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Press and Media

Welcome to the Ford’s Theatre Press Room, designated for working members of the media.

We invite you to learn more about the history, vision, leadership and programming of Ford’s Theatre below. If you would like to cover events or productions at Ford’s Theatre, or film at the historic site, contact us at press@fords.org. 

Office hours are Monday-Friday, 10:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. ET

Latest News and Press Releases

SUMMER 2018 PROGRAMMING ANNOUNCED

"One Destiny" Performances are June 13 to June 30; Walking Tours Through October 27, 2018

Ford’s Theatre Society announced that summer 2018 programming will include afternoon performances of the popular one-act play "One Destiny" and the continuation of History on Foot walking tours, "Investigation: Detective McDevitt," led by costumed actors. Tickets are available for purchase at www.fords.org or in person at the Ford’s Theatre box office (511 Tenth Street NW). Visitors can also enhance their visit to Ford’s Theatre with Voices of the Petersen House, a virtual reality time travel experience on the TimeLooper app (available on the Apple App Store and Google Play).

Media Release

2018-2019 THEATRE SEASON ANNOUNCED

"Born Yesterday," "Twelve Angry Men," "Into the Woods" and "A Christmas Carol"

Ford’s Theatre Director Paul R. Tetreault today announced the Ford’s Theatre 2018-2019 season will include the political satire "Born Yesterday," directed by Aaron Posner; the classic American drama "Twelve Angry Men," directed by Sheldon Epps; the musical fairytale "Into the Woods," directed by Peter Flynn; and "A Christmas Carol" with Craig Wallace reprising the role of Ebenezer Scrooge.

Media Release

Phebe N. Novakovic Elected Chairman of Ford's Theatre Society Board of Trustees

Phebe N. Novakovic, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of General Dynamics, has been elected Chairman of the nonprofit’s Board of Trustees. Novakovic assumed the role following the March 15, 2018, Board of Trustees meeting. Novakovic succeeds Eric A. Spiegel, outgoing chairman, a board member since 2006. Spiegel will continue to serve as Chairman Emeritus and as a member of the Executive Committee.

Media Release

Petersen House Virtual Reality App by TimeLooper Now Available

Free App Includes Virtual Walk-Through and First-Person Perspectives from Night of Lincoln Assassination

Voices of Petersen House provides a virtual reality experience including interactive photographs taken inside the Petersen House and first-person accounts of the men and women who witnessed Abraham Lincoln’s final hours. Developed and donated to the National Park Service and Ford’s Theatre Society by TimeLooper, the app moves virtually through each room of the Petersen House. Users will experience the front parlor where Mary Lincoln waited inconsolably for news of her husband’s condition, the back parlor where Secretary of War Edwin Stanton launched the manhunt for the president’s assassin, and the “death room” where Lincoln drew his final breath.

Media Release

May 7, 2018: SEVENTH-ANNUAL NATIONAL ORATORY FELLOWS PERFORMANCE

EVENT FEATURES 24 STUDENTS and 26 TEACHERS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY

Twenty-four students from grades 5 through 8 and 26 teachers from Arizona, California, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas will perform original and historical speeches in honor of Lincoln on the historic Ford’s Theatre stage. Participating students were selected by their teachers in combination with recommendations from Ford’s Theatre Teaching Artists, as part of their classroom’s participation in the Ford’s Theatre National Oratory Fellows Program.

Media Release

FORD’S THEATRE SOCIETY HOSTS ITS FIRST SENSORY-FRIENDLY PERFORMANCE

The Wiz: Saturday, May 5, at 2:00 p.m.

Ford’s Theatre Society will host its first a sensory-friendly performance on May 5, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. This performance is designed to be welcoming for individuals on the autism spectrum and those with other sensory sensitivities who might benefit from an adjusted theatrical environment. Theatrical adjustments for this performance of "The Wiz" may include: lessening of strobe lighting and lighting focused on the audience; lower stage sound levels, especially for sudden or loud sounds; designated take-a-break spaces so that attendees who need to move during the performance may do so freely; designated quiet areas; and allowances for audience talking and use of tablets and smartphones for communication. Printed materials to prepare attendees for their visit to Ford’s Theatre and the performance itself will be made available to patrons.

Media Release

The Wiz: Casting and Design Team Announced

Production plays March 9 to May 12, 2018

Ford’s Theatre Society announced full casting and design team for "The Wiz" directed by Kent Gash, choreographed by Dell Howlett and with Music Direction and Orchestration by Darius Smith. The production features Ines Nassara as Dorothy, Hasani Allen as Scarecrow, Kevin McAllister as Tinman, Christopher Michael Richardson as Lion and Jobari Parker-Namdar as The Wiz. The musical plays March 9 to May 12, 2018, at historic Ford’s Theatre. The production is recommended for ages eight and older.

Media Release

Spring Daytime Programming Announced

"One Destiny" performances return March 19-May 19, 2018. "History on Foot" Walking Tours continue March 15-October 2018. Conversation with former White House Social Secretaries, Lea Berman and Jeremy Bernard, on "Treating People Well," April 8, 2018. Discussion with Historian Kate Masur and Journalist Michele Norris on "They Knew Lincoln," April 16, 2018.

Media Release

Petersen House to Close Starting December 25 for Historic Preservation Work

House where Abraham Lincoln died to reopen in June 2018

The Petersen House (House Where Lincoln Died) will close for preservation work starting Monday, December 25, 2017, and lasting until June of 2018. The work will include replacing the existing fire suppression system, updating historic furnishings and wallpaper, and general preservation and maintenance work on the historic structure.

Media Release

Ford's Theatre Gallery

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