Theater Alliance, one of DC’s leading theaters known for socially conscious, civic-minded productions, has announced it will establish its permanent home at 340 Maple Dr SW, fulfilling the Arts & Culture PUD designation by transforming a 9,096 sq. ft. retail space into a vibrant arts hub. The project will create a multidisciplinary hub featuring two fully equipped theaters – solidifying and expanding Theater Alliance’s work while providing space for Theater Alliance and other DC arts organizations to thrive.
In a cultural moment where many arts institutions are facing challenges, Theater Alliance is thriving and growing, stepping in to meet a critical civic need in DC: the lack of permanent, mid-sized cultural arts spaces.
The announcement follows a remarkably successful year for Theater Alliance in its temporary “pop-up” venue, where the company produced five shows, hosted the Hothouse New Play Festival, welcomed more than 5,000 patrons, and employed over 130 local artists. Working in partnership with Hoffman & Associates and the DC Department of Buildings’ Pop-Up Permitting Program, Theater Alliance transformed a raw 9,096 sq. ft. vacant retail space into a fully functioning theater — activating it for a full year of performances, community gatherings, and artistic innovation.
That activation has now opened the door to reimagining the space as a long-term, fully equipped arts center featuring two theaters — a 140-seat flexible black box, a 60-seat cinema and proscenium performance space, as well as a rehearsal hall, reception space, scene shop, artist co-working spaces, and a civic engagement center. Building on a legacy that spans from the H Street Playhouse to Anacostia to its current Southwest location, Theater Alliance continues to anchor neighborhoods, foster civic dialogue, and strengthen DC’s arts and culture sector.
“This project is about much more than bricks and mortar — it’s about creating long-term infrastructure that strengthens our city’s cultural ecosystem,” said Shanara Gabrielle, Executive Artistic Director of Theater Alliance. “We’re establishing a shared home for multiple DC arts organizations and the communities we serve — designed to expand access, deepen collaboration, and drive sustainable impact. This is what meaningful investment in culture and community looks like.”
Designed to be a multi-organization arts hub, this project is envisioned not just for Theater Alliance but for the broader arts and nonprofit community in collaboration with lead partners to be announced at a later date. Built on principles of solidarity economics and collective stewardship, the hub will house multiple arts organizations that operate strategically to support nonprofit partnerships. Together, these collaborators will share space, vision, and resources — from physical assets and space to staff support, together, the partners will create a new model of collaboration that strengthens sustainability, reduces barriers, and expands impact. The organization now sees this model as a blueprint for sustaining and growing the arts in Washington, DC.
“Theater Alliance has shown how arts organizations can lead with both vision and impact. What began as a temporary activation has become a permanent cultural anchor that reflects the spirit of Southwest DC and the values we share as a development partner,” said Maria Thompson, President at Hoffman & Associates. “We’re proud to support Theater Alliance in creating a vibrant, inclusive arts hub that brings people together, fuels creativity, and strengthens the neighborhood for generations to come.”
From its earliest days, Theater Alliance has been an instigator of neighborhood connection and creativity. After its start in Northeast DC, the organization spent twelve years in Anacostia, building lasting relationships with community partners and audiences — a chapter that remains an essential part of its identity and history. Now, Theater Alliance brings that same spirit of neighborhood activation to Southwest DC, where its new long-term home at 340 Maple Dr SW will serve as both a cultural anchor for the community and a gathering place for the entire city. This space will enable the company to expand its programming, deepen engagement, and strengthen its role as a catalyst within DC’s artistic ecosystem.
ABOUT THEATER ALLIANCE
For over two decades, Theater Alliance has been a driving force for innovation, activation, and artistic excellence in Washington, DC’s cultural landscape. Renowned for producing socially conscious and thought-provoking work, the company creates theater that sparks dialogue, fosters community engagement. Theater Alliance keeps justice at the core of its operations, prioritizes joy, amplifies under-told stories, and explores innovative artistic endeavors. Through its robust civic engagement initiatives, the company underscores its belief that the arts are essential to building a thriving, equitable society. Theater Alliance’s impact is reflected in its 111 Helen Hayes Award nominations and 31 wins, and in its proud status as a Core Member of the National New Play Network. With a steadfast commitment to its mission, Theater Alliance continues to create transformative experiences where all artists and audiences feel seen, valued, and inspired.
