OUR MISSION: “SHAKESPEARE FOR ALL” – PROFESSIONAL, SMALL-SCALE THEATER OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE

Inspired by the Small Scale Agriculture Movement, which champions local farmers and markets as alternatives to big corporate agriculture, Irvington Shakespeare Company: Home of Rivertowns Playhouse envisions a similar path for the future of American theater. We believe that professional, high-quality performing arts should be created by, of, and for the people, and be accessible to everyone.

Our core belief is simple: “Shakespeare For All.” Americans from all backgrounds need great theater to help them process, navigate, and survive as human beings. Theater is a vital necessity—our mirror for reflection, catharsis, and hope. Yet when a Broadway ticket averages $129 per person and many working-class families have about $55/month for arts and culture, the math shuts people out. We’re here to fight back.

We aim to provide free performances of the greatest playwright of all time, William Shakespeare, at the absolute highest level of artistic quality. The standard of our productions is intentionally ambitious, so that everyone—regardless of income—can experience the vital exposure and life-changing power of professional theater at its highest form. Shakespeare and the American spirit are one and the same, and through his work we build a bridge for our community—holding up a mirror to America’s ideals and contradictions, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the beautiful—so we can reflect, reckon, laugh, grieve, and ultimately feel more connected to one another.

Our mission is to decentralize the artistic landscape, challenging profit-focused corporate Broadway and Hollywood, where the bottom line is too often prioritized over the art and the people creating it. By investing in our local community, we aim to democratize the performing arts, empowering individuals and communities by returning the power of entertainment and inspiration to their hands—audience, artists, and performers alike.

Irvington Shakespeare Company serves as a catalyst for this transformation, fostering a vibrant artistic community that thrives on grassroots initiatives. By engaging with us, you become an essential part of this movement. Together, we can reshape the artistic landscape of theater, creating a future where the arts truly flourish within and for the people.

Theatrical performing arts mirror our world’s dynamic challenges, offering both reflection and hope. Rivertowns Playhouse and its resident company, the Irvington Shakespeare Company, are dedicated to staging plays, musicals, and workshops that resonate deeply with contemporary themes. We believe in the power of theater to help us navigate the complexities of our era, offering a sanctuary of understanding and catharsis.

In an era characterized by profound change, Irvington Shakespeare Company offers a welcoming space to explore and interpret the evolving stories of our time. We are committed to being accessible to people of all ages and from all walks of life, presenting productions entirely free of charge in a venue that boasts free parking and is conveniently located near key public transportation hubs, including the Westchester Bus Bee Line (Routes 1, 1T, 1W) at Broadway and Main Street, as well as the Metro-North Hudson Line at Irvington. Our facilities are wheelchair accessible, and we are continuously working to enhance our ADA compliance.

Our unwavering commitment to improving our accessibility ensures that our theater remains inviting to everyone, delivering stories that resonate with and inspire a wide spectrum of audiences. All are welcome at the Irvington Shakespeare Company.

Acting Shakespeare: An American Odyssey - Saturday 8/8/2026

An official revival of Sir Ian McKellen’s legendary one-man show through the lens of the American journey.