Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre

Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre (SSMT) is a professional, non-Equity, not-for-profit theatre organization located in Winchester, Virginia. It operates in residence at Shenandoah University and has been providing the community with affordable musical theatre since its establishment in 1984. The theatre's mission is to offer family-friendly entertainment while also serving as a platform for Shenandoah Conservatory theatre students to gain professional experience before embarking on their careers. SSMT was founded by a team of Shenandoah Conservatory faculty and staff, led by Artistic Director Emeritus Harold Herman. Herman served as the Producing Artistic Director until spring 2015, at which point Thomas Albert took over the role. In 2020, Jeremy Scott Blaustein succeeded Albert as the Producing Artistic Director, continuing the theatre's tradition of excellence. Each season, SSMT presents a series of Broadway musicals, with performances scheduled on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday afternoons, as well as Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings. The theatre has garnered a significant audience, drawing over 20,000 people each season from within a 150-mile radius. SSMT is known for its high-quality productions, which feature full sets and costumes, and are supported by a live orchestra. The company typically consists of around 120 members, including students from Shenandoah Conservatory, students from comparable universities, industry professionals, and creative staff. Over the years, SSMT has produced a wide array of musicals, with recent productions including "42nd Street," "The Bridges of Madison County," "Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella," "Grease," "Ragtime," "Young Frankenstein," "The Sound of Music," "Newsies," "West Side Story," "Mamma Mia," "Oklahoma," "Beauty and the Beast," "Hairspray," "My Fair Lady," "Sweeney Todd," "The Pirates of Penzance," and "Little Shop of Horrors." SSMT is supported by ticket sales and donations, and it maintains a strong commitment to the community by offering accessible and affordable entertainment. The theatre also places a high priority on safety, implementing COVID-19 safety measures to protect both the audience and the performers. The Box Office for SSMT is located at Shenandoah University, 1460 University Drive, Winchester, VA 22601. Patrons can stay updated with news and productions by following SSMT on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, or by subscribing to email updates. As a cultural institution, Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre continues to enrich the lives of its audience and provide invaluable educational experiences for its student performers, upholding its reputation as a cherished summer tradition in the Shenandoah Valley.