1101 Sixth Street, SW
Washington, DC 20024
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Arena Stage History
Founded August 16, 1950 in Washington by Zelda Fichandler, Tom Fichandler and Edward Mangum, Arena Stage is a flagship American theater. Arena Stage is one of the first nonprofit theaters in the U.S. and a pioneer of the regional theater movement. They were the first regional theater to transfer a production to Broadway, the first invited by the U.S. State Department to tour behind the Iron Curtain, and the first to receive the Regional Theater Tony Award. Taking a leadership role in extending theater’s horizons, they have implemented groundbreaking policies and programs, promoting diversity in all aspects of theater, from theatergoing to production.
Shows at the Arena Stage
DATES PRODUCTION 9/13/2019 - 10/20/2019 Jitney (2019) 6/8/2012 - 7/29/2012 The Normal Heart (2012) - Dear Evan Hansen (2015)
News
Review: Dramatic Musical SWEPT AWAY Stays Afloat with Score by The Avett Brothers
by R. Scott Reedy - May 1, 2026
The musical “Swept Away” tells the story of four whalers shipwrecked off New Bedford in 1888, making it especially resonant for local audiences, who can experience the musical drama in a well crafted New England premiere at SpeakEasy Stage Company in the Virginia Wimberly Theatre at the Calderwood Pavilion, Boston Center for the Arts, through May 23.
by R. Scott Reedy - May 1, 2026
The musical “Swept Away” tells the story of four whalers shipwrecked off New Bedford in 1888, making it especially resonant for local audiences, who can experience the musical drama in a well crafted New England premiere at SpeakEasy Stage Company in the Virginia Wimberly Theatre at the Calderwood Pavilion, Boston Center for the Arts, through May 23.
Video: PIPPIN First Look at the Signature Theatre
by Stephi Wild - May 1, 2026
Pippin will open this month at the Signature Theatre, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Roger O. Hirson. Check out an all new trailer in the video here!
by Stephi Wild - May 1, 2026
Pippin will open this month at the Signature Theatre, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Roger O. Hirson. Check out an all new trailer in the video here!
Full Cast Set for HERCULES Final Extension at Theatre Royal Drury Lane
by Stephi Wild - Apr 30, 2026
Disney Theatrical Group announced the full company for the final extension of HERCULES at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, with Bradley Gibson leading as the title character alongside newly announced cast members joining the production.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 30, 2026
Disney Theatrical Group announced the full company for the final extension of HERCULES at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, with Bradley Gibson leading as the title character alongside newly announced cast members joining the production.
Arena Stage & HEART Will Present Free Pre-Show Talk With THE MOTION Playwright
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 29, 2026
HEART: DMV AAPI Theatre Alliance and Arena Stage will present a free pre-show conversation with Christopher Chen, playwright of THE MOTION, moderated by HEART co-founder Wonnie Kim, followed by a preview performance.
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 29, 2026
HEART: DMV AAPI Theatre Alliance and Arena Stage will present a free pre-show conversation with Christopher Chen, playwright of THE MOTION, moderated by HEART co-founder Wonnie Kim, followed by a preview performance.
Full Cast Announced for Premiere of TLC Musical CRAZYSEXYCOOL
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 29, 2026
Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater announced the full cast and creative team for CrazySexyCool – The TLC Musical.
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 29, 2026
Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater announced the full cast and creative team for CrazySexyCool – The TLC Musical.
Prospect Musicals' 2026 Gala & Muse Awards Reveals Full Line-Up
by Stephi Wild - Apr 29, 2026
Prospect Musicals announced the full line-up for its 2026 Gala & Muse Awards at The Edison Ballroom, honoring LaChanze, Ken Davenport, Lindsay Mendez, Ryan Scott Oliver, and Jose Antonio Vargas.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 29, 2026
Prospect Musicals announced the full line-up for its 2026 Gala & Muse Awards at The Edison Ballroom, honoring LaChanze, Ken Davenport, Lindsay Mendez, Ryan Scott Oliver, and Jose Antonio Vargas.
NEXT TO NORMAL To Be Presented At Trinity Rep
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 29, 2026
Trinity Repertory Company will close its 2025-26 season with NEXT TO NORMAL, the Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning rock musical directed by former Associate Artistic Director Amanda Dehnert at the Dowling Theater in Providence.
