Orlando Shakes will present two Pulitzer Prize-winning theatres for the 2025-26 season. Instead, the Theatre Signature Series offers two Shakespeare titles. It is set in Florida with a new Bite and award-winning off-Broadway comedy.
The 37th season of the nonprofit theatre will see two children’s productions, with “Christmas Carol” returning for the holidays. After a break between the Lowndes Shakespeare Center being renovated, the annual new theatre festival will return to two fall weekends. And while the theatre concert series is back, details have not been announced on the remaining schedule on Thursday.
“We’ve cut short the current season due to renovations to the building that impacted the entire centre, but we’re excited to be back bigger and better in 2025-26 with the passion and Pulitzer lineup,” Jim Helsinger said in the season’s announcement.
The opening night party, which begins 90 minutes before showtime, will return with live music, small bites and pre-show chats with each production’s creative team.
Current Orlando Shakes Signature series subscribers can update at any time either directly or by calling the box office at 407-447-1700. The new subscription will be on sale in May, with single tickets and other ticket packages as well. Find more information at orlandoshakes.org.
And now, without Futher Ado, there is a chronological look for each series for the Orlando Shakes 2025-26 season.

Signature Series
Anna of the Tropic: August 27th – September 21st. Niloculus’ Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, set in 1929, weaves a story of love, longing and betrayal at Ibor City Cigar Factory.
Dracula: A Terrifying Comedy: September 24th, November. 2. Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen’s 2023 off-Broadway genderbending comics world’s most famous vampires are full of quick change, jokes and stupid wordplay.
Orlando’s name is Sheryl Collins’ executive director.
Romeo & Juliet: January 14th – FEB. 8, 2026. The eternal story of Shakespeare’s young Star Cross lover.
Fatham: March 4-29, 2026. Playwright James Iyams won the 2022 Pulitzer Prize for this South Freed comedy set for a family barbecue where young, strange black black people face the ghost of their father who wants to kill. If that plot sounds familiar, it’s because it was lifted directly from Shakespeare himself. “Fatham” is a modern rethink of the classic “Hamlet.”
Henry VI, Part 3: Rise of Richard: April 1-19, 2026. The Theatre Fire and Reign Series tracks the history of the British monarchy through the War of Roses.

Children’s Series
Very Hungry Caterpillar Show: October 14th November. 9. Based on Eric Carl’s four timeless stories, about a creepy crazy cutie pie that doesn’t sway the creepy appetite.
Do not let pigeons drive buses: April 14th, May 8th, 2026. Based on the MoWellems book, the title is trivial.
What will be on stage in Orlando this March: Princess, Trump, Dragon, Murder: Princess, Trump, and Murder
Special Events
Playfest: October 31st and November. 2nd and November 7-9th. Gradual measurements of unprocessed, unprocessed works given the opportunity to meet playwrights and provide feedback that will help shape the future of the theatre.
Christmas Carol: November 26th – December. twenty four. Helsinger’s adaptation of Charles Dickens’ Yuletide Ghost Story.
37th Season Gala: March 29, 2006. Food and entertainment at the theatre’s annual fundraiser.
Follow us at facebook.com/matthew.j.palm or email us at mpalm@orlandosentinel.com. Find out more entertainment news and reviews at orlandosentinel.com/entternationment.