Play readings and workshops offer a chance to see exciting new work at various stages of development. Want to see the next big thing while it’s still being crafted? Get in on the ground level and see the creative process in action. Featuring new plays and musicals by local and national artists, here are the upcoming play readings and workshops in the DMV.
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African American Collective Theater (ACT) marks its 32nd anniversary with its 2024 DC Black Pride Weekend Showcase, Sunday, May 26 at the Undercroft Theatre, 900 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC. Over 25 talented local “ACT’ers” present readings of new LGBTQ+ themed short plays by ACT founder Alan Sharpe, with a matinee at 4:30 PM and a different show at 7:30 PM. Audiences can attend either or both shows! Tickets range from $20-$30 and are available on Eventbrite here.
The National Edgar Allan Poe Theatre presents Doomsday 2024, its third annual 24-hour marathon public reading of Poe’s best-loved poems and stories. Streaming live from the Carroll Mansion (800 E Lombard St, Baltimore, MD) from Saturday, May 18 at 12:00 PM to Sunday, May 19 at 12:00 PM, the event includes open access to the Poe Death Exhibit by Poe Baltimore, Poe trivia, art and writing activities for all ages, and of course, the reading. Free and open to the public; more details available here.
In conjunction with its world premiere of Julia May Jonas‘ dark comedy Problems Between Sisters, Studio Theatre presents a one-night-only public staged reading of Sam Shepard‘s True West, the text that the show reimagines, Tuesday, May 14 at 7:30 PM. Tickets are $5 and available here.
Nu Sass and The Sirens of Sin present Mystery Sirens Theater 69000, an original sci-fi musical burlesque revue, Sunday, May 5 at 7:00 PM and Sunday, May 12 at 7:00 PM at DC Comedy Loft and Bier Baron Tavern, 1523 22nd St NW, Washington, DC. Tickets are $25 and available here; use code 5OFF to get $5 off your ticket.
UMBC Theatre presents Green Theatre Revolution, a festival of new plays and devised works about climate justice, Friday, May 3 through Sunday, May 5. Student-created work will be performed alongside excerpts from Lady Macbeth and Lady Macduff Tick Tock While Saraswati Saves the World by Susan McCully and Lost Waters by Nayantara Nayar. A special performance of student works will take place at the Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology (IMET) in downtown Baltimore. For full schedule and tickets ($15 general admission, $10 students and seniors) visit the event website here. Part of Plays for Our Planet.
Monumental Theatre Company presents a cabaret-style performance by the cast of its upcoming production of American Psycho, Thursday, May 2 at 7:30 PM in a casual piano-bar setting at Busboys & Poets Brookland, 625 Monroe St NE, Washington, DC. Meet the cast and enjoy their renditions of favorite ’80s pop songs! Advance tickets are $15 ($10 for students with code STUDENT) and available here. Food and drink will be available for purchase at the event.