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 29, 2026
Trinity Repertory Company will close its 2025-26 season with NEXT TO NORMAL, the Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning rock musical directed by former Associate Artistic Director Amanda Dehnert at the Dowling Theater in Providence.
GRANDMA GATEWOOD TOOK A WALK Will Present New England Premiere at The Public Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 29, 2026
The Public Theatre will present the New England premiere of GRANDMA GATEWOOD TOOK A WALK, the true story of the first woman to solo-thru hike the Appalachian Trail, starring four-time Helen Hayes nominee Brigid Cleary.
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 29, 2026
The Public Theatre will present the New England premiere of GRANDMA GATEWOOD TOOK A WALK, the true story of the first woman to solo-thru hike the Appalachian Trail, starring four-time Helen Hayes nominee Brigid Cleary.
Arena Stage Will Present Free Readings for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 28, 2026
Arena Stage will participate in a national initiative honoring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives with a free event in Washington, D.C. The evening will include a community gathering and a staged reading of QUANTUM by Tara Moses.
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 28, 2026
Arena Stage will participate in a national initiative honoring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives with a free event in Washington, D.C. The evening will include a community gathering and a staged reading of QUANTUM by Tara Moses.
MY HOME ON THE MOON East Coast Premiere Announced At CHUANG Stage
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 24, 2026
CHUANG Stage will present the East Coast premiere of MY HOME ON THE MOON by Minna Lee at Boston Center for the Arts, featuring new revisions by the playwright and directed by cara hinh.
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 24, 2026
CHUANG Stage will present the East Coast premiere of MY HOME ON THE MOON by Minna Lee at Boston Center for the Arts, featuring new revisions by the playwright and directed by cara hinh.
DELTA BLUE Musical To Hold Industry Presentation In New York
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 23, 2026
The new musical DELTA BLUE, produced by Tamara Tunie and directed by Kent Gash, will present an invite-only industry showing in New York featuring Donald Webber Jr., Nkeki Obi-Melekwe, and NaTasha Yvette Williams.
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 23, 2026
The new musical DELTA BLUE, produced by Tamara Tunie and directed by Kent Gash, will present an invite-only industry showing in New York featuring Donald Webber Jr., Nkeki Obi-Melekwe, and NaTasha Yvette Williams.
Video: Henry Winkler Looks Back on Short-Lived Broadway Debut: 'It Was Devastating'
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 23, 2026
Henry Winkler has seen enormous onscreen success over the years, but his first Broadway outing was far from pleasant. Watch him reflect on the experience during an appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers.
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 23, 2026
Henry Winkler has seen enormous onscreen success over the years, but his first Broadway outing was far from pleasant. Watch him reflect on the experience during an appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers.
THE FEAST Reveals 2026 Seattle Season Including THE WEALTH WALK Remount
by Stephi Wild - Apr 22, 2026
Seattle's The Feast announced its 2026 season, including a remount of THE WEALTH WALK, a second iteration of ARTISTS DOING, and a workshop of William Saroyan's THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE, alongside a living-wage advocacy campaign.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 22, 2026
Seattle's The Feast announced its 2026 season, including a remount of THE WEALTH WALK, a second iteration of ARTISTS DOING, and a workshop of William Saroyan's THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE, alongside a living-wage advocacy campaign.
Improv Theater Class Series to Take Place at Arena Stage
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 21, 2026
An improv theater class series will be held on select Wednesdays in May and June at Arena Stage, with a free trial class available on Saturday, May 2 from 11:30am to 1pm.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 21, 2026
An improv theater class series will be held on select Wednesdays in May and June at Arena Stage, with a free trial class available on Saturday, May 2 from 11:30am to 1pm.
SPRING AWAKENING, RUMORS and More Set for Theatre Three 26-27 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 21, 2026
Theatre Three revealed its 2026-27 season, featuring Spring Awakening, a new commission Gremlins! (mostly), Neil Simon's Rumors, and more, with rush tickets, and student discounted tickets available.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 21, 2026
Theatre Three revealed its 2026-27 season, featuring Spring Awakening, a new commission Gremlins! (mostly), Neil Simon's Rumors, and more, with rush tickets, and student discounted tickets available.
DAMN YANKEES To Return To Broadway In 2027; Casting Begins In May
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 15, 2026
A Broadway revival of DAMN YANKEES, directