Flagstaff Shakespeare to present two Lauren M. Gunderson plays in their fall repertory: THE TAMING and A ROOM IN THE CASTLE

 

FLAGSHAKES TO PRESENT TWO LAUREN M. GUNDERSON PLAYS IN THEIR 2026 FALL REPERTORY: "THE TAMING" AND "A ROOM IN THE CASTLE"

Three actors. Two Plays. One Room.

Captivating, timely, and hilarious, THE TAMING and A ROOM IN THE CASTLE, both by the prolific Lauren Gunderson and directed by FlagShakes Artistic Director Amie Bjorklund, reimagine the women of Shakespeare offering powerful perspectives on their lives.

FlagShakes is proud to offer this unique opportunity for the community - two Lauren Gunderson productions presented in repertory!

With funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, THE TAMING will also feature an educational display created by local scholars and artists related to the US Constitution, and feature additional community engagement activities such as post-show talkbacks after select performances.

THE TAMING - “Loosely based on William Shakespeare’s THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, this witty, three-woman comedy invites audiences to laugh, listen, and recognize themselves in the chaos of democracy.”

A beauty pageant becomes an unlikely crossroads of ambition, ideology, and identity. Amid the glitter and spectacle, Katherine isn’t just competing for a crown, she's rewriting history. Smart, driven, and unapologetically bold, she dreams of reshaping American politics as fiercely as she chases the spotlight.

By forcing two political opponents into the same room, a tightly wound aide to a powerful conservative senator and an idealistic liberal blogger, each is forced to confront what they believe, what they fear, and who they might become.

A ROOM IN THE CASTLE - “A ROOM IN THE CASTLE reframes the women of Hamlet into a bold, heartbreaking, and unexpectedly funny drama filled with resilience and hope.”

Set entirely within Ophelia’s chamber, A ROOM IN THE CASTLE asks a pressing question: how does a woman endure the treacherous court of Denmark? Here, Ophelia, her loyal handmaid, and Queen Gertrude face the fallout of a volatile prince’s behavior and begin to grasp just how perilous life in the castle has become.

With sharp wit, piercing emotion, and music woven throughout, this modern-language play unfolds as a gripping, universal thriller—one that examines how women support one another through moments of crisis, what it means to mother a son slipping toward madness, and how generations bear responsibility for each other.

Performance Details:

THE TAMING: September 17 - October 4, 2026

A ROOM IN THE CASTLE: September 18 - October 3, 2026

Location: 11 S Beaver St #2, Flagstaff, AZ 86001

Tickets & More Information: Available online at flagshakes.org

Pay-What-You-Wish tickets available for each performance!

Flagstaff Shakespeare to present EVERY BRILLIANT THING, May 29-31

FlagShakes presents the Broadway sensation, critically-acclaimed play “Every Brilliant Thing”

Come be part of “Every Brilliant Thing,” the internationally acclaimed, one-person play by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe. Performed in an intimate Flagstaff theatre setting, this interactive production invites you to become part of the story—because sometimes the most brilliant things in life are shared together.

“Every Brilliant Thing” explores themes of depression, hope, and resilience through the eyes of a child who begins making a list of everything worth living for: ice cream, roller coasters, laughing so hard you snort. As the list grows, so does a powerful story about love, survival, and finding light in the darkest places.

The performer will connect directly with the audience, creating a deeply personal and unforgettable experience. No two performances are the same—because you are part of the story.

Directed by Matthew Windham. Starring AJ Flores.

Performance Details:

Dates & Times:

Friday, May 29, 2026 @ 7pm

Saturday, May 30, 2026 @ 2pm

Saturday, May 30, 2026 @ 7pm

Sunday, May 31, 2026 @ 2pm

Location: Beaver Street Theatre, 11 S. Beaver St. #2, Flagstaff, AZ 86001

Tickets & More Information: Available online at flagshakes.org

All performances will be Pay What You Wish. Reserving tickets in advance is highly recommended!

When patrons purchase their tickets online, they will see the $0 Pay What You Wish option. Patrons will select the number of tickets needed, and—if they’re able—they can add an additional donation with the ticket purchase at checkout. Patrons are also welcome to bring a check or cash to the theatre.

The generosity of patrons who are able to donate buys more than just a ticket. It holds the door open for someone else.

Sponsored by the Art Flores Memorial Foundation.

EVERY BRILLIANT THING is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Dramatists Play Service. www.concordtheatricals.com

Flagstaff Shakespeare presents "Shakespeare's Sirens" on February 28

FlagShakes Presents “Shakespeare’s Sirens” by Hannah Johnson, performed at La Posada

ONE NIGHT ONLY - Saturday, February 28 @ 6pm

Flagstaff Shakespeare Festival (FlagShakes) is proud to present “Shakespeare’s Sirens,” a one-woman cabaret-style show written by local playwright Hannah Johnson. “Shakespeare’s Sirens” explores the experiences of female characters in Shakespeare’s works, using Elizabethan music as an additional element of storytelling. It explores similarities in female stories in Shakespeare (bluntly, they sing beautiful, haunting songs, then they die, but why?). The show is performed by Hannah Johnson and accompanied by her husband, the classical guitarist Jacob Johnson.

Your ticket includes one complimentary glass of wine or sparkling non-alcoholic beverage, and these delicious goodies from the Turquoise Room:

Red Corn Taquitos filled with Beef Machaca and served with a Spicy Avocado Sauce

Santa Fe Chicken and Vegetables Egg Rolls. Served with a Tomatillo and Green Chili Dipping Sauce

Tri-Color Chips with Spicy Avocado Sauce and Salsa Quemada

Seating is strictly limited to 60 people.

General Admission - $60.00 ($10 of your ticket cost is a direct, tax-deductible donation to FlagShakes), 40 available

VIP Ticket - $75.00 (The additional $15 donation to FlagShakes includes priority seating closer to the stage), 20 available

Performance Details:

Date & Time: February 28, 2026. Cocktail hour at 5pm followed by performance at 6pm.

Location: La Posada, 303 East 2nd Street, Route 66, Winslow, Arizona, 86047

Tickets & More Information: Available online at flagshakes.org

Flagstaff Shakespeare Festival Announces 2026 Season: ‘Theatre That Elevates Empathy’

The Flagstaff Shakespeare Festival — affectionately known as FlagShakes — is proud to announce its 2026 Season. This year's lineup features productions and programs that reaffirm the company’s mission to create actor-driven theatre that fosters empathy, strengthens community and celebrates the enduring power of live performance.

As playwright Lorraine Hansberry reminds us, “It is still not unthinkable to me that the human race might just do what the apes never will: Impose the reason for life on life.” That vision of resilience and possibility is at the heart of FlagShakes’ work — creating theatre that helps us imagine not only who we are, but who we might yet become.

The 2026 Season: A Celebration of Humanity

This year’s plays invite audiences to wrestle with timeless questions of loyalty, and love, while enjoying the rich tradition of Elizabethan staging practices alongside contemporary voices. Together, the season embodies FlagShakes’ commitment to presenting classics with vitality and relevance while nurturing new works and  perspectives.

Our summer performances will unfold under Flagstaff’s iconic dark skies, bringing both residents and visitors together to experience the unique magic of live theatre in Northern Arizona. It is an unforgettable way to connect through stories that matter.

Expanding Programs for All Ages

In 2026, FlagShakes will also expand two of its most beloved community offerings:

Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA): FlagShakes will bring fresh, interactive performances designed especially for children and families to schools and community spaces across Northern Arizona.

Senior Center Programming: FlagShakes will build on last year’s successful initiatives to deepen partnerships with local senior centers, ensuring that theatre remains accessible, joyful and enriching for community members of all ages.

These programs are more than outreach, they are part of our promise to weave this art into the community fabric. We believe that everyone — whether 3 or 93 — deserves to feel the spark of empathy and wonder that live theatre brings.

A Season for the Community, By the Community

Now celebrating over a decade of stability and innovation, FlagShakes serves as a cultural cornerstone for the region with award-winning productions, collaborative partnerships and a relentless commitment to accessibility.

This year’s offerings includes something for audiences of all ages. Productions such as “To Be Young, Gifted, and Black” and the family-friendly adventure “Much Ado About Dinosaurs” at the Beaver Street Theatre make FlagShakes a must-see that’s both meaningful and entertaining.

The 2026 season is only possible through the generosity of donors, volunteers and partners who share the vision of a thriving arts community. We invite audiences to gather, to witness and to carry the stories forward. Because in theatre — as in life — empathy is our most powerful guide.

Season tickets available at FlagShakes.org/tickets

CLICK HERE for more information