his own nephew’s claim. Deals are struck, oaths are broken, and war looms large, but in the end, it’s not just armies or titles that decide who holds power—it’s who survives the fallout. A rarely staged gem packed with powerful language and sky-high stakes.

Performance Dates JUL 17 at 7:30pm JUL 19 at 7:30pm JUL 20 at 2pm JUL 23 at 7:30pm JUL 25 at 7:30pm JUL 26 at 7:30pm