Studio Theatre

15 Questions in 15 Minutes with Christopher Borg

Originally trained as an actor by the late Kenneth Washington at the University of Utah, and then in the classics as an Acting Fellow under the tutelage of Michael Kahn at the Shakespeare Theatre in...

Comical imagining of Ben Franklin’s failings as a father in ‘Franklinland’ at NYC’s EST

In his comedy Franklinland, which debuted at Chicago’s Jackalope Theatre in 2018, and is now playing a limited engagement at NYC’s EST (Ensemble Studio Theatre, where it received a workshop production...

The 2023 Pulitzer Prize for Drama goes to ‘English’ by Sanaz Toossi

The Pulitzer Prizes and Fellowships – established at NYC’s Columbia University in 1917, under the 1904 will of the Hungarian-born newspaper publisher Joseph Pulitzer as an incentive to excellence –...

15 Questions in 15 Minutes with Jamyl Dobson

Jamyl Dobson, a NYC-based Pittsburgh native – as was Andy Warhol, who originated the well-known phrase “famous for fifteen minutes” – is breaking the clock with his acclaimed work on both the stage...

Nominations announced for NYC’s 2022 Drama Desk Awards

Nominations for the 66th Annual Drama Desk Awards, voted on and presented by theater critics, journalists, editors, and publishers covering the theater, were announced this afternoon, Monday, May 16,...

Off-Broadway’s Theater Breaking Through Barriers to present free short play series ‘Out of the Box’ at Theatre Row

Now celebrating its 43rd season, Theater Breaking Through Barriers – the only professional Off-Broadway theater company dedicated to advancing artists and developing audiences of people with...

In miniature, two children seek safety, in ‘Flight’ at Studio Theatre

The immersive journey of two young Afghan refugees, an unforgettable tour de force.

Inside ‘Birds of North America’ at Mosaic with its cast and director

Regina Aquino, David Bryan Jackson, and Serge Seiden talk about time and its loss and life’s precious moments.

Joseph Ritsch to perform as his drag persona, Sunrize

For three nights only, a loving satire of contemporary musical theater divas created by the Rep Stage producing artistic director.

Getting the 411 on ‘1-2-3 Manhunt’ from Ilene Kristen and Tony DiMurro

On the edge of a tenement rooftop, a smackdown occurs between two vastly different natives of the changing Lower East Side. After things get physical between the middle-aged old-school Italian back...

Arts on the Horizon brings back ‘By the Seashore’ outdoors

The sensory-filled production takes children age 0–3 on a magical journey to the beach.

Studio Acting Conservatory celebrates new home with open house August 28

A landmark acting school settles into a former church—home of the long-lost Black Last Supper—and welcomes the return of in-person classes.

The Edge of the Universe Players 2 to present audio play #2

Memories and mortality echo through ‘Laughter in the Shadow of the Trees’—a rediscovered BBC radio play by American playwright James Prideaux.

Studio Theatre to stage eclectic five-play season in revamped building

UPDATED WITH RUNDATES. Highlights include the 2021 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, a three-dimensional graphic novel, a world premiere, and the new Victor Shargai Theatre.

In Studio’s lyrical ‘Tender Age,’ our country’s crime against migrant kids

George Brant’s play lays out in inescapable terms what the inhumane policy of separating children from their parents means for the moral state of Americans.

Timely new play from Studio Theatre to confront U.S. immigration crisis

George Brandt’s ‘Tender Age’ looks back to Trump-era policies to ask how much has truly changed.

Studio Theatre’s ‘Flow’ feels like a hip-hop feast for the senses

Director Psalmayene 24 and actor-poet Justin Weaks join forces again in Flow, bridging the gap between Old Skool rappers and new age Flowetry performers to trace the tragic footsteps of seven...

A daughter’s family dramas drive a hilarious and moving ‘2.5 Minute Ride’

“2.5 minutes is a really long time on a roller coaster if you are having a good time. If you think it’s killing your father it’s a really, really long time.” —Lisa Kron in 2.5 Minute Ride The first of...

