Theater in the Open 2024: Re-Discover

At TITO, nature and art are intertwined, historic spaces are reanimated, and narratives come to life on stage. Rejoice with us as Petrushka remixes Little Red Riding Hood, rediscover a woman's 1781 interpretation of Taming of the Shrew, and reexamine the classic comedy Twelfth Night.
This season, TITO retells old tales for modern times.


OUR MAINSTAGE SEASON

A Christmas Carol Panto!

A unique spin on your favorite holiday ghost story

By Edward F. Speck & Josh Shack
The Firehouse Center for the Arts, Newburyport, MA

Tickets on sale now! Purchase through the link below

Previous Performances this Season

Whipped Up

April 22 at 2:00 PM
April 23 at 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM 
Newburyport Public Library Community Room

An interactive show for the trickiest of audience members - babies!

For babies ages 0-2 years and their caregivers/buddies (ages 8+). We ask that ages 2-7 years old not attend. Space is limited, please reserve pay-what-you-will tickets in advance!

PETRUSHKA and the CATERPILLAR

Everyone's favorite clown returns!
May 11 & 12, 2024 at 2:00 pm
May 18 & 19, 2024 at 2:00 pm
Maudslay State Park in Newburyport, MA
Follow the flags to the play site!

What happens when your favorite stories need a new ending? Everyone's favorite clown upends iconic fables and fairytales in our signature storytelling style – with tons of imagination, humor, and heart. Join Petrushka and the gang as they retell old stories for our times!

This program is supported by grants from the Local Cultural Councils in:
Amesbury, Merrimac, Newbury, Salisbury, Rowley, Georgetown, and West Newbury

A Bold Stroke for a Husband

All the hilarity & hijinks of Shakespearean comedy with modern feminist attitudes

By Hannah Cowley
Directed by Frances Hellums
July 20 &21 at 4:00 pm (preview performances)
July 27 &28 at 4:00 pm
Newburyport, MA

On tour:
August 10 at 5 pm | Orchard House, Concord, MA

August 17 at 5 pm | Eustis Estate, Milton, MA

August 18 at 4 pm Maudslay State Park, Newburyport, MA

August 24 at 5 pm | Orchard House, Concord, MA

August 25 at 5 pm | Langdon House, Portsmouth, NH

Circus Smirkus: The Imaginarium

August 2 at 2 pm and 7 pm
August 3 at 1 pm and 6 pm

The annual Big Top Tour returns to the Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm in Newbury on August 2nd and 3rd. Four shows over two days with some of the most talented young circus performers in America—all proceeds help benefit Theater in the Open’s programs and scholarships. We’ll see you out at the farm!
Tickets go on sale May 1st through Circus Smirkus.

William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night

The classic comedy – reexamined

September 13, 5:00 PM | Rocky Hill Meeting House

September 14, 5:00 PM | Rocky Hill Meeting House

September 15, 5:00 PM | Rocky Hill Meeting House

September 17, 7:00 PM | Ipswich Ale Brewery
Doors open at 6 | Special menu – kitchen closes 9:00 PM

September 20, 5:00 PM | Lawrence Public Library

September 21, 3:00 PM | Haverhill Public Library

Enduring Hawthorne

Join The House of the Seven Gables, NPS, Essex Heritage, The Salem Athenaeum, and Theater in the Open as we celebrate Salem Literary Fest with the 5th presentation of Enduring Hawthorne!

September 6, time TBA
The House of the Seven Gables
115 Derby Street in Salem
Cost: Free – $50

Maudslay is Haunted

Our annual haunting of Maudslay State Park returns this October for more frightening fun and giggling ghouls! This family friendly stroll through the park is our largest fundraiser of the year—grab your costumes and join us for some spooky, Halloween fun!

October 19th and 20th (Raindate October 26th)

Gates open 1:30 pm to 4 pm.