The members of The Welders announce the world premiere of Cake Eaters, a new play by Rebecca Dzida, running February 7–22, 2026, at The National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts in Washington, DC. Cake Eaters marks the first full production by the current Welders cohort and continues The Welders’ legacy of developing and producing bold new work by DC-area playwrights. Directed by Seth Rosenke, the production features a nine-person ensemble cast and explores power, revolution, and the narratives perpetuated by those in control. Tickets are now on sale, with limited seating available for the three-week run.
Developed over more than a decade, Cake Eaters traces its origins back to 2010, when playwright Rebecca Dzida began interrogating questions of power and revolution through both historical and contemporary lenses. The play ultimately took shape during Dzida’s graduate studies in playwriting and reflects influences ranging from global political movements such as the French Revolution and Arab Spring to the work of playwrights such as Jean Genet, Sarah Kane, and Martin McDonagh. Though conceived years ago, the piece speaks directly to the present moment, holding a distorted mirror up to modern systems of authority and resistance.
The Welders member Rebecca Dzida says: “Although I first conceived of Cake Eaters many years ago, the piece speaks to what’s happening today and turns a twisted mirror to the world. It asks the question of what the world would look like if people were not radicalized, and questions the very nature of the narratives perpetuated by those in power. I’m happy to see this play produced for the first time by The Welders here in DC, a place full of great contention at the moment.”
The cast of Cake Eaters includes John Jones, Caleigh Riordan Davis, Alex Aspiazu, Charlotte Kim, Philippos Sourvinos, Tristin Evans, Marley Kabin, Lila Cooper, and Cate Ginsberg. The performance runs approximately two hours and fifteen minutes with one intermission. All performances will take place at The National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts located at 1556 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC. As with all of Welders productions, proceeds directly support the artists and crew involved in bringing the work to life.
After assuming leadership of the organization, the current members of The Welders — Shaquille Stewart, Taylor Payne, and Rebecca Dzida — have focused on re-establishing and reimagining foundational structures for the artist-led collective while continuing its mission to champion new theatrical voices. Cake Eaters represents the culmination of that work and the first full realization of the cohort’s vision for their tenure.
About Cake Eaters by Rebecca Dzida
Cake Eaters is a gripping drama with twists and turns around every corner, set in a dystopian world eerily similar to our own and governed by a totalitarian regime. All Rex wants is to protect his family. On one side is a totalitarian government with no regard for its citizens. On the other side is a floundering revolution desperately trying to topple the monarchy. When Rex meets Yazzy, a young woman who is more than she appears, he unwittingly finds himself tangled in the intrigue spun on both sides of the fight. Now he must take control of the game before he becomes a pawn, but that’s hard to do when Rex cannot decipher between what is or isn’t real. This world premiere play by DMV resident Rebecca Dzida tackles questions about power, what happens when it changes hands, and how our very realities can alter depending on who wields it.
About The Welders
The Welders is a DC-based playwrights’ collective that provides an evolving, alternative platform for play development and production. Founded in 2013 by DC-area artists Bob Bartlett, Renee Calarco, Allyson Currin, Caleen Sinette Jennings, Jojo Ruff, and Gwydion Suilebhan, the organization was built on the belief that artists invested in one another’s work can collectively forge opportunities for bold, original storytelling. Inspired by Cherríe Moraga’s poem “The Welder,” the collective emphasizes hard work, shared responsibility, and passion for craft. Since its inception, three new generations of Welders have carried the organization forward by passing leadership and resources to a new cohort at the end of each tenure, ensuring continued support for future generations of DC-area playwrights.
