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.
MARCH 2026
Imaginary Opera presents a screening of Red Flag of the Future, a new opera based on Laura Schlachtmeyer‘s translation of Ernst Toller’s German Expressionist play Masse-Mensch, written in 1919 while Toller was imprisoned for revolutionary activities in post-WWI Germany. A new translation is the foundation for an opera that features original puppets and a cast of DC’s favorite performers. The screening will be Sunday, March 29 at 5:00 PM at the Miracle Theater, 535 8th St SE, Washington, DC. Tickets are free; RSVP here.
Round House Theatre’s Teen Performance Company presents its 24th annual Sarah Metzger Memorial Play, At the End of the World by Morgan Gould, directed by Scout Amakali, Friday, March 27 through Sunday, March 29 at Round House Theatre, 4545 East-West Highway, Bethesda, MD. Showtimes are Friday at 7:30 PM, Saturday at 8:00 PM, and Sunday at 2:00 PM. Tickets are $25 and available here. Free tickets are available for high school and college students; details here.
Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington presents Body Beautiful, an evening of songs and stories celebrating body positivity, Wednesday, March 25 at 7:30 PM at National City Christian Church, 5 Thomas Circle NW, Washington, DC. The performance will be ASL interpreted. Tickets are $48 general admission ($43 for seniors and $23 for young people 25 and under) and available here.
Young Playwrights Theater presents Young Playwrights in Progress, a workshop performance showcasing the work of three student artists from Howard University, Saturday, March 21 at 6:00 PM at Busboys and Poets Takoma, 235 Carroll St NW, Washington, DC. Works featured include The Weight of Inheritance by Jaden Michael Madgett, B Series Timeline by Tabitha Rose, and Honey Island by Yisrael Robinson. Tickets are $25 ($15 seniors and students) for the in-person event and $15 ($5 seniors and students) for the livestream. Purchase tickets here.
Better Said Than Done presents its 2026 Women’s Storytelling Festival, both in-person and streaming online, Thursday, March 19 through Sunday, March 22. The festival kicks off with a virtual-only showcase March 19 at 8:00 PM. In-person events (with livestream options) run March 20-22 at Sherwood Community Center, 3740 Blenheim Blvd, Fairfax, VA. Full festival passes ($70) and virtual-only passes ($50) are available here. Single-day passes will be available at the door only for $35.
