Actors' Theatre returns to Schiller for its summer season
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Actors Ogechi Mgbudem and Devon Mushalko in costume for "Emma," the first Actors' Theatre production of the 2025 summer season. Photo courtesy Kyle Long Photography
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.
- No tickets or charges, but donations are encouraged.