Statement from Our Director

An update from Director Paul R. Tetreault on anti-racist work and the 2020-2021 season at Ford’s Theatre.

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Press & Media

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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

Phased Reopening of Ford’s Theatre Site Announced by Ford’s Theatre Society and the National Park Service

Reopening for Museum and Theatre Wednesday, October 14, 2020; Advance Ticket Reservations Required; Tickets for October 14-18 available online beginning October 13 at 10 a.m; Petersen House and Aftermath Exhibits Remain Closed

Washington – Ford’s Theatre Society and the National Park Service announce a phased reopening schedule for Ford’s Theatre and the Ford’s Theatre Museum beginning Wednesday, October 14, 2020, with advance tickets required. Tickets for October 14-18 will be available online beginning October 13, 2020, at 10 a.m. Following the initial opening, Ford’s Theatre and its museum will operate with a modified schedule for daytime visitation on Wednesdays through Sundays with required advance tickets. Timed entry to Ford’s Theatre and museum will be available on the hour from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The site will be closed during the 1 p.m. hour for cleaning. Adhering to capacity policies set forth by DC Health, a maximum number of 25 visitors per hour are permitted in the building during this stage of reopening.

Media Release

Ford's Announces Changes to 2020-2021 Theatre Season

A Christmas Carol To Be Released as a Radio Play; Revised Three-Play Spring Season Focuses on Civil Rights Icons; New Commissions of Plays by BIPOC Playwrights about BIPOC Figures in History

Washington, D.C.—Ford’s Theatre Director Paul R. Tetreault today announced updates to the Ford’s Theatre 2020-2021 season, following a revaluation amid the national reckoning for racial justice and the impacts of COVID-19 on live performances. The fall production of Horton Foote’s "The Trip to Bountiful" is canceled. "A Christmas Carol" will be released as a radio play featuring Craig Wallace as Scrooge. The revised three-play spring season focuses on Civil Rights Icons: "My Lord, What a Night" by Deborah Brevoort and directed by Sheldon Epps; "The Mountaintop" by Katori Hall; "Necessary Sacrifices" by Richard Hellesen and directed by Psalmayene 24. New commissions of plays by BIPOC playwrights about BIPOC figures in history. "Guys and Dolls" is postponed. Virtual programming continues with Cabinet Conversations, Virtual Play Readings and educational distance-learning initiatives

Media Release

Sheldon Epps Joins Ford’s Theatre Society as Senior Artistic Advisor

Epps Joins Team as Theatre Reevaluates 2020-2021 Season

Washington, D.C.— Ford’s Theatre Director Paul R. Tetreault today announced that Sheldon Epps will join the theatre’s leadership team as Senior Artistic Advisor. Epps steps into the new role as the theatre reevaluates its 2020-2021 season amid the national reckoning for racial justice and the impacts of COVID-19 on live performances. “I am thrilled to welcome Sheldon Epps to the Ford’s Theatre family,” said Tetreault. “D.C. audiences will know Sheldon from his 2019 production of 'Twelve Angry Men,' when he gave new relevance to this iconic drama and its themes of racism in America. I have known Sheldon for more than 20 years and been an admirer of his work as a director and producer. Over the last several years, I have relied on his counsel not only for the works he has (and will) direct but also on his programming ideas and direction of the company. Sheldon’s insight, leadership, talent and deep capacity for empathy will be vital to our path forward. As we revisit our 2020-2021 season, we commit to using our power to tell stories that speak to the present moment with courage, hope, inspiration, joy and healing. We rededicate ourselves to the great work that consumed Lincoln’s life, building a more just and peaceful world, through the power of our creative voices.”

Media Release

Ford’s Theatre Society Announces Summer Live Streaming Schedule

Live Bi-Weekly "Cabinet Conversations" and Abraham Lincoln Institute Online Events

Ford’s Theatre Society announced its summer history-based live streaming events, including the Thursday discussion series Cabinet Conversations: Creativity, History and Leadership and the Abraham Lincoln Institute Online Lincoln Symposium. Cabinet Conversations: History, Creativity and Leadership June 4, 18, July 2, 16, 30 and August 13 Abraham Lincoln Institute Online Lincoln Symposium June 8, 22, July 6, 20 and August 3

Media Release

Ford's Theatre Launches Lincoln's Great Words Challenge June 8-July 31, 2020

Virtual Challenge Encourages Participants to Perform Lincoln’s Words

Washington, D.C. – Ford’s Theatre announced the launch of Lincoln’s Great Words Challenge, June 8 to July 31, 2020—an eight-week online oratory challenge exploring Abraham Lincoln’s speeches. The challenge features weekly hour-long workshops via Zoom exploring the text of Abraham Lincoln’s public addresses and his oratorical delivery while also providing public-speaking training to improve participants’ skills. The challenge includes an opportunity for participants to submit video recordings of their own performances of Lincoln’s great words. Participant videos may be published on the Ford’s Theatre website and social media channels.

Media Release

All Ford's Theatre Programming Canceled Through May 17, 2020

All "Guys and Dolls" Performances Canceled & Production Rescheduled for Spring 2021; Historic Site Closed; Streamable, Live, Interactive and Distance-Learning Resources Available for Educators, Caregivers and Individuals

Washington, D.C. – Ford’s Theatre Society is further altering its programming schedule through May 17, 2020. All performances of "Guys and Dolls" have been canceled and the production will be rescheduled for spring 2021, with dates to be announced. Special thanks to "Guys and Dolls" sponsors Lead Sponsor: ConocoPhillips and Underwriters: Altria Group, General Motors Company and KPMG LLP. The musical "Man of La Mancha," originally announced as the spring 2021 production, will be postponed to a future season. Patrons with tickets to "Guys and Dolls" performances should visit the Ford’s Theatre website (www.fords.org) to see their options for receiving account credit, donating the value of their tickets to Ford’s Theatre Society or receiving a refund. The National Park Service has closed the Ford’s Theatre historic site (Museum, Theatre, Petersen House). The Society’s Aftermath Exhibits are closed. The Society’s History on Foot walking tours and performances of "One Destiny" scheduled through May 17 have also been canceled. All Guided Tours of Ford’s Theatre are canceled through May 17.

Media Release

Ford's Theatre Programming Update in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Historic Site Is Closed; "Guys and Dolls" Performances Canceled March 13-April 4; Lincoln Symposium Canceled; No Guided Tours nor "History on Foot" Walking Tours

Washington, D.C. – Out of an abundance of caution and to follow DC Health’s recommendations, Ford’s Theatre Society is altering its programming schedule through April 4. Ford’s Theatre Society is staying abreast of the evolving situation related to the novel coronavirus COVID-19 and following advice from the Center for Disease Control (CDC). The latest Ford’s Theatre updates will be posted on www.fords.org and main box office phoneline (202) 638-2941.

Media Release

SEARCHING FOR TRUTH IN THE GARDEN: GONZAGA COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL’S HISTORY WITH SLAVERY

Special Exhibition on Display March 2-August 2020

Washington, D.C.— Ford's Theatre presents the exhibition "Searching for Truth in the Garden: Gonzaga's History with Slavery"on the second floor of the Center for Education and Leadership (514 Tenth Street NW) from March 2 through August 2020. The installation is the culmination of extensive research completed by six students from Gonzaga College High School, a Jesuit high school in Washington, D.C. Their research, which took place during the summers of 2017 and 2018 at the Georgetown University Library, showed that profits from slave plantations went into the building and construction of Georgetown's Washington Seminary, which was founded in 1821 and later renamed Gonzaga College. They also found reference to the names of five enslaved individuals in Washington Seminary accounting books.

Media Release

Ford's Theatre Gallery

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Part of the Aftermath Exhibit in the Center for Education and Leadership. Photo © Maxwell MacKenzie.