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American Shakespeare Center: Will’s World With Outstanding Performances (4 nights)

Program Number: 19279RJ
Start and End Dates:
11/5/2012 - 11/9/2012; 11/4/2013 - 11/8/2013;
Duration: 4 nights
Location: Staunton, Virginia
Price starting at: $613.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Theater; History & Culture
Meals: 10; 4 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners    
Meal Options: Low Fat; Vegetarian; Low Salt    

Casual Shakespeare fans and devotees alike will delight in this unique program, filled with reminders of the rewards we reap from his works time and time again. Gain insight from scholars at the American Shakespeare Center into Shakespeare's history, humanity, language, text and stagecraft. Discuss plays, characters, themes and interpretations with directors, attend three plays under the lights at the splendid Blackfriars Playhouse and experience for yourself why Shakespeare still speaks to us, generation after generation.




Highlights

• See the world's only re-creation of Shakespeare's Blackfriars Playhouse and experience three plays performed by an internationally acclaimed theatre company under Shakespeare's original staging conditions.
• Rediscover Shakespeare and celebrate the timeless power of his language and stagecraft in behind-the-scenes experiences at the Playhouse with scholars and actors.
• Explore the charms of your renovated historic hotel and its revitalized Shenandoah Valley city.



Activity Particulars

Minimal walking and standing on this program.




Date Specific Information

11-5-2012

The performances at the Blackfriars Playhouse for this program will include "King John," "The Merchant of Venice," and "The Two Gentlemen of Verona," all by William Shakespeare.



11-4-2013

Performances at Blackfriars Theater will include "Romeo and Juliet" by William Shakespeare, "She Stoops to Conquer" by Oliver Goldsmith, and "All's Well That Ends Well" by William Shakespeare.



Coordinated by Virginia Commonwealth University.




Staunton

Tucked in the heart of the Shenandoah, Staunton is blessed with natural beauty, a rich cultural heritage and 270 years of history. Five National Historic Districts display outstanding architecture, while the American Shakespeare Center and its re-creation of Shakespeare's original Blackfriars Playhouse showcase the best of the Bard.
Accommodations
Stonewall Jackson Hotel in historic downtown Staunton; indoor heated swimming pool.
Meals and Lodgings
   Stonewall Jackson Hotel
  Staunton, VA 4 nights
 Stonewall Jackson Hotel
Type: Full Service Hotel
  Description: The Stonewall Jackson is a fully remodeled, full-service luxury hotel in the Colonial Revival style hotel, with custom interiors and warm finishes, recognized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as a winner of the Great American Main Street Award. A one-of-a-kind 1924 Wurlitzer organ/piano graces the ballroom. Hotel is located next to the Blackfriars Playhouse and one-half block from Beverley Street, Staunton's main downtown street with restaurants, boutiques and bookstores.
  Contact info: 24 South Market Street
Staunton, VA 24401 USA
phone: 540-885-4848
web: www.stonewalljacksonhotel.com
  Room amenities: High speed internet access, telephones with data port and voice mail, cable TV, coffeepots, hair dryers, iron and ironing boards in all rooms.
  Facility amenities: Hotel has a business center, guest laundry, fitness facility, and indoor pool with a whirlpool, restaurant, lounge and lobby bar.
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: Based on season & availability Based on season and availability
  Check in time: 3:30 PM
  Additional nights after: Based on season & availability Based on season and availability
  Check out time: 11:00 AM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
4:00 pm-5:00 pm check-in and registration You will be staying at Stonewall Jackson Hotel that night.
  End of Program:
Program ends at lunch; room check-out by 12:00 noon You will be staying at Stonewall Jackson Hotel the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required.
  Parking availability:
Parking at $4-$5 per day available in the City Parking lot underneath hotel; enter lot from South New Street; elevators available to hotel lobby.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Staunton, VA
  Nearest city or town:  Harrisonburg, Waynesboro, Stuarts Draft
  Nearest highway: I-81(north-south) and I-64 (east-west), US Rt 11
  Nearest airport:  Weyers Cave
  From End of Program
  Location: Staunton, VA
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

AMTRAK

 

From Train Station

 
 

Service:

 

Public Transportation
Town trolley
phone: fre-e 0-00-0 x-

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Free trolley, operates May to December
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

20-25 minutes depending on trolley route & number of passengers 
 

Distance:

 

3 blocks
   

Train arrives at Staunton Depot. Trolley routes to outskirts of town, then returns to center of town. The 3 blocks from the train depot to Stonewall Jackson Hotel is easily walked.
 

Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport (SHD) to Staunton

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Shuttle to Staunton
phone: 540-234-8304
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$15 at last report
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

1/2 hour 
 

Distance:

 

20-25 miles
   

Email at shdshuttle@flyshd.com. Cost at last report was $15 per trip to Staunton, no matter how many passengers. Cost may increase with gasoline increases. Shenandoah Regional Airport contact is 540-234-8304 or www.slyshd.com
 
Driving Directions
  From the East, from Richmond, Williamsburg, Norfolk, etc. to the Stonewall Jackson Hotel Take I-64 west to I-81 north (64 joins 81 below Staunton). Take the next Exit 222, follow signs for Rt 250 west - Richmond Road - which ends at Business Rt 11. Bear right onto Rt 11 and go under the train tracks, straight ahead at the light (follow the Historical Signs) to Coalter Street. Proceed up Coalter Street and turn left onto Frederick Street (the next street after crossing Beverley). Frederick Street is one-way; at the first traffic light, turn left onto Market Street. Go 1.5 blocks on Market, and the Stonewall Jackson will be on your right-hand side. After you unload luggage, drive to the parking garage which is under the hotel: turn right onto Kalorama, then go down the hill to the entrance of the City Parking Garage, on your right at New Street. The Hotel elevator -- which will take you directly to the Hotel lobby -- is available from all decks of the parking garage.
  From the North or South on I-81, to the Stonewall Jackson Hotel Take I-81 to Exit 222, follow signs for Rt 250 west - Richmond Road - which ends at Business Rt 11. Bear right onto Rt 11 and go under the train tracks, straight ahead at the light (follow the Historical Signs) to Coalter Street. Proceed up Coalter Street and turn left onto Frederick Street (the next street after crossing Beverley). Frederick Street is one-way; at the first traffic light, turn left onto Market Street. Go 1.5 blocks on Market, and the Stonewall Jackson will be on your right-hand side. After you unload luggage, drive to the parking garage which is under the hotel: turn right onto Kalorama, then go down the hill to the entrance of the City Parking Garage, on your right at New Street. The Hotel elevator -- which will take you directly to the Hotel lobby -- is available from all decks of the parking garage.
Elevation Note: No, but this is located in a mountain-valley area, with hilly terrain at some locations
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Arrival/Registration/Dinner/Orientation
(Monday, November 5)
   
 Afternoon: Welcome to the Queen City of Staunton and to your superb accommodations at the full-service Stonewall Jackson Hotel. Register for your room at the hotel lobby desk between 4:00 and 5:00 pm and look for our Road Scholar table in the lobby to register for your program. Please let us know if you will not be arriving until after 5:00 pm.
 Dinner: Dinner in the hotel dining room.
 Evening: Orientation and introductions in our classroom in the hotel.
   
Accommodations: Stonewall Jackson Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Classes/Behind-the-scenes at the Playhouse/Classes
(Tuesday, November 6)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel
 Morning: Shakespeare for pleasure? That's just what this program is! All of his works tell great stories, with multidimensional characters that we can relate to and situations that are still relevant today. You'll find that you won't have any problems at all with the language and you'll understand how Shakespeare's invention of new words and phrases became the basis for modern English. This exciting program includes 3 plays performed at the one-of-a-kind Blackfriars Playhouse--a re-creation of Shakespeare's indoor theater, in-depth study of the plays, language, text, stagecraft and history with directors and other Shakespeare scholars from the American Shakespeare Center. Performance titles will be announced when they become available. There's also time to discover the delightful city of Staunton, its five historic districts and the restaurants, boutiques and bookstores that grace its downtown district. We'll have most meals at the hotel, but one dinner will be at a local restaurant, and you'll have one dinner on your own for which you have a bevy of choices in Staunton's myriad of restaurants. We make every attempt to abide by the schedule presented below, but sometimes instructors' availability requires us to rearrange your classes. Although this rarely happens, the American Shakespeare Center reserves the right to change the scheduled titles, dates and times of plays. Class this morning is an introduction to the program and Shakespeare's bio-history as actor and playwright. Learn about his London years, the companies and theaters he worked for, and their practices, successes and controversies. After class we'll go back-stage at the Blackfriars Playhouse to talk with actors, directors, choreographers and other personnel.
 Lunch: Lunch in the hotel
 Afternoon: Class: Learn about Shakespeare's language and text. You'll also have a little free time to discover the charms of Staunton. Your hotel is located just one short block from Staunton's main street (Beverley) and its shops, boutiques, and restaurants.
 Dinner: Dinner in the hotel
 Evening: Class: Study/discussion of tomorrow morning's play.
   
