Hyattsville has long been the beating heart of Maryland’s Gateway Arts District, but for years, a specific rhythm has been missing from its streets: the sound of a live, local curtain call. Enter John D’Angelo IV, a Hyattsville resident and actor by trade who is looking to fill that silence.
With a background in strategic fundraising and a deep-seated love for the stage, D’Angelo is founding a new community theater to be called Little Theatre of Hyattsville (LTH). The local actor isn’t just founding a theater; he’s building a community anchor. DC Theater Arts sat down with D’Angelo to discuss why now is the time for a theatrical revival and how he plans to turn a vacant space into a vibrant cultural hub.
The Spark of Inspiration
While the DC metro area is home to a thriving theatrical ecosystem of both professional and non-Equity companies, D’Angelo noticed a geographical and programmatic void in his own backyard. Interestingly, he discovered that Hyattsville actually hosted several community theater groups back in the 1990s and early 2000s — a tradition he feels ready to reclaim.
The Little Theatre of Hyattsville isn’t starting from scratch; it is stepping into a legacy started by groups like the Wolf Pack Theatre Company and The Rude Mechanicals. While those troupes found creative ways to use church basements and community centers, D’Angelo sees the next step in the city’s evolution as establishing a permanent, dedicated home.
For D’Angelo, the inspiration for LTH was as much about urbanism as it was about art. “I believe in the 15-minute city,” he explains, reflecting on his college days spent driving 40 minutes to rehearsals. “Hyattsville is uniquely situated, given the arts district and its history as an artist community. People shouldn’t have to leave their neighborhood to find high-quality performing arts.”
This vision resonated immediately. Despite a torrential downpour during the inaugural interest meeting at Franklin’s Restaurant and Brewery, 35 eager locals showed up. To date, over 100 people have signed up to support the fledgling company, proving that the “theatrical energy” in Hyattsville has been coiled like a spring, waiting for a release.
Crawl, Walk, Run: The First Event
The gap D’Angelo identified was not just geographical, but programmatic. “We want to build toward mainstage productions, but we also want to move past doing exclusively public domain materials,” he says.
For those expecting a full three-show season right out of the gate, D’Angelo preaches patience through a “Crawl, Walk, Run” model. The focus for year one is on building a foundation and establishing name recognition.
“We’re hosting a community event on February 25, featuring icebreakers, theater games, and improv,” D’Angelo says. “This will launch us to our first major fundraiser in March: an auditioned musical cabaret.”
The cabaret will feature a mix of classic Broadway showtunes and contemporary pieces. “It’s a showcase of the amazing non-Equity talent we have right here in the community. We want to build toward mainstage productions, but we want to push past the old standbys and tap into people who have always wanted to give it a shot.”
A Home Stage in Hyattsville
For D’Angelo, LTH is also about economic development. D’Angelo sees Hyattsville’s long-term vacant properties not as eyesores, but as opportunities.
“If LTH can fill a vacant space with a driver of economic development and community building, that’s a meaningful and tangible benefit,” he says. His ultimate vision includes a performing arts center with a proper lobby, greenrooms, and perhaps even a black box theater across the street. In a nod to the local community’s giving spirit, he’s even looking into adopting a “theater cat” from a local rescue.
“When a group of people unifies behind a theatrical production, there’s nothing quite like it. I hope to make this theater an anchor of Hyattsville’s identity.”
A Modern Lens on a Classic Tradition
D’Angelo and his board bring a “young millennial eye” to the project, focusing on inclusivity, diverse storytelling, and a balance between the “Classic Broadway” shows that crowds love and the “Experimental Theater” that a subset of the membership is hungry for.
“There is a certain cheekiness to the Hyattsville arts community,” D’Angelo says of the theater’s name. “I felt the ‘Little Theatre’ moniker better matched the vibe. It’s high-quality work, but it’s community-driven.”
LTH’s first show will be a cabaret, to be staged sometime in the spring. As LTH navigates the final steps of its 501(c)(3) status and prepares for its first auditions, the goal remains simple but profound: to create a space where neighbors can “burn off pent-up theatrical energy” together. Whether it’s through a high-energy cabaret or a future mainstage play, the Little Theatre of Hyattsville is ready to prove that the best stories are the ones told close to home.
Get Involved
Join LTH on February 25, 2026, at 6:30 pm for their first (official) community meeting in Hyattsville. You can RSVP here. During the event, the LTH Board will share its vision, opportunities for engagement, and upcoming events. Following the presentation, the Board will host theater games and activities. To join the Little Theatre of Hyattsville mailing list, email lththeatre@gmail.com.
