Community Calendar

By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes… In one of Shakespeare’s most haunting tragedies, Macbeth plunges audiences into a dark world of ambition, prophecy, and betrayal. When three mysterious witches foretell that Macbeth will become king, a deadly chain of events is set in motion, blurring the line between destiny and choice.

Set against a foreboding backdrop of war and witchcraft, Macbeth explores the corrupting power of unchecked ambition and the psychological unraveling of a man consumed by power. Is Macbeth a pawn of fate or the author of his own downfall? This timeless classic continues to captivate with its powerful language, unforgettable characters, and eerie supernatural elements. ESPtheatre is proud to present this must-see for fans of dramatic theater, classic literature, and suspenseful storytelling as our next main stage production.

Performances run January 9th through February 3rd at News Spire Arts and the ESP Loft. Tickets available now!
Friday, January 9th - 7:30pm at New Spire Arts
Saturday, January 10th - 7:30pm at New Spire Arts
Sunday, January 11th - 3:00pm at New Spire Arts
Friday, January 23rd - 7:30pm at New Spire Arts
Saturday, January 24th - 7:30pm at New Spire Arts
Sunday, January 25th - 3:00pm at New Spire Arts
Saturday, January 31st - 3:00pm at the ESP Loft
Sunday, February 1st - 3:00pm at the ESP Loft
Monday, February 2nd - 7:30pm at the ESP Loft
Tuesday, February 3rd - 7:30pm at the ESP Loft

Vagabond Players presents THE SHARK IS BROKEN
Jan. 9 – Feb. 1, 2026

Vagabond Players continues their historic 110th Season— and celebrates the 50th anniversary of the iconic film JAWS—with the Baltimore premiere of THE SHARK IS BROKEN, written by Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon and directed by Vagabond veteran Stephen Deininger.

Fresh off acclaimed runs in London’s West End and on Broadway, this behind-the-scenes look at one of the most iconic films ever made is as hilarious as it is heartfelt. Return to the waters where it all began: three actors, two fragile egos, and one very uncooperative shark. This could be the biggest disaster in recent Hollywood history, helmed by a director that no one thinks can
pull it off. In between swilling Tab and tanning on deck, Roy Scheider runs interference between neurotic Richard Dreyfus and the acid drunk wit of Robert Shaw as they navigate endless filming delays and screwups on a rickety lobster boat.

Starring returning Vagabond Players actors, Doug Krehbel, Andy Belt and Matthew Lindsay Payne, THE SHARK IS BROKEN offers a delicious insider’s look at the bickering, brawling and back stabbing among a trio of soon-to-be legendary actors who just happen to be making a monster movie that will change the course of cinema history. Frustrations, petty rivalries and no-so-secret vices all come to the surface in a comedy that also contains a deeper story of fathers and sons, their mortality, and the legacy they leave.

THE SHARK IS BROKEN runs January 9 – February 1, 2026, with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. And check out a special “Thursdays on Broadway” performance January 29 at 8 p.m. when all tickets are just $12.

For tickets, cast and show info visit www.vagabondplayers.org. Special discounts and group rates are available online.

How can we break the cycle that compels immigrants and their children to leave homes and families in search of security? From East, Like the Sun follows two generations in two families (and one 19th century ghost) searching for the mother lode - whether it’s gold, or a stable way of life.
Playwright Karen Li, previously produced by Rapid Lemon as part of Variations on Change in 2022, is a Baltimore-based multidisciplinary artist whose other plays have been produced by Strand Theater, Theaterlab, and La Jolla Playhouse. Jalice Ortiz-Corral (Honey Bee Baby, Variations on Courage, Variations on The End) directs.
Performed live on stage at Strand Theater, 5426 Harford Road, Baltimore, MD 21214. Tickets are general admission, $25. A special discounted "Industry Night" performance is just $15, on Monday, January 12. We'll have a talkback with the playwright following the performance on Friday, January 23, and a special "Masked Matinee" on January 18th - audience members will be required to wear masks for that performance.

The holidays already are here and your shopping isn’t finished? Or even started? What to give special friends who say they don’t need anything? Church Hill Theatre has an easy and thoughtful suggestion. Consider a 2026 Season Package—with 5 tickets for the price of 4. You get to choose the plays and the dates.

