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.
DECEMBER
MetroStage presents Mayhem and Musical Merriment at the Old Bull and Bush, Sunday, December 21 at 4:00 PM and Monday, December 22 at 7:00 PM at The Lyceum: Alexandria’s History Museum, 201 South Washington St, Alexandria, VA. Tickets to this classic British music hall experience are $30 and available here.
Best Medicine Rep presents a free reading of Todd and Pitts by Rand Higbee, directed by Rocky Nunzio, Wednesday, December 17 at 7:00 PM. The reading will take place at Hefner Auditorium on the campus of Asbury Methodist Village in Gaithersburg. No tickets or reservations are required.
Voices Festival Productions presents a free workshop reading of a newly updated version of The Admission by Motti Lerner, Wednesday, December 17 at 3:00 PM at Universalist National Memorial Church, 1810 16th St NW, Washington, DC. Seating is limited; RSVP to info@voicesfestivalproductions.com.
The Artless Bards, DC’s longest-running Shakespearean Improv Comedy troupe, present Comedy at the Puppet Co, Sunday, December 14 at 7:00 PM at The Puppet Co Playhouse at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd, Glen Echo, MD. This event is a fundraiser for the Puppet Co. Tickets are $15 ($30 VIP) and available here.
Greenbelt Arts Center presents Happiness Happening, a performance of instrumental music by local musicians that will include audience interaction using the theater as an immersive experience, Saturday, December 13 at 8:00 PM and Sunday, December 14 at 2:00 PM at GAC, 123 Centerway, Greenbelt, MD. Tickets are $24 ($22 seniors and military, $12 children and students) and available here.
Nu Sass Productions presents Rent Party, a mini music festival and benefit for Nu Sass’s new performance space, Saturday, December 13 at 7:00 PM at 1100 H St NW. Tickets are donation-based (minimum $12) and available here.
GALA Hispanic Theatre presents The Other Side Story, a hilarious one-man musical created and performed in Spanish and Spanglish by Ángel Vázquez, Friday, December 12 through Sunday, December 14 at GALA, 3333 14th St NW, Washington, DC. Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 8:00 PM and Sunday at 2:00 PM. Tickets are $30 and available here.
Maryland Ensemble Theatre presents A Christmas Carol, Friday, December 12 through Sunday, December 14 at the Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 W. Patrick St, Frederick, MD. Showtimes are Friday at 8:00 PM, Saturday at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM, and Sunday at 2:00 PM. Tickets are $28 ($25 seniors, military, and Frederick city employees; $17 students and children) and available here.
Cagedbird Productions presents The GAY Best Man by Anthony Green, Friday, December 12 and Saturday, December 13 at the Chateau, 3439 Benning Rd NE, Washington, DC. Showtimes are 7:00 PM Friday and Saturday and 2:00 PM Saturday. Tickets range from $35-$50 and are available here.
The Arts Club of Washington presents a reading of Guilty Pleasure, a new play by Charlie Probus, Friday, December 12 at 7:00 PM at 2017 I St NW, Washington, DC. Guilty Pleasure is the winner of the Arts Club of Washington’s 2025 One Act Play Competition. The reading will be followed by a buffet dinner with the playwright, director, and cast. Tickets are $77 (free for Arts Club members, $50 for member guests) and available here.
Voices Festival Productions presents Imperfect Allies: Children of Opposite Sides, written and performed by Najla Said and Judith Sloan, directed by Suzanne Agins, Thursday, December 11 through Sunday, December 14 at Universalist National Memorial Church, 1810 16th Street NW, Washington, DC. Showtimes are Thursday and Friday at 7:30 PM, Saturday at 8:00 PM, and Sunday at 7:00 PM. Tickets are $25 and available here.
Spooky Action Theater presents composer, rock musician, and playwright Stew Stewart in concert, Wednesday, December 10 at 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM at Universalist National Memorial Church, 1810 16th St NW, Washington, DC. Stew will perform an hour-long set of his songs, including songs from his 2008 Tony Award-winning Broadway show Passing Strange. Tickets are $75 general admission, $100 table seating, and available here.
Creative Cauldron presents its annual Holiday Cabaret Series, featuring Cauldron veterans and newcomers. This year’s lineup includes:
- Monday, December 8: Anna Phillips-Brown and Noah Beye featuring Elisa Rosman
- Tuesday, December 9: My Favorite Things: A Nostalgic Night with Stephen Gregory Smith
- Wednesday, December 10: Derry and Bright featuring Susan Derry with Howard Breitbart and special guest Manny Arciniega
- Thursday, December 11: Big Night Christmas Special featuring Matt Trimboli and Jason Paul Curtis with special guest Alison Crockett
- Monday, December 15: Slay-Belles featuring Molly Rumberger, Amber Gibson, Karen Kelleher, Candice Shedd-Thompson and Morgan Kelleher
- Tuesday, December 16: Everyone Should Fall in Love at Christmas with Sally Imbriano and special guests Carolyn Burke and Kiana King
- Thursday, December 18: Stephen Carter-Hicks and Howard Breitbart: A Christmas Benefit for the Pulmonary Hypertension Association
All events begin at 7:30 PM at Creative Cauldron, 126 E. Broad St, Falls Church, VA. For more details and to reserve tickets, visit Creative Cauldron’s website here.
