Shakespeare and Company

Shakespeare and Company is one of the best known Shakespeare theatres in the United States, and its home in Lenox is a campus of indoor and outdoor stages set among pines and lawns. Tina Packer founded the company in 1978, and it began on the grounds of The Mount before moving to its current site on Kemble Street. The company performs the plays of Shakespeare in energetic, text-focused productions, alongside works by modern authors, new plays and education programs for schools and adults.The campus offers several performance spaces. The Founders' Theatre is a traditional indoor stage, the Tina Packer Playhouse offers a flexible space, and the outdoor Roman Garden Theatre brings plays into the open air in the evening. The mix lets the company adapt to weather, and the grounds invite picnics and relaxed evenings before the performance. Actors often step out to greet audiences, and talk-backs and pre-show lectures are part of the experience.

The main season runs from late spring to early fall, with the busiest schedule in July and August. Performances typically take place in the evening, with matinees on some days. Check the calendar and choose a show that fits your interests, whether a famous tragedy, a comedy or a new work. Tickets are available online, and popular plays sell out on weekends, so book ahead.

Some performances offer discounts for students, families and groups. If you are new to Shakespeare, the company is a good place to start. The actors place a strong emphasis on clear speech and physical energy, and the intimate theaters keep you close to the action.

For younger audiences, check the schedule for family shows and school programs. The company also runs workshops and training sessions that visitors can join, which can be a memorable way to spend a summer day.Arrive early to park, explore the grounds and eat. Picnics are welcome on the lawns, and the campus has a cafe or concession depending on the season. Bring a sweater and bug spray for outdoor shows, and be ready for performances to move indoors if the weather turns.

Seating can be general admission in some venues, so arrive early to choose the best spots. The campus has accessible parking and seating, but paths are uneven in places.The company fits well with a Lenox weekend. Combine an evening performance with an afternoon at The Mount, dinner in town and a concert at Tanglewood on the next day.

Those who want a full theatre trip can add Barrington Stage in Pittsfield or the Williamstown Theatre Festival in the north. The Berkshires have one of the densest concentrations of summer theatre in the country, and Shakespeare and Company is at the heart of it.

Think about seating and weather in advance. Outdoor shows depend on the evening air, so bring a blanket and a light jacket even in July. Indoor stages are more comfortable on cold or rainy nights. For first-timers, a comedy such as A Midsummer Night's Dream is a gentle introduction, while tragedies can be intense. Ask the box office about running times and any content notes. After the show, linger on the grounds, because actors often meet audiences, and the surrounding village has restaurants open late on weekends.