The coming 2026 season opens in March with a Tennessee Williams classic, The Glass Menagerie, and closes in December with A Christmas Carol. In between, there is a great choice of musicals, comedies and more. Consider Between the Lines, an April musical featuring our talented teens, the major June production of Chicago, or the September musical Something’s Afoot, a spoof of British mystery stories. And who could pass on the spooky November show, The Transylvanian Clockworks?

This special $100 package will make a memorable gift and support a cherished local institution. And if you have been very good all through the year, consider treating yourself to an entire season of outstanding shows. This package is available through the CHT office, at 410-556-6003 or online at churchhilltheatre.org.

Church Hill, MD - Church Hill Theatre is pleased to announce that registration for Basic Acting Skills for Students (BASS) will open online on December 10, 2025. BASS offers students in 1st through 8th grades a chance to bask in the glow of the footlights in a series of Saturday workshops. In this program, which begins on January 31, 2026, students learn about improvisation, character development, scene preparation, and musical theatre dance and vocals. The students’ exploration of theatrical scenes, storytelling, movement and song concludes with a performance for family and friends, scheduled for February 28.

In 2026, the program will include two class levels: students in grades 1-4, and students in grades 5-8. The program will be taught by Becca Van Aken, program founder and experienced theater and QACPS educator. Ms. Van Aken will be joined by experienced guest instructors and members of the Church Hill Theatre family.
Classes will be held on Saturdays beginning January 31, running through February 28. The BASS Jr class (1st to 4th graders) will run from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. The BASS Sr. class (5th to 8th graders) will run from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. There will be a joint class for both groups on the final day, February 28 from 9:00AM to 1:00 PM, including a brief presentation for families.

The cost of the class is $110. Partial scholarships are available. A 10% discount is offered to families who register more than one child. For more information or to register for the class, interested parents can go to the Church Hill Theatre website: www.churchhilltheatre.org/education, or call the theater office at (410) 556-6003 between 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM Monday through Friday. Registration for BASS closes January 23, 2026.

By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes… In one of Shakespeare’s most haunting tragedies, Macbeth plunges audiences into a dark world of ambition, prophecy, and betrayal. When three mysterious witches foretell that Macbeth will become king, a deadly chain of events is set in motion, blurring the line between destiny and choice.

Set against a foreboding backdrop of war and witchcraft, Macbeth explores the corrupting power of unchecked ambition and the psychological unraveling of a man consumed by power. Is Macbeth a pawn of fate or the author of his own downfall? This timeless classic continues to captivate with its powerful language, unforgettable characters, and eerie supernatural elements. ESPtheatre is proud to present this must-see for fans of dramatic theater, classic literature, and suspenseful storytelling as our next main stage production.

Performances run January 9th through February 3rd at News Spire Arts and the ESP Loft. Tickets available now!
Friday, January 9th - 7:30pm at New Spire Arts
Saturday, January 10th - 7:30pm at New Spire Arts
Sunday, January 11th - 3:00pm at New Spire Arts
Friday, January 23rd - 7:30pm at New Spire Arts
Saturday, January 24th - 7:30pm at New Spire Arts
Sunday, January 25th - 3:00pm at New Spire Arts
Saturday, January 31st - 3:00pm at the ESP Loft
Sunday, February 1st - 3:00pm at the ESP Loft
Monday, February 2nd - 7:30pm at the ESP Loft
Tuesday, February 3rd - 7:30pm at the ESP Loft

Join the murder mystery experience that puts YOU in the spotlight. This comedic dinner theater show is the killer game everyone’s dying to play. Don’t let this unforgettable event pass you by!
At this event like no other, you’ll play along as a detective or play a part as a suspect in the crime. Work with other guests to crack the case over a mouthwatering three-course meal, and discover whodunnit before the killer gets away! Mingle and connect with other teams and intriguing suspects, discover clues, uncover shocking secrets, and unleash your inner child’s imagination during this interactive comedic experience. But watch out! The killer could be anyone… even YOU!
Participate in a new mystery every month! From the glitz of 1930s Hollywood in “Best Laid Plans” to the roaring 1920s with “Death of a Gangster,” each event offers unforgettable thrills. Boogie at a 1950s sock hop, solve a 90s crime in “Good Riddance,” or celebrate the season with “The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year.” Whether it's a billionaire’s masquerade, a 1980s bash, or a chilling wedding-themed whodunit, there’s a unique mystery waiting for you. Mark your calendar and join the fun. Each month brings a fresh adventure.

By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes… In one of Shakespeare’s most haunting tragedies, Macbeth plunges audiences into a dark world of ambition, prophecy, and betrayal. When three mysterious witches foretell that Macbeth will become king, a deadly chain of events is set in motion, blurring the line between destiny and choice.

Set against a foreboding backdrop of war and witchcraft, Macbeth explores the corrupting power of unchecked ambition and the psychological unraveling of a man consumed by power. Is Macbeth a pawn of fate or the author of his own downfall? This timeless classic continues to captivate with its powerful language, unforgettable characters, and eerie supernatural elements. ESPtheatre is proud to present this must-see for fans of dramatic theater, classic literature, and suspenseful storytelling as our next main stage production.

Performances run January 9th through February 3rd at News Spire Arts and the ESP Loft. Tickets available now!
Friday, January 9th - 7:30pm at New Spire Arts
Saturday, January 10th - 7:30pm at New Spire Arts
Sunday, January 11th - 3:00pm at New Spire Arts
Friday, January 23rd - 7:30pm at New Spire Arts
Saturday, January 24th - 7:30pm at New Spire Arts
Sunday, January 25th - 3:00pm at New Spire Arts
Saturday, January 31st - 3:00pm at the ESP Loft
Sunday, February 1st - 3:00pm at the ESP Loft
Monday, February 2nd - 7:30pm at the ESP Loft
Tuesday, February 3rd - 7:30pm at the ESP Loft

Vagabond Players presents THE SHARK IS BROKEN
Jan. 9 – Feb. 1, 2026

Vagabond Players continues their historic 110th Season— and celebrates the 50th anniversary of the iconic film JAWS—with the Baltimore premiere of THE SHARK IS BROKEN, written by Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon and directed by Vagabond veteran Stephen Deininger.

Fresh off acclaimed runs in London’s West End and on Broadway, this behind-the-scenes look at one of the most iconic films ever made is as hilarious as it is heartfelt. Return to the waters where it all began: three actors, two fragile egos, and one very uncooperative shark. This could be the biggest disaster in recent Hollywood history, helmed by a director that no one thinks can
pull it off. In between swilling Tab and tanning on deck, Roy Scheider runs interference between neurotic Richard Dreyfus and the acid drunk wit of Robert Shaw as they navigate endless filming delays and screwups on a rickety lobster boat.

Starring returning Vagabond Players actors, Doug Krehbel, Andy Belt and Matthew Lindsay Payne, THE SHARK IS BROKEN offers a delicious insider’s look at the bickering, brawling and back stabbing among a trio of soon-to-be legendary actors who just happen to be making a monster movie that will change the course of cinema history. Frustrations, petty rivalries and no-so-secret vices all come to the surface in a comedy that also contains a deeper story of fathers and sons, their mortality, and the legacy they leave.

THE SHARK IS BROKEN runs January 9 – February 1, 2026, with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. And check out a special “Thursdays on Broadway” performance January 29 at 8 p.m. when all tickets are just $12.

For tickets, cast and show info visit www.vagabondplayers.org. Special discounts and group rates are available online.

How can we break the cycle that compels immigrants and their children to leave homes and families in search of security? From East, Like the Sun follows two generations in two families (and one 19th century ghost) searching for the mother lode - whether it’s gold, or a stable way of life.
Playwright Karen Li, previously produced by Rapid Lemon as part of Variations on Change in 2022, is a Baltimore-based multidisciplinary artist whose other plays have been produced by Strand Theater, Theaterlab, and La Jolla Playhouse. Jalice Ortiz-Corral (Honey Bee Baby, Variations on Courage, Variations on The End) directs.
Performed live on stage at Strand Theater, 5426 Harford Road, Baltimore, MD 21214. Tickets are general admission, $25. A special discounted "Industry Night" performance is just $15, on Monday, January 12. We'll have a talkback with the playwright following the performance on Friday, January 23, and a special "Masked Matinee" on January 18th - audience members will be required to wear masks for that performance.