THE GOAT OR, WHO IS SYLVIA?
Playing Now Through May 3, 2026
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THE GOAT

OR, WHO IS SYLVIA?

BY EDWARD ALBEE

DIRECTED BY KEVIN CLARKE

Martin has it all – a successful architecture career, loving wife, and son – but he also has a salacious secret. Martin is secretly in love… with a goat. Edward Albee’s Tony Award-winning tragedy edges the line of morality while exploring the limits of love and what is considered taboo in a modern society.

Notes Toward a Definition of Tragedy

RUN TIME: 1 hour & 45 minutes with no intermission

Learn more about our sliding scale, $15 MAD Tickets and other discounts here.

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DIGITAL PROGRAM
SCREEN-READER FRIENDLY PROGRAM
dates & times
CONTENT ADVISORIES

THE GOAT- Content Advisories

Shotgun Players is equally committed to presenting challenging work and taking care of our patrons.

Content advisories are a tool to help our patrons choose how they want to engage with each play. While we have tried to cover the most common sensitivities, the list below is not exhaustive. Some listed advisories refer to lines only briefly mentioned in the plays, whereas others are major themes of the work. These advisories will be updated regularly as plays are developed in rehearsal and production.

If you have any questions, we encourage you to call or email the box office, and we’re happy to provide more context. (510.841.6500, ext. 303 or [email protected]).

This production includes:

Theatrical effects, including a strobe lighting effect, water-based haze, and a sudden gust of wind
References to bestiality
References to rape and child sex abuse
References to consensual sex with sex workers
Depictions of homophobia, including the use of slurs 
Depictions of violence between humans
Realistic prop blood

[CONTAINS MAJOR SPOILERS]

OPT-IN CONTENT WARNINGS [CONTAINS MAJOR SPOILERS]
An incestuous kiss
A real taxidermied animal corpse with fake blood
Implied offstage violence to an animal; including murder of that animal

season sponsors

Karen Elizabeth Austin
Donald Kaufman
Craig & Kathy Moody
Russell Nelson
Les & Sue Polgar
Ragesh Tangri & Daralyn Durie
Bibi Tiphane
Richard & Kate West

production sponsors

Michelle Barbour & Christian Baudry
Joe Kane
Chard Nelson & Jan Berman
Patricia & Merrill Shanks
David Shepherd
Jon Wagner & Lynne Hollingsworth

Scott Leverette - Realtor

MAD NIGHT

Are you 25 or under? Don’t miss MAD Night! $15 gets you a beer (21+) or soda, pizza, and a ticket!

thurs, APRIL 23
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POST-SHOW CONVOS


Thursdays & Sundays
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POST-SHOW CONVERSATIONS

Stick around after Thursday and Sunday performances for a 30-minute discussion with Shotgun’s creative team. We’ll dive into the play’s themes and aesthetics, and we’d love to hear your thoughts. It’s a chance to connect, reflect, and engage with fellow audience members.

The bar is open!

AUDIO-DESCRIBED PERFORMANCE
Sun, APRIL 12

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audio-described performances

During these performances, blind and low vision patrons may use headset devices provided by Gravity Access to listen to a live audio description of the show. The narration guides the listener through the performance with concise, objective descriptions of new scenes, lighting, costumes, facial expressions / body language, and “sight gags,” all slipped in between portions of the actors’ dialogue or songs.

HAPTIC TOURS

Pre-show haptic tours allow blind and low-vision patrons to experience the space, performers, costumes, and props through touch, their own movement, hearing, and kinesthetic senses. Usually lasting 20 to 30 minutes, these tours lay a multi-sensory foundation to support the audio description. Doors for pre-show Haptic Tours open at 12:45 PM for check-in. We recommend arriving early as tours begin promptly at 1 PM. The audio-described performances start at 2 PM.

psychoanalytical talk with daniel yu







sun, april 26
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SPECIAL TALK with Daniel Yu, LCSW

Who are They, Who are We, and Who are You in Albee’s The Goat:
A Participatory Discussion through a psychoanalytic lens with Daniel Yu, LCSW. Tickets required for the 2 PM performance. The 4pm discussion is open to all, no tickets required.

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preview performances

Sat, March 21
Sun, March 22
Thurs, March 26
Fri, March 27

OPENING NIGHT

Sat, March 28

MAD NIGHT

Are you 25 or under? Don’t miss MAD Night! $15 gets you a beer (21+) or soda, pizza, and a ticket!

thurs, APRIL 2
What’s THIS?

GET TICKETS
POST-SHOW CONVOS
Thursdays & Sundays
What’s THIS?

POST-SHOW CONVERSATIONS

Stick around after Thursday and Sunday performances for a 30-minute discussion with Shotgun’s creative team. We’ll dive into the play’s themes and aesthetics, and we’d love to hear your thoughts. It’s a chance to connect, reflect, and engage with fellow audience members.

The bar is open!

MASKED-AUDIENCE PERFORMANCE
Sun, MARCH 29

What’s THIS?

masked-audience performances

We understand that there are many members of our community who prefer to gather in masked spaces. To make our performances accessible to as many people as possible, we offer select Sunday “Masked Audience” performances. Food and drink will still be available at our concessions and can be enjoyed outside, but there is no eating or drinking inside the theater during these performances as all audience members, ushers, and staff will be required to wear masks. Performers will be unmasked while on stage during the performance. Upcoming masked-audience performances

ASL-INTERPRETED PERFORMANCE
THURS, April 2

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ASL-INTERPRETED PERFORMANCE

We provide ASL (American Sign Language)-interpreted performances at specific performances. ASL interpreters will be visible from every seat in the theater. To access exclusive seats with the closest views of the interpreters, please use code access code “ASL” to unlock seats in the reserved section of the theater.

GET TICKETS TO THE ASL PERFORMANCE
AUDIO-DESCRIBED PERFORMANCE
Sun, APRIL 12

What’s THIS?

audio-described performances

During these performances, blind and low vision patrons may use headset devices provided by Gravity Access to listen to a live audio description of the show. The narration guides the listener through the performance with concise, objective descriptions of new scenes, lighting, costumes, facial expressions / body language, and “sight gags,” all slipped in between portions of the actors’ dialogue or songs.

HAPTIC TOURS

Pre-show haptic tours allow blind and low-vision patrons to experience the space, performers, costumes, and props through touch, their own movement, hearing, and kinesthetic senses. Usually lasting 20 to 30 minutes, these tours lay a multi-sensory foundation to support the audio description. Doors for pre-show Haptic Tours open at 12:45 PM for check-in. We recommend arriving early as tours begin promptly at 1 PM. The audio-described performances start at 2 PM.

LET’S BREAK IT DOWN!

[literally]

TUE, APRIL 14
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LET’S BREAK IT DOWN – THE GOAT

Description: Rage, if channeled correctly, can be cathartic! Stevie, a character in The Goat, processes her anger by smashing many things in her house. We welcome you to join us at the Shotgun Studios in our very own RAGE ROOM to take out any unprocessed frustrations

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SHOW PACKAGES

Subscribers are the lifeblood of our organization. The stronger we are, the better our theatre. Better theatre makes a better world.

SAVE MONEY – Big savings! From 19 – 50% off single ticket prices!

YOU CHOOSE – We set aside the best seats for you and your guests. As a subscriber, you get first access to seating before single ticket buyers.

ULTIMATE FLEXIBILITY – Life is full of surprises, right? With 24 hours notice, Shotgun Players subscribers can change their reservations without annoying fees.

GOOD VIBES – Your subscription pays for the upfront costs of producing high-quality theater. Feel amazing about supporting a theater company that makes exciting art, only hires local artists, and is affordable to your friends and neighbors!

2026 subscription packages
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COMPLIMENTARY TICKET FOR SUBSCRIBING BEFORE DECEMBER 13✓✓✓✓
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FREE TICKET EXCHANGES UP TO 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE✓✓✓✓✓
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