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, Sunday, 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.
Human Landscape Dance, alongside dancer and choreographer Kyoko Fujimoto, presents Attune: DC ⇄ Kyoto, Saturday, August 29 and Sunday, August 30 at the Dance Institute of Washington, 3400 14th St NW, Washington, DC). This dance showcase featuring artists from the U.S. and Japan includes 3 performances: Saturday at 8:00 PM, Sunday at 2:30 PM, and Sunday at 6:30 PM. Tickets are $36 per performance ($31 seniors and students, $16 children under 14) and available here. Workshops in contact improv, zazen meditation, and Japanese traditional dance are included with ticket purchase.
Rorschach Theatre Company presents Klecksography 2026, Saturday, August 29 at The Stacks (101 V St SW, Washington, DC). Over 30 DC-based theater artists will come together to create 6 new 10-minute plays in 10 days, all inspired by a single work of art. Performances will be held at 5:00 PM, 7:00 PM, and 9:00 PM. Tickets are $20 per performance and available here.
Maryland Ensemble Theatre presents MET Comedy Night ’26-’27: Comedy Extravaganza, hosting improv teams from DC and Baltimore for two action-packed evenings, Friday, August 28 at 8:00 PM and Saturday, August 29 at 8:00 PM. Tickets are $25 per show and available here.
The Keegan Theatre presents a world premiere workshop reading of The Believers by Audrey Cefaly, commissioned by Keegan’s Boiler Room Series, Wednesday, August 26 at 7:00 PM. A talkback and feedback session will follow the reading. Tickets are free; RSVP here.
No Regrets Theatre Company, a new local theater, presents a staged reading of Joans: A Play With Music by Adian Chapman, Saturday, August 23 at 8:00 PM at Spooky Action Theater, 1810 16th St NW, Washington, DC. Tickets are free (donations welcome); RSVP here.
Solas Nua presents Show in a Bag: Works in Progress, featuring solo works by Lilli Hokama, Milo Longenecker, and Dani Stoller, with dramaturgical support from Solas Nua and Dublin’s Fishamble: The New Play Company, Sunday, August 23 at 2:00 PM at Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St NE, Washington, DC. Tickets are free; RSVP here.
Mini Musicals on the Move presents two staged readings of family-friendly musicals by local composers. The Teddy Bear: A Musical, by Neal Learner, is adapted from the children’s book The Teddy Bear by David MacPhail. And Family Friendly Musical Scenes, features music by Josh Cleveland and lyrics by Daniel Cox. Both short musicals will be performed on Saturday, August 22 at 7:00 PM at Christ Crossman Church, 384 N. Washington St, Falls Church, VA; and Sunday, August 23 at 4:00 PM at Palisades Hub, 5200 Cathedral Ave NW, Washington, DC. Performances are free and open to the public.
The Library of Congress‘s Music Division presents a live conversation with actress and musician Cynthia Erivo about her book Simply More, Saturday, August 22 at 7:00 PM on the Main Stage at the National Book Festival at the Walter D. Washington Convention Center, 801 Allen Y. Lew Place NW, Washington, DC. Included with free ticket to the National Book Festival; RSVP here.
Young Playwrights’ Theater presents A Play With No Ending, an all-ages interactive workshop, Saturday, August 22 at 3:30 PM on the Story District stage at the National Book Festival at the Walter D. Washington Convention Center, 801 Allen Y. Lew Place NW, Washington, DC. Included with free ticket to the National Book Festival; RSVP here.
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.
Silver Spring Stage presents its 2026 One-Act Festival, featuring six one-act plays across two weekends, August 14-16 and August 21-23 at 10145 Colesville Rd, Silver Spring, MD. Showtimes are Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 PM and Sundays at 2:00 PM. Tickets are $30 per day ($25 seniors and students) and available here.
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.
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.