A white cop’s shots at Black man echo through ‘Until the Flood’ at Studio

Dael Orlandersmith’s Until the Flood, now an on-demand production from Studio Theatre, brings the viewer into the conversation. You couldn’t be more active as a listener in this simple, seamless...

Studio Theatre’s raw, audacious ‘Cock’ is one big deal

Set me free why don’t cha babe Get out my life why don’t cha babe ‘Cause you don’t really love me You just keep me hangin’ on These unflinching lyrics floated through my brain as I took in Studio...

Daniel J. Watts, only child of a single mother, grows up proud in ‘The Jam’

Daniel J. Watts’s The Jam: Only Child—the second feature production in Signature Theatre’s 2021 season—is now streaming on demand. Written and performed by 2020 Tony Award–nominated Daniel J. Watts...

Metro update: Without Biden bailout, slashed service still likely

We at DCMTA continue to track the WMATA budget and any service-cut issues, given Metro’s critical importance to the survival of live performing arts. Based upon our reach-out to arts leadership, Metro...

New biography of Tom Stoppard, prolific playwright of ideas

Hermione Lee’s biography of Tom Stoppard is a comprehensive look at the life and work of one of the English language’s most accomplished playwrights. Lee, a prolific biographer of 20th-century...

Ditch the “Is this theater?” debate, by Jordan Friend and Gregory Keng Strasser

Gregory Keng Strasser (producing director): Hey, Jordan. Jordan Friend (artistic director): Hey, Greg. I guess we have to pretend like we don’t talk to each other every day. Greg: So. 4615 GO — where...

Studio Theatre goes all-digital, sets streaming dates through July

Given the ongoing pandemic and challenges to safely presenting live performances, Studio Theatre has taken its five-play season entirely digital. Productions will be filmed in Studio’s intimate spaces...

Studio’s free new audio plays— ‘Kings’ and ‘I Hate It Here’—available now

Studio Theatre looks back at the politics and precariousness of 2020 through two intimate and immediate Studio in Your Ears audio plays available for free now on its website. Studio’s first-ever audio...

Studio’s bold and smart ‘I Hate It Here’ is a seismic theatrical experience

Ike Holter is a trickster playwright so right for our quicksand-ridden times. In his new audio play commissioned by Studio Theatre (he also directed), Holter creates a grand hall of mirrors full of...

Elegies for empty stages, by Whitney White and Psalmayene 24

Remembering The Amen Corner at Shakespeare Theatre Company By Whitney White with Daniel Soule Working on James Baldwin’s The Amen Corner was one of the most fulfilling artistic experiences I have ever...

The Breath Project resists racial injustice with free virtual festival

The Breath Project—a new theatrical initiative formed in response to racial injustice against Black people—will stream as a free virtual festival October 24 and 25, 2020. In partnership with Studio...

Reginald Douglas and David Muse on how Studio Theatre is “doing the work”

The ground feels as if American theater might actually be shifting in the direction of change for Blacks, Indigenous people, and People of Color. Here in the DMV, Studio Theatre is grappling with what...

“What this March means to me at this moment in America”: Now with all videos

Studio Theatre commissioned seven Black artists who have appeared on its stages to create artistic responses to their experience at the Commitment March on Washington, August 28, 2020. In these...

Studio Theatre enlists Black artists for March and The Breath Project

Studio Theatre has commissioned seven Black artists who are attending the 57th anniversary March on Washington Friday, August 28, to create artistic responses that bear witness to their experience at...

Update: Psalm’s Salon to feature women of color, Studio Theatre extends series

Studio Theatre‘s series of digital salons—Psalm‘s Salons at Studio—continues its exploration of equity in theater on August 20 at 5 pm with Natalie Graves Tucker, Farah Lawal Harris, and Lady Dane...

Hot button issues for Black theater: A roundtable on revolution

Juneteenth 2020, Washington, DC—In response to the historic Black Lives Matter movement, DC Theater Arts has committed to offer our communications channel to help amplify the BIPOC voices (Black,...

