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.
SEPTEMBER 2026
Rapid Lemon Productions presents a staged reading of Reclassified by Petula Caesar, Tuesday, September 8 at 7:00 PM at the Strand Theater, 5426 Harford Rd, Baltimore, MD. A talkback will follow the reading. Tickets are $15 and available here.
IN Series Opera, in collaboration with multiple DMV-area arts organizations, presents Bernstein: MASS – This Shall Be Our Reply, Friday, September 4 and Saturday, September 5 at 7:30 PM at Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church, 900 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC. This event is a collective response to the defunding of the National Endowment for the Arts and the overhaul of the Kennedy Center. More information and tickets (free general admission, donations encouraged; reserved seating for $50) are available here.
I Regret Nothing, a brand-new one-woman show starring Soupergirl founder Sara Polon, comes to DC for 3 performances Tuesday, September 1, Wednesday, September 2, and Thursday, September 3, all at 7:30 PM at the National Union Building, 918 F St NW, Washington, DC. Tickets are $25 + fees and available here.
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.
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.
