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.
JULY 2026
Synetic Theater brings back its acclaimed adaptation of Charlie Chaplin’s The Immigrant for an exclusive, limited engagement following the production’s 2026 Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Production. Performances are Friday, July 31 through Sunday, August 2 (7:30 PM Friday, 1:30 PM & 7:30 PM Saturday, 3:00 PM Sunday), at Thomas Jefferson Community Theater, 125 S Old Glebe Rd, Arlington, VA. Tickets ($45–$73 plus fees) are available online.
The National Theatre and Virginia Ballet Company & School present selections from Swan Lake, Tuesday, July 28 at 11:00 AM at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G Street NW, Washington, DC. Best for ages 3-6. ASL interpreted. Free and open to the public through National Theatre Live at the Library, a partnership between the National Theatre Foundation and DC Public Library.
DC-based sketch comedy group Mother’s Pouch presents Mother’s Pouch in 3D!, an absurdist, character-driven sketch comedy show, Saturday, July 25 at 6:30 PM and 8:30 PM at Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St NE, Washington, DC. 18+. Tickets are $19.95 plus fees and available here.
The Potomac Players Reading Series presents Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, directed by Robyn Cohen, Saturday, July 25 at 1:00 PM at the Potomac Community Center Social Hall, 11315 Falls Rd, Potomac, MD. Admission is free (donations accepted), but seating is limited. RSVP to Robyn@CohenActingStudio.com.
The Keegan Theatre presents its 30th Anniversary Open House, featuring theater games, children’s activities, a photo booth, concessions, and more, Saturday, July 25 from 12:00 PM-4:00 PM at the Keegan, 1742 Church St NW, Washington, DC. Admission is free; RSVP here.
Chesapeake Shakespeare Company presents its 2026 Shakespeare Beyond performance – Romeo and Juliet set in Baltimore during the Revolutionary War. Performances run July 21 – August 15 at a variety of outdoor venues throughout Baltimore. Admission is free; the full schedule and locations are available here.
Solas Nua presents a reading of Good With Faces by Oisín Kearney, performed by Cody Nickell and Dani Stoller, Sunday, July 19 at 2:00 PM at Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St NE, Washington, DC. Details here.
Opera singer Chichi Enu presents Lessons in Joy, Self-Love & Silliness: A Cabaret Concert, Saturday, July 18 at 7:30 PM at the Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St, Alexandria, VA. Pre- and post-concert receptions will include refreshments. Tickets are $86.13 (all fees included) and available here. 18+.
Proud of You Productions presents a public workshop performance of Body Language, a new solo show by Jenny Napolitano blending storytelling and stand-up comedy, exploring life inside a misunderstood body, on Saturday, July 18 at 2:30 PM at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G Street NW, Washington, DC. Admission is free; RSVP recommended here.
Atlas Performing Arts Center and The Theatre Lab present a Broadway master class and mini concert with acclaimed Broadway performers Christine Dwyer (Wicked, Waitress) and Matt DeAngelis (Hair, Waitress, American Idiot), Thursday, July 16 at 7:00 PM at the Atlas, 1333 H St NE, Washington, DC. Tickets are pay-what-you-will and available here.
Washington Improv Theater (WIT) presents its summer series of Improv for All! workshops. Each workshop is a free, high-fun, low-stress introduction to the ideas and spirit of improv. Summer Improv for All! sessions run July 15-August 29. Dates, locations, and RSVP available here.
Prologue Theatre presents the July gatherings of afterword, Prologue’s play reading and discussion group. In July, the group is discussing Best Line Wins by Beth Kander and The Odd Couple by Neil Simon. Join afterword in person Monday, July 13 at 7:00 PM at 6408 Williamsburg Blvd, Arlington, VA, or on Zoom Wednesday, July 15 at 7:00 PM. Register (free!) for either date here. Registrants will receive the scripts via email.
Rapid Lemon Productions presents six staged readings in conjunction with the 2026 Variations on Silence festival. Directed by Arthur Cleaves, the readings will be performed Saturday, July 11 at 3:00 PM, Saturday, July 18 at 3:00 PM, and Saturday, July 25 at 3:00 PM. Tickets are $15 and available here.
District Fringe presents three limited engagements and four staged readings in conjunction with the 2026 District Fringe Festival. The limited engagements and readings will run from July 11-25 in District Fringe venues on the UDC campus. Tickets ($15 limited engagements, $10 staged readings), showtimes, and further details are available here.
Maryland Ensemble Theatre presents its summer Comedy Night series, running Friday nights at 8:30 PM from July 10 – August 7 at MET, 31 West Patrick St, Frederick, MD. Full summer lineup and tickets ($17 per performance) are available here.
Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company presents We the Woolly: Remixing 250, a monthlong series of free public events inviting Washingtonians to celebrate, question, remix, and reimagine America’s 250th birthday. All events will be held at Woolly Mammoth, 641 D St NW, Washington, DC. Tickets are free, RSVP encouraged. Full event schedule, details, and RSVP available here.
