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.
AUGUST 2026
Arena Stage presents its Teen Audition Workshop for performers ages 13-18, Saturday, August 30 at 1:00 PM at Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St SW, Washington, DC. Pre-registration is required here. The cost of the workshop is $125. A limited number of partial, need-based scholarships are available; email education@arenastage.org for more information.
Prologue Theatre presents the August gatherings of afterword, Prologue’s play reading and discussion group. In August, the group is discussing Brief Encounter by Noel Coward (adapted by Emma Rice) and The Shark is Broken by Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon. Join afterword in person Monday, August 17 at 7:00 PM at 6408 Williamsburg Blvd, Arlington, VA, or on Zoom Wednesday, August 19 at 7:00 PM. Register (free!) for either date here. Registrants will receive the scripts via email.
Olney Theatre Center presents the 2026 Olney Outdoors season, running for 5 weeks from August 13-September 12 at Olney Theatre Center, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Rd, Olney, MD. The full performance lineup and individual event tickets (ranging from $15-$65) are available here.
Olney Theatre Center presents its annual Summerfest, a free open house event featuring performances, demonstrations, classes and workshops, behind-the-scenes tours of the brand-new Bernard Family Theatre, Gana Dunlop Maker’s Center, and the Jim & Carol Trawick Education Center, and much more. Summerfest runs from 11:30 AM – 5:15 PM Saturday, August 9 at Olney Theatre Center, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Rd, Olney, MD. Details here.
GALA Hispanic Theatre presents Frida Libre, a bilingual musical with English surtitles performed by the talented young artists of GALA’s Paso Nuevo Youth Program with interns from Bloomberg/Sitar Arts Center and the Marion Barry Summer Youth Employment Program (MBSYEP). Frida Libre performs Thursday, August 6 at 7:30 PM at GALA, 3333 14th St NW, Washington, DC. Admission is free, no RSVP required.
Prologue Theatre is hosting a CATF Conversation Night to discuss the 5 plays of the 2026 Contemporary American Theater Festival, Monday, August 3 at 7:00 PM. The event will be hybrid – attend in person at 6408 Williamsburg Blvd, Arlington, VA or on Zoom. RSVP here.
Maroon Arts & Culture presents a reading of Chicken Lady, a new play by Marc Fjor, Sunday, August 2 at 1:30 PM at the Southwest Library, 900 Wesley Place SW, Washington, DC. RSVP here.
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.
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.
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.
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.
