What We've Heard
POLITICS, REVOLUTION, AND ART: A THEATRICAL SYMPOSIUM takes place Sat, November 5 at 3pm at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, presented by The Laboratory for Global Performance and Politics around the US premiere of Kiss by Guillermo Calderón at Woolly Mammoth and the closing weekend of Olney Theatre's The Diary of Anne Frank, a classic play relevant now more than ever. Join artists, activists, policymakers, and thought leaders for an interdisciplinary symposium exploring the theatricality of global politics, featuring internationally celebrated Chilean playwright Guillermo Calderón (Kiss at Woolly Mammoth), this daylong event will explore the relationship between theatre, political activism, and global politics through in-depth panel discussions, a film screening, excerpts from Calderón’s other work, and more! Inspired by the questions that Kiss poses about global responsibility and the role of the artist as activist and interpreter.
The Capital Fringe Festival is is now accepting applications for 2017. To encourage non-traditional, risk-taking productions into the 12th Annual Capital Fringe Festival July 6-31, they are adding in the Lottery of Chance. Applications received October 28 to November 11 at 11:59pm EST will automatically be accepted into the 2017 Fringe Festival. Each application received from November 12 to January 9 at 5pm EST will be entered into the Lottery of Chance.
Ghost stories in a cemetery or in an historic church! Tales of Mystery and the Imagination Poems and Stories of Edgar Allan Poe are brought to you by Guillotine Theatre. Each year they gather to read works from America's 19th century Master of Horror. And every year something supernatural happens. Events are Fri, October 28 (7:30pm) at Grace Church Georgetown (1041 Wisconsin Ave, NW) and Sat, October 29 (7:30pm) in the Receiving Vault at Ivy Hill Cemetery (2823 King St, Alexandria VA 22302; Parking in the cemetery grounds). $10 suggested donation.
Join Synetic Theater for it's 10th Annual Vampire's Ball on Friday, October 28 (8pm) following a performance of their hellish adaptation of Dante's Inferno. After traveling the nine circles of hell with Dante, guests will dance the night away to music courtesy of Resident Composer and Halloween DJ, Konstantine Lortkipanidze. The event will include an open bar, light appetizers, and a costume contest with fabulous Synetic prizes. Tickets $50-70.
On Saturday October 29 at 5pm in the Great Hall, The Atlas Performing Arts Center will host a presentation of The Every28Hours Plays. Produced by Every28Hours producer, Jeff Kirkman III and curated and directed by Sandra Holloway, Artistic Director of the Atlas' City@Peace program, the event will be performed by DC’s City@Peace members and alumni. Interactive talkback follows. Supported in partnership with Woolly Mammoth Theater, part of a national civil rights theater initiative. Joining forces with theaters and universities around the nation this month, Atlas’ City@Peace Program, whose roots are in social justice, will give voice to the heartache and the heartbeat that make up the collection of these plays confronting the murdering of black bodies by police and vigilantes.
Only 3 more chances to experience Pinky Swear Productions' Pinky Dreadful. Part fundraiser, part hell-raiser, they're taking on Halloween with blood-curdling stories, creepy performance art, and an old-school Halloween party, Pinky Swear-style. Only 20 tickets per date in various locations in Petworth, Falls Church and Eastern Market. Admission includes performance, refreshments, and hob-nobbin' with goblins and ghouls. Costumes mandatory! Don't have one? Rent one of theirs at the door!
Studio Theatre patrons can see a great show and support a great cause. Purchase tickets to Staceyann Chin's MotherStruck through the TodayTix app and they'll donate $5/ticket to two charities of Staceyann's choice, Whitman-Walker Health, from October 12 through October 16, and Planned Parenthood, from October 19 through October 23. Learn more on TodayTix.
The International Centre for Women Playwrights has honored area theatres Imagination Stage, NextStop Theatre Company, Rep Stage, Round House Theatre, Theater Alliance and Baltimore's CenterStage with its 50/50 Applause Award, which is given to theaters that produce fifty percent or more plays by women playwrights in their 2015–2016 season. They are among 107 theatres around the world to receive the 50/50 Applause Award. The mission of the International Centre for Women Playwrights is to promote and support women dramatists around the world. The 50/50 Applause Award was created in 2012 to increase awareness and congratulate theatres that produce plays by female playwrights.
Signature Theatre has announced their second annual SigWorks: Musical Theater Lab open call for submissions. Two musicals will be chosen for a two-week development workshop during the summer of 2017, and each project will receive public readings at the end of each week. The projects, under leadership of Signature’s Director of New Works Joe Calarco, will work with a director, music director, professional actors, a stage manager, and a dramaturge. Accepting submissions of musicals that have not been professionally produced until December 1. For guidelines and requirements.
"Theatrical sELECTIONS" is a free, politically-charged play reading series presented Oct. 3 - Nov. 7 by Arena Stage, the Kennedy Center, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Signature Theatre and Studio Theatre. In the weeks leading up to the nation’s presidential election, these DC-area theatres will collaborate to bring politics and drama to the stage. Each theatre will host a reading of a play they feel reflects the country’s current political and social environment, and will consider political moments from burgeoning fascism in the 1930s to partisan horse-trading in modern America. Information & details at Shakespeare Theatre Company.
On October 10, Round House Theatre and Olney Theatre Center are taking part in the AFTER ORLANDO new-play project. An anthology series of two- to five-minute works curated by Missing Bolts Productions and NoPassports Theatre Alliance, AFTER ORLANDO will present dramatic responses to the Pulse nightclub tragedy in theaters across the globe. Participate in this international conversation, a testament to the spirit of dialogue and debate that Tony Kushner honors and embodies in Angels in America. The event is FREE with suggested donations supporting the OneOrlando Fund, which directly distributes aid to victims’ families and survivors in an open, transparent, and fair manner. More info.
Join the casts from past musicals at Keegan Theatre and guest artists as they join the national rally to end gun violence on Sunday, Sept. 25 11am-8pm in Logan Circle. As part of the Concert Across America to End Gun Violence, the full day will feature concerts, theatre and spoken word performances, art installations, and activism. Info on Facebook
Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company brings back solo performer Mike Daisey and THE TRUMP CARD Oct. 25-30. Mike Daisey takes on the reigning world heavyweight of self-mythologizing, the short-fingered vulgarian who captured a nation’s heart through bullying, charm, one-syllable explosions, and occasionally telling the brutal truth: Donald J. Trump.
The National Players, America's longest running touring company, based at Olney Theatre Center, presents THE GIVER Sept. 14 - 25. This modern classic, adapted by Eric Coble from the Newberry Award-winning book by Lois Lowry, explores the risks and rewards of a full life. The Giver speaks to all ages, from elementary audiences to adults.
City Kids Theater, a children's theater and learning center in Georgetown, in partnership with The National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts, presents CASHELL ALLEY: Kids Kick It Old School by Ray Ficca and Raya Kenney on Sept. 24, 25, Oct. 1 & 2. Performances at Georgetown Lutheran Church
1556 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, tickets are $15.
In conjunction with their production of Blackberry Daze, MetroStage will host three cabarets by performers from the production on Mondays at 7:30pm. TC Carson Sept 26, Roz White October 3 and Yvette Spears October 10. Tickets are $25, or purchase all three for Call 703-548-9044 to reserve, tickets cash only.
1825 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 100
Washington, DC 20009
+1 202-337-4572