Show Schedule

No Holds Bard is a community-driven Shakespeare festival. From a newly-imagined Macbeth set in post-earthquake Haiti circa 2010 through our centerpiece bootleg-style presentation of Romeo and Juliet, we are calling on the support and participation of not only our local artists, but of anyone who has ever felt the glow of the limelight and the call of the boards. There is a little something for everyone in The Z’s Shakespeare festival. In addition to the afore-mentioned plays, we are presenting a concert of some of Shakespeare’s dozens of lyrics set to original music by local composers and songwriters and an evening of re-contextualized and newly-paraphrased classic scenes. Imagine Tybalt and Mercutio dueling it out in high-stakes poker, or young Henry exhorting his band of brothers to make one final pizza delivery.

Running throughout the festival is the psychological drama Macbeth, the Bard’s masterpiece of treachery, betrayal, and slaughter.

We are inviting theater enthusiasts of all ages to take a few classic scenes and re-fashion them for the modern ear.

Bootleg Shakespeare is a true community-sourced production. Our randomly-cast actors have six weeks to learn their lines, create their costumes, and fashion their props– all on their own, without the collaboration of any other actors.

Sit on the edge of your seats as professional champion ice skaters, Broadway level singers, and cirque performers captivate you. Welcome to The Spinning Tales Of Peter Pan & Cinderella On Ice!- Where fairy tales and ice collide!

The Word welcomes diverse voices and fans of poetry, spoken word, and all forms of creative writing.

Introducing TasteBreakers, the music scene’s happy hour. Pop over to The Z after work to hear our favorite music trendsetters and have a drink on us with your ticket purchase!

Join us in the Studio Theater for a Stand Up Comedy show, featuring talented local comedians and hosted by Plan B Comedy. 

A new musical about Edgar Cayce from the writing team of Anton Dudley and Michael Cooper, the creators of Second to Nun.

GreenWolf combines Magic, theatrical storytelling, quick-witted comedy, and a few death-defying feats with the beauty of Irish culture to create a unique theatrical experience that proves Magic isn’t just for children.

Documentary film. From the streets of Minneapolis, the aboriginal lands of Australia, and the killing fields of Cambodia come the powerful stories of three people who had the courage to step out of the haunting, tragic darkness of the past, risking everything to reach the light of their own compassion.

Greetings, fellow science fanatics! Welcome to SciTech Industries. Step into our lab and join us for an experiment or two!

Join us at The Z and see our resident comedy company deliver their very own unique, fast paced and always funny Comedy Show. 

Next to Normal, with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt, explores how one suburban household copes with crisis and mental illness.

Join us in the Studio Theater for a Stand Up Comedy show, featuring talented local comedians and hosted by Plan B Comedy. 

Documentary film. Pizza, A Love Story is not just a tale of three restaurants but of three families that have the power to polarize, captivate, and delight. As we say, pizza wasn't invented in New Haven, it was perfected there. Just wait 'til you get a taste…

“King of the Wild Frontier” is a name befitting a Tennessee hero with a coonskin cap… but what if there are not one, not two, but three such heroes competing for the title?

The Opulent 80’s features three performers exploring the materialism, nuclear threats, and angst of the 1980’s.

The Virginia Sports Hall of Fame will officially welcome the Class of 2020, as 8 new members will be inducted, Saturday April 25 at 7 p.m.

Join us at The Z and see our resident comedy company deliver their very own unique, fast paced and always funny Comedy Show. 

Jen Kober is the star performer and recipient of NPR “Snap Judgment Comedic Performance Of The Year” Award! The Girl Scout Cookie Caper is the new Snap classic and has toured to sold out houses across the country.

A magical journey depicting India and its myriad of dance forms – the expressive Bharatanatyam from the south to the vibrant and energetic Bhangra from the north.

Join us in the Studio Theater for a Stand Up Comedy show, featuring talented local comedians and hosted by Plan B Comedy. 

With music described as “old-timey,” the East Tennessee native adds her own unique contemporary blend of roots music that is equal parts Americana, Bluegrass, Gospel, Blues, and Jazz. Critics have compared her to a young Janis Joplin, Iris Dement, and Dolly Parton.

Join us at The Z and see our resident comedy company deliver their very own unique, fast paced and always funny Comedy Show. 

Our resident playwrights are teaming with local actors and directors in presenting complete scenes from new pieces.

Award-winning jazz vocalist Alexis Cole may be the most talented singer to ever hold a top-secret military clearance.