Accommodations: Stonewall Jackson Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Morning performance at Blackfriars Playhouse/Afternoon class/Dinner on your own/Evening performance at Blackfriars Playhouse
(Wednesday, November 7)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel
 Morning: Attend the first performance at Blackfriars Playhouse.
 Lunch: Lunch in the hotel
 Afternoon: Class: Study and discussion of tonight's play.
 Dinner: Dinner on your own allows you to explore the variety of restaurants in Staunton. You can also purchase dinner at the hotel if you'd rather stay in.
 Evening: We'll attend our second performance at the Blackfriars Playhouse.
   
Accommodations: Stonewall Jackson Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4: Classes/Lunch/Class/Performance at Blackfriars Playhouse
(Thursday, November 8)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel
 Morning: Classes on Renaissance and Shakespeare's stagecraft.
 Lunch: Lunch in the hotel
 Afternoon: Class: Final lecture, discussion of plays (including tonight's play), and the experience as a whole
 Dinner: Dinner in the hotel or at a local restaurant.
 Evening: Attend our third performance at the Blackfriars Playhouse.
   
Accommodations: Stonewall Jackson Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Breakfast and departure
(Friday, November 9)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel. Program ends after breakfast. Hotel check-out by 11:00 am.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast

Free Time Opportunities
  
  Staunton, VA Frontier Culture Museum
The unique Museum of American Frontier Culture displays four different historic farms, moved from their country of origin and reconstructed at the museum site: an English farm from the 1690s; a German farm from 1710; a Scots-Irish farm from the 1730s; and an American farm from the 1850s. This unique collection includes living history, a blacksmith's forge from the 1730s, farm animals, including a percheron team, authentic gardens and period crops and crop-raising methods. From I-81, take Exit 222 to Route 250 West; Museum entrance will be 1/2 mile on the left at Frontier Drive. Open daily except New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day. The museum may also be closed during severe weather conditions. To avoid being disappointed, phone ahead at 540-332-7850. Email: info@fcmv.virginia.gov For additional information, visit www.frontier.virginia.gov
  Gypsy Hill Park
The city established Gypsy Hill Park in 1889 on what had been farmland on the outskirts of the city. The Park's name was drived from gypsies that once camped on the site. The park has a duck pond, swimming pools, an 18-hole golf course and free concerts in its bandstand during the summer months. For additional information, visit www.staunton.va.us
  Walking Tour of Staunton Historic Districts
Staunton (pronounced "Stan-ton"), one of the oldest towns west of the Blue Ridge, boasts 5 districts of more than 70 buildings that are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Pick up a brochure that details each building at the Visitor Center at 35 South New Street or call 800-342-7982 to request a brochure and visitor information about Staunton. You can begin your exploration on foot or on the trolley. For additional information, visit www.staunton.va.us
  Woodrow Wilson Birthplace
The Woodrow Wilson Birthplace, Museum and Research Library is just a few blocks from Frederick House. Its collection includes (but is not limited to) President Wilson's 1919 Pierce Arrow limousine, furnishings and memorabilia from the Wilsons' home, history and presidential information from WWI, prohibition, women's suffrage. Beautiful terraced gardens grace this unusual home, which was a Presbyterian manse where Wilson was born in 1856. Open daily year round, except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. 18-24 North Coalter St, Staunton. Phone: 540-885-0897 or toll-free 888-4WOODROW. Email: woodrow@woodrowwilson.org For additional information, visit www.woodrowwilson.org
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


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