Lobbies closed by COVID reopen to support #BlackLivesMatter

“We call on theaters to #OpenYourLobby in support of protestors,” said the impassioned post on social media. Do not equate the property violence of protestors to the massive, state-sanctioned violence...

The vision and resurrection of Studio Acting Conservatory

When Joy Zinoman—the doyenne of DC theater and founder of Studio Acting Conservatory—describes the training center’s new home as a “sacred place,” she’s not exaggerating. “Theater is my religion,” she...

Studio Theatre welcomes ten new commissioned artists

Building on over 40 years of producing powerful contemporary theater, Studio Theatre is embarking on the largest round of commissioning in its history. They are awarding grants to ten...

Gwydion Suilebhan: “Now is the time for artists to ask The Deep Why”

By Gwydion Suilebhan In 1960, a Turkish immigrant named Erol Onaran arrived in the United States with a whopping $32 in his pocket and a fair bit of skill as a television repair person. Erol was a man...

Artists Who Inspire! #3: Jordan Friend

Welcome to the third installment of Artists Who Inspire! During this unprecedented shutdown of live theater, DCMTA will use this space to lift up local theater artists who are finding ways to remain...

DCMTA Spring 2020 Staff Favorites: Outstanding Performances in a Professional Production

Normally we who cover theater for DC Theater Arts collect our favorites as the year draws to a close, but this has not been a normal year. In mid-March the 2020 season was interrupted by a pandemic...

A harrowing ‘Pass Over’ powerfully performed at Studio Theatre

There is a drama on stage right now at Studio Theatre—Pass Over by Antoinette Nwandu—so harrowing it will stop your heart. In it, Christopher Lovell and Jalen Gilbert give two of the most powerful...

Caught between worlds in ‘Kill Move Paradise’

Don’t let those off-putting promos for Kill Move Paradise at Rep Stage stop you from turning out for its solid regional premiere at Howard Community College. This 2016 piece of theater is less a...

DC theater community mourns passing of Victor Shargai

Update: February 13, 2020: The Washington theatre community remains in mourning over the loss of Victor Shargai, long-time theatreWashington board chair, theater lover, and philanthropist, who passed...

Washington Theatre to honor Victor Shargai with a region-wide dedication on February 14

The following news was released today by theatreWashington: The Washington theater community remains in mourning over the loss of Victor Shargai, long-time theatreWashington board chair, theater...

Theater and Policy Salon discusses Attainment, Fulfillment, and Resilience following January 30 performance of ‘Pipeline’ at Studio Theatre

Next Thursday, January 30, please join Theater and Policy Salon for a discussion on Attainment, Fulfillment, and Resilience at Studio Theatre following the 8 pm show of Pipeline. The panel discussion...

In the ‘Pipeline’ at Studio Theatre, a Black son’s legacy of rage

The set for Dominique Morisseau’s Pipeline at Studio Theatre could not be any whiter. Its white walls of freshly painted concrete blocks span the breadth of the stage and extend around the audience....

Mother and son fight to stay afloat in ‘Pipeline’ at Studio Theatre

The pipeline in the title of Dominique Morisseau’s play is the “school-to-prison pipeline” affecting young African-American men. Fueled, as Studio Theatre’s dramaturgical notes explain, by a...

For actor Justin Weaks, the diverse content produced in DC theaters was reason enough to move here

In his five years on DC stages, actor Justin Weaks has played an impressive array of characters written by contemporary African American playwrights. It is a dream he feared would never become reality...

Studio Theatre names Reginald L. Douglas Associate Artistic Director

Studio Theatre and Artistic Director David Muse are pleased to announce that Reginald L. Douglas will join the organization as its new Associate Artistic Director later this month. Douglas comes to...

Playwright Jonathan Spector on the shadows that lurk behind the laughter in ‘Eureka Day.’

There’s no doubt about it. Eureka Day is a very funny play. The show, now having its DC debut at Mosaic Theater, features five perfectly-attuned actors, a director who understands comedy, a script...