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.
JUNE 2026
ARTfactory’s Pied Piper Theatre presents Disney’s The Lion King Jr., Friday, June 26 through Sunday, June 28 at at the Hylton Performing Arts Center, Gregory Family Theater, 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas, VA. Showtimes and tickets ($20) are available here.
Clown Cabaret presents Summer Shenanigans, its summer variety show hosted by Christina Day and Jim McGrath, Monday, June 22 at 8:00 PM at The Writer’s Center, 4508 Walsh St, Bethesda, MD. Performers include Les S. Moore, Karen Beriss, Rich Potter, Marble “the” Clown, Katie Rebich, David Tyson, and Geoff Weber. Tickets are $20 plus fees online here, or $20 cash at the door if tickets remain on the day of the show. 12+.
Best Medicine Rep presents a reading of Divorce Honeymoon by Tim Boland, directed by Stan Levin, Wednesday, June 17 at 7:00 PM in the Hefner Auditorium at Asbury Methodist Village in Gaithersburg (entrance at the corner of Odendhal and Lost Knife Road). Admission is free, no tickets required.
Prologue Theatre presents the June gatherings of afterword, Prologue’s play reading and discussion group. In June, the group is discussing A Wake at Singh’s by Aeneas Hemphill and Sweat by Lynn Nottage. Join afterword in person Monday, June 15 at 7:00 PM at 6408 Williamsburg Blvd, Arlington, VA, or on Zoom Wednesday, June 17 at 7:00 PM. Register (free!) for either date here. Registrants will receive the scripts via email.
Classic Theatre of Maryland presents its June Cabaret, The Best of Broadway, Monday, June 15 at 7:30 PM and Tuesday, June 16 at 7:30 PM in CTM’s Cabaret Room, 1804 West St Suite 200, Annapolis, MD. Tickets range from $81-$89 and are available here. Guests may pre-order dinner separately through CTM’s restaurant partner, Blackwall Hitch. A full bar will be available beginning one hour prior to showtime.
Strathmore and Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company mark the fifth year of their Arts and Social Justice Fellowship (ASJF) with Sanctuary of Solace, a one-day multimedia installation and public program built by and for teens in the community on Sunday, June 14, from 1–5 PM at the Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda, MD. Admission is free; RSVP and pay what you can here.
DC/DOX presents two theater-themed film screenings as part of its 2026 documentary film festival:
- Time Warp, Friday, June 12 at 9:45 PM at Woolly Mammoth Theater Company, 641 D St NW, Washington, DC
- The Whole World Is A Lie, Saturday, June 13 at 8:30 PM at Regal Gallery Place, 701 7th St NW, Washington, DC
Tickets for Time Warp are available here and tickets for The Whole World Is A Lie are available here. Tickets are $17 for each individual screening. Use code THEATRE10 at checkout for 10% off!
Arts Club of Washington presents Washington Improv Theater in iMusical, WIT’s improvised musical, Friday, June 12 at 6:30 PM at the Arts Club of Washington, 2017 I St NW, Washington, DC. Tickets are $65 ($55 for Arts Club members) and available here.
Manassas Ballet Academy presents its 2026 recital, Sleeping Beauty and More!, Thursday, June 11 at 7:30 PM at the Hylton Performing Arts Center, Merchant Hall, 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas, VA. Tickets are $30 and available here.
Arts Club of Washington presents Broadway Bound, a discussion with award-winning producer M. Kilburg Reedy on how plays are selected and produced for Broadway and the West End, Wednesday, June 10 at 6:30 PM at the Arts Club of Washington, 2017 I St NW, Washington, DC. This event is part of the Arts Club’s Distinguished Speakers in Drama series. Tickets are $40 ($30 for Arts Club members) and include wine and hors d’oeuvres. Purchase here.
Everyman Theatre presents Love Wins: A Vibrant Celebration of Pride and Performance, its annual drag brunch, Sunday, June 7 at 315 West Fayette St, Baltimore, MD. Doors open at 11:00 AM (10:00 AM for VIP pre-show meet and greet), followed by brunch starting at 11:30 AM and performance beginning at 12:00 PM. Tickets are $70 ($56 for Everyman subscribers), with reserved VIP tables (8 people) available for $650. Purchase tickets here.
Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington (GMCW) presents Soul Divas, Saturday, June 6 at 8:00 PM and Sunday, June 7 at 5:00 PM at the Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St NW, Washington, DC. The Sunday performance is ASL interpreted. Tickets range from $26-$79 and are available here.
CFA Repertory Theater presents Say It Loud, an interactive improv comedy show celebrating Black culture, creativity, and authentic storytelling, Saturday, June 6 at 3:00 PM at Joe’s Movement Emporium, 3309 Bunker Hill Rd, Mt. Rainier, MD. Tickets are $20 ($10 children and seniors) and available here. This show is recommended for ages 11+.
Theatre 202 presents Dreaming Without Limits: A Theatre 202 Cabaret, Friday, June 5 at 7:30 PM and Saturday, June 6 at 7:30 PM at GALA Hispanic Theatre, 3333 14th St NW, Washington, DC. Featuring young artists ages 14–26, this original production blends songs from Broadway and beyond with personal storytelling and themes of justice, belonging, and imagining a better future. Tickets range from $10-$30 and are available here.
MPB Entertainment presents My Soul Says Yes, The Gospel Stage Play, Friday, June 5 at 7:00 PM and Saturday, June 6 at 7:00 PM at Slayton House Performing Arts Theater, 10400 Cross Fox Lane, Columbia, MD. Tickets range from $50-$65 and are available here.
Alliance for New Music-Theatre presents Helen Hayes Award-winning actor, singer, and pianist Alan Naylor in his cabaret Songs We Need Now, Tuesday, June 2 at 7:00 PM at the Arts Club of Washington, 2017 I St NW, Washington, DC. Tickets are $65 and available here.
Theater J and the Edlavitch DCJCC present a Festival of Favorites and Firsts, May 30-June 7 at the Edlavitch DCJCC, 1529 16th St NW, Washington, DC. Staged readings include:
- The Last Night of Ballyhoo by Alfred Uhry, Saturday, May 30 at 2:00 PM
- Linguicide by Ali Viterbi, Saturday, May 30 at 7:30 PM
- Queens Girl in the World by Caleen Sinnette Jennings, Sunday, May 31 at 2:00 PM
- The Sisters Rosensweig by Wendy Wasserstein, Saturday, June 6 at 1:00 PM
- I Know of Plagues by Kendell Pinckney, Saturday, June 6 at 7:30 PM
All-access passes are $100 ($50 for Theater J subscribers) and single tickets are $28. Tickets and information available here.
