On August 27 and 28, Spooky Action Theater presents FREE workshop readings of Motherless Children by Jenn Tash. Part of their New Works In Action series, Motherless Children is a fully-staged workshop. If you are interested in attending the event, email Steve at smkriz@spookyaction.org. Spooky Action performs at The Universalist National Memorial Church at 1810 16th St. NW (at S St).

Arena Stage announced an open call for submissions for its 2017 Playwrights’ Arena, a year-long program which invites a small group of up to five local theater makers to convene monthly with Arena artistic staff to investigate their artistic process to develop their dramaturgical practice while creating new work. In its third year, Arena Stage is experimenting with the definition of playmaking by inviting actors, directors or designers—who also write their own work—to apply for this program. Applications due by noon Sept. 23. Full application requirements at Arena Stage.

On Monday August 15 at 7pm Solas Nua will have a reading of the play BogBoy by Deirdre Kinahan, author of their recent Wild Sky and Moment (Studio Theatre). A tale of two lost souls looking for redemption unfolds alongside a decades-old mystery. Directed by Matt Torney, FREE, and featuring Live Irish music beginning at 6:30pm. At Kelly's Irish Times (14 F Street, NW, use Union Station Metro).

Cast members of Arena Stage's BORN FOR THIS: THE BEBE WINANS STORY hold a a free actor's salon August 8 (7:30pm) at Arena Stage in response to the killings of Alton Sterling, Philando Castile, Officers Lorne Ahrens, Michael Krol, Michael J. Smith, Brent Thompson, Patrick Zamarripa, Montrell Jackson, Matthew Gerald and Brad Garafola. Join Born For This cast members Dyllon Burnside and Kirsten Wyatt for HOLD UP THE LIGHT addressing the pain of our past, the reality of our present and the hope for our future. The evening features performances by the cast of Born for This, local DC artists, and Tony Award nominee Saycon Sengbloh (Eclipsed, as well as CenterStage's Marley, Broadway's FELA!, Holler If Ya Hear Me).

Rorschach Theatre presents THESMOPHORIA: A Hellbent Adventure, a one-night only benefit performance and party August 13 (7:30pm). Enjoy this immersive performance experience created by the artists of Rorschach Theatre. Doors at 7pm and the performance begins as the sun begins to set.

Unexpected Stage Company's Friday, July 29 performance (7:30p) of Deb Margolin's 8 STOPS will benefit Red Wiggler Community Farm, with half of all ticket sales for that evening going to support this local non-profit, a 12-acre organic farm where people with and without developmental disabilities come together to work, learn, and grow healthy food.

Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre will conduct workshops in DC while they're here with their show We Know How You Die thru July 31 at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company. Workshops introduce the basics of how to perform longform improv scenes, with focal points that run parallel to UCBT’s Improv 101 curriculum in NYC, limited capacity, dates are Sun, 7/17 (2-5PM), Sun, 7/24 (2-5PM), Tues, 7/26 (3-6PM), Thurs, 7/28 (3-6PM)

LIMITED TICKETS. Infinity Theatre presents Broadway Night on Friday, July 22 at 8pm - featuring popular songs from the newest musicals currently playing on Broadway to classic favorites in a stripped-down yet dynamic cabaret. Tickets are $25, one-night only.

Auditions for Synetic Theater's Teen Company, a year-round training program dedicated to developing the next generation of artistic performers, will take place Sat, July 16 1-3pm and Sun, July 17 11am-2pm. To request an audition, email your name, audition date, head shot, and resume to:
tori@synetictheater.org