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.
APRIL 2026
Opera Lafayette presents New Woman, featuring Grammy-nominated soprano Lauren Snouffer accompanied by the Opera Lafayette Orchestra, Thursday, April 30 at 7:30 PM at Sixth & I, 600 I St NW, Washington, DC. Tickets range from $30-$55 and are available here.
The Theatre Lab School of the Dramatic Arts presents its 15th annual Dramathon, an evening of world-premiere short plays written, directed, and performed by professional DC theater artists, on Monday, April 27 at 7:30 PM at the Theatre Lab, 900 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC. Part theatrical showcase, part fundraiser, this unique performing arts event benefits The Theatre Lab’s Send a Kid to Camp initiative. Admission is free; donations encouraged. Details here.
Folger Shakespeare Library presents a staged reading of Macbeth, commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Federal Theatre Project’s production of Shakespeare’s “Scottish play.” The final event in Adjoa Andoh‘s Director’s Residency at the Folger, Macbeth: A Tribute to the Federal Theatre Project performs Saturday, April 25 at 7:00 PM at the Folger, 201 East Capitol St SE, Washington, DC. Tickets range from $35-$70 and are available here.
Arena Stage presents the 2026 Voices of Now Festival, an inspiring afternoon of original, youth-devised theater from across the DC region, Saturday, April 25 at 1:00 PM at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater, 1101 Sixth St SW, Washington, DC. Tickets are pay-what-you-can ($10 suggested donation, free option included) and available here.
Charm City Fringe announces the 2026 Charm City Fringe Festival, featuring 12 shows performed across six nights (April 24-26 and May 1-3) at The Peale, 225 Holliday St, Baltimore, MD. Tickets range from $18-$38 for a day pass to $98 for an all-access festival pass, and are available here.
2 Boys and A Girl at American University present a senior capstone performance of Speech & Debate by Stephen Karam, directed by AU alum Sirra Faal, Friday, April 24 at 8:00 PM and Saturday, April 25 at 8:00 PM in the Katzen Arts Center at American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC. Tickets are free; RSVP here.
Opera Baltimore presents Pelléas et Mélisande, Wednesday, April 22 and Friday, April 24 at 7:30 PM and Sunday, April 26 at 3:00 PM at The Engineers Club at the Garrett-Jacobs Mansion, 11 West Mount Vernon Place, Baltimore, MD. In French with English supertitles. Tickets range from $15-$83.35 and are available here.
Life Stories presents Queer Stories 2026, a showcase of original works created and performed by an intergenerational cohort of LGBTQIA+ performers, Wednesday, April 22 at 7:30 PM at The Theatre Lab, 900 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC. This show is at capacity, but limited seats may be available at the door. Please email contact@theatrelab.org with any questions.
The Puppet Co presents a marionette double feature of Phantasmagoria by Puppet Pants and Unraveling by Shadow Girls Cult, Wednesday, April 22 at 7:00 PM at the Puppet Co at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd, Glen Echo, MD. 18+. Tickets range from $15-$35 and are available here.
The German Embassy Washington presents Artists in Exile: Perspectives on Freedom, Wednesday, April 22 at 5:00 PM in the Arellano Theater, Levering Hall at Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles St, Baltimore, MD. Devised and directed by Drew Lichtenberg, with musicians from the PostClassical Ensemble, the evening features music, writings, and life stories of German artists who faced difficult choices under oppressive regimes. Tickets are free; RSVP here.
Theater of War Productions, The Earth Commons, and The Laboratory for Global Performance & Politics at Georgetown University present The Oedipus Project, featuring live readings from Sophocles’ Oedipus the King as a catalyst for discussion of climate change and environmental justice. Performers include Jesse Eisenberg, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Jumaane Williams, David Strathairn, Kathryn Erbe, Sam Waterston, Erika Rose, and Craig Wallace. This hybrid event will be held Tuesday, April 21 at 7:00 PM at Georgetown University’s Gaston Hall and on Zoom. Tickets are free; RSVP here.
Guillotine Theatre and The Black Heritage Museum of Arlington present Julia Sues for Freedom, a scripted reenactment of the 1842 court case, Julia Roberts v. Austin Adams and Anne Harding, in which Julia, an enslaved woman, sued to win her freedom. Julia Sues for Freedom will be presented at the following dates, times, and locations:
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Arlington’s Central Library at 2:00pm on Saturday, April 18 1015 N Quincy St, Arlington, VA 22201
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The Ball-Sellers House at 3:00pm on Saturday, April 25 (weather permitting) 5620 3rd St S, Arlington, VA 22204
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Westover Farmers Market at 11:00am on Sunday, April 26 (weather permitting) Westover Library Plaza, 1644 McKinley Rd, Arlington, VA 22205
All performances are free and open to the public.
Creative Cauldron presents its 2026 Bold New Voices Festival of new work by women playwrights and composers, April 11-May 9 at Creative Cauldron Stage, 127 E. Broad St, Falls Church, VA.
All performances take place on Saturdays at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM. The lineup includes:
- April 11: The C Word Written by Sarah Lina Sparks | Directed by Sally Imbriano
- April 18: Live From My Dad’s Couch Written by Gaelyn D. Smith | Directed by A.
Lorraine Robinson - April 25: His Girl Friday Book by Danielle Moore | Music & Lyrics by Zachary Sloan and
Danielle Moore | Directed by Matt Conner - May 9: Policarpa: Apocalypse Sur Amerikka Written by Diana Burbano | Directed by
Elena Velasco
Tickets are free for in-person or livestream viewing and available here.
