About

Michael Harris as Bottom, and Elizabeth Keith as Titania, in SOT’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream 2017

Founded in 2015, Shakespeare Opera Theatre is a professional performing arts company presenting classical theatre with classical music. We’ve been described as “classical mash-up,” and we think that fits us superbly!

We are principally located in McLean, Virginia at St. Thomas Episcopal Church Church, and proud to perform secondarily at historic and beautiful Grace Episcopal Church in The Plains, Virginia.

2025 Marks Our Magical 10th Anniversary Season!

April 4-12, 2025 Drowning Ophelia – A modern dark comedy with music featuring Shakespeare’s Ophelia (Hamlet)

In support of Domestic Abuse Awareness Month.

After each First Weekend Performance: Meet the Playwright, Rachel Luann Strayer

Other performances will feature talkbacks and Q&A with local mental health specialists.

July 11-20, 2025 Roméo et Juliette Shakespeare + Gounod
In English and French (with Supertitles)

First Weekend in McLean, VA

Monday July 14th in McLean – Celebrate Bastille Day with an included glass of sparkline wine or non-alcoholic sparkling cider!

Second Weekend in The Plains, VA

Fridays are ‘Pay What You Will’ (Will Shakespeare, that is!)

Check the dropdown menu for special deals and other special events.

Past Seasons

2015/16 Much Ado About Nothing + Berlioz’s Opera “Beatrice et Benedict”
2016/17 The Merry Wives of Windsor + Verdi’s Falstaff
2017/18 A Midsummer Night’s Dream + Incidental music by Mendelssohn
2018/19 Amahl and the Night Visitors
Romeo and Juliet + Berlioz’s Symphony
Elizabethan Entertainments
(Improv Show)
Vive la France! (Variety Show)
2019/20 Amahl and the Night Visitors
Hamlet + Thomas’ Opera
2020/21 *Dark because of COVID-19
2021/22 Amahl and the Night Visitors
2022/23 July 2022 – Othello + Verdi’s Opera (in English)
December 2022 – Amahl and the Night Visitors
July 2023 – Much Ado About Nothing + Berlioz’s Opera “Beatrice et Benedict”
December 2023 – Hansel & Gretel
2023/24 May 2024 – An Evening to Remember: Concert and Picnic
July 2024 – Macbeth (Shakespeare/Verdi)
December 2024 – La Vie de Bohème (Puccini/Murger)

2025 marks Shakespeare Opera Theatre’s 10th season, and we are excited to continue on in our mission to provide acclaimed, accessible and intimate performances of classic works to audiences in the DMV and beyond. SOT specializes in presenting emerging and seasoned professional artists from all over the world who are vital to the high quality productions our audiences have come to expect. We are also proud to offer opportunities to learn about performing and working in all areas of production to exceptional high school and college students.

Ticket sales, as with most nonprofit performing arts companies, do not begin to meet all of our expenses, and we depend on partnerships with businesses and individuals to help us bridge the budgetary gap. You can donate by cash, check or credit card at our front desk at any performance, by mailing a check, by emailing us, or by clicking on the green donate button at the top of the page.

Like and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X, and share our posts and events, join our mailing list, and share our newsletters and other communiques. Most importantly, share your good word of mouth, which is our best advertisement. In helping boost our visibility and showing you care about classical performing arts for all, you become an integral part of our mission. Please help us make a difference in our world by bringing people of all ages and backgrounds together to explore and enjoy the wonders of classical performing arts.

Thank you for sustaining us through ten magical seasons—with your support, we look forward to many more!

Dr. Lori Lind | Artistic & Managing Director
Dr. Lisa Bloy | Associate Artistic Director
Andrew Kraus | Assistant Artistic Director

Lauren Armstrong, Gene Allen | Executive Producers
Tammy Rogers, Terri Whittacre, Rick Knight, Wade Smith | Associate Producers