5 Must-Know Facts About The Classic Theatre Of Maryland: Your 2025 Guide To Annapolis’s Premier Stage
The Classic Theatre of Maryland (CTM) stands today, as of December 22, 2025, at the pinnacle of the region's cultural landscape, having solidified its reputation as Anne Arundel County’s only year-round professional regional theatre company. This organization, which evolved from the celebrated Annapolis Shakespeare Company (ASC), continues to draw audiences with its mission to produce "bold, re-imagined, entertaining and accessible interpretations" of both classical works and contemporary plays. CTM is not just a venue for performance; it is a dynamic cultural hub that presents over 180 live performances annually, ensuring a constant stream of world-class artistic experiences for the community.
The theatre's commitment extends far beyond the Main Stage, encompassing a vibrant Cabaret Room series and extensive educational outreach programs, making it a cornerstone of artistic development in Annapolis and the greater Maryland area. From Shakespearean tragedy to Irving Berlin's musical brilliance, the current and upcoming seasons are a testament to the company’s ambitious vision and the powerful leadership steering its course.
The Visionary: Sally Boyett, Founder and Producing Artistic Director
The trajectory and success of the Classic Theatre of Maryland are intrinsically linked to its Founder and Producing Artistic Director, Sally Boyett. Her vision has been the driving force behind the company's growth from a focused Shakespearean group to a multifaceted regional powerhouse.
- Role: Founder, Producing Artistic Director, and frequent Director for the Classic Theatre of Maryland (CTM).
- Founding History: Boyett initially founded the company as the Annapolis Shakespeare Company (ASC) in 2013, a name that emphasized its early focus on classical tragedy and comedy.
- Evolution: Under her leadership, the company expanded its repertoire and scope, leading to the evolution and rebrand to the Classic Theatre of Maryland to better reflect its diverse offering of classical and contemporary plays and musicals.
- Directorial Work: She has directed a wide array of notable productions, showcasing her versatility across genres. Her directorial credits include musicals like *Cabaret* and *Kiss Me, Kate*, as well as classical works such as *The Comedy of Errors* and literary adaptations like *Pride and Prejudice*.
- Recognition: Boyett’s leadership has resulted in the company being recognized as a Helen Hayes Award nominated theatre company, a significant achievement in the competitive Washington D.C./Baltimore regional theatre scene.
- Mission Focus: She remains committed to CTM’s core mission of making challenging classical works accessible and entertaining to a modern audience, while also championing new works and educational initiatives.
1. The Blockbuster 2024-2025 Main Stage Season Lineup
The 2024-2025 season cemented CTM’s status as a top-tier regional theatre, balancing dramatic classics with beloved holiday musicals. This strategic programming choice ensures a wide appeal, drawing theatre-goers from across Maryland and the DC metro area.
A Blend of Tragedy and Holiday Cheer
The season programming, which runs through late 2025, showcases the company’s ability to tackle both intense drama and heartwarming spectacles:
- Shakespearean Power: The season kicked off with the dark and ambitious tragedy, *Macbeth*, running from September 26 to October 13, 2024. This production is a prime example of CTM’s dedication to bold, re-imagined interpretations of Shakespeare’s most famous works.
- Holiday Staples: The latter half of 2024 and the beginning of 2025 were dominated by two highly popular, recurring holiday productions. These shows are critical to the theatre's financial health and community engagement:
- *White Christmas* (Music by Irving Berlin): A dazzling musical that ran from November 29 to December 29, 2024, and is slated to return for the 2025 holiday season (November 28 – December 28, 2025).
- *A Christmas Carol* (by Charles Dickens): The quintessential holiday classic, which ran through December 2024 and is also scheduled for a 2025 run (December 4 – December 27, 2025), continuing its tradition of inspiring charity and good will.
- Theatrical Comedy: The Importance of Being Earnest, a witty and charming play, was a key production that extended through October 19, 2025, providing a refreshing dose of Oscar Wilde's sharp dialogue.
2. The Expanding Footprint: Beyond the Main Stage
CTM’s artistic reach is not confined to its Main Stage plays and musicals. The company maintains a vigorous schedule of performances in its intimate Cabaret Room and has already announced a major musical for 2026, signaling a confident future.
The Dynamic Cabaret Series
The Cabaret Series is a crucial element of CTM’s year-round programming, offering a different, more intimate experience for audiences.
- Frequency: CTM hosts 12 monthly cabarets each year, totaling over 180 annual performances across all venues.
- Experience: These shows, often held on Monday and Tuesday evenings, provide a full-length, new show each month in the dedicated Cabaret Room, featuring talented resident and guest artists.
- Variety: The series showcases a wide range of musical styles and themes, ensuring a fresh experience for loyal patrons and attracting a diverse audience interested in musical theatre and jazz.
Looking Ahead to 2026
The announcement of the 2026 production schedule underscores the theatre’s long-term commitment to high-quality musical theatre. The classic Broadway spectacular, *42nd Street*, has already been confirmed for 2026, promising a large-scale, tap-dancing extravaganza that will bring the excitement of New York City to Annapolis.
3. The Educational Cornerstone: Classic Studio and Community Impact
A core pillar of the Classic Theatre of Maryland’s mission is education and community outreach, a commitment embodied by the Classic Studio program. This focus on training and mentorship ensures the longevity of classical theatre and nurtures the next generation of artists and patrons.
Nurturing Future Talent
The educational offerings are comprehensive, catering to various age groups and skill levels:
- Youth Classes: CTM provides classes for youth from upper elementary through high school, focusing on skill development in acting, voice, and movement.
- Pre-professional Training: The Classic Studio offers pre-professional training and internship programs, giving aspiring performers and theatre technicians real-world experience in a professional regional theatre environment.
- Artist-in-Residence Programs: The theatre actively engages with the wider educational community through Artist-in-Residence Programs and teacher-training workshops, extending its influence beyond the theatre walls.
- Accessibility: CTM is dedicated to making theatre accessible, offering need-based scholarships for students to participate in their educational classes, fulfilling the mission of bringing the "wit and wisdom of classical plays" to a contemporary audience.
By investing in these programs, the Classic Theatre of Maryland is not only producing exceptional performances today but is also actively developing the talent and audience that will sustain the arts in Anne Arundel County and the greater Maryland area for decades to come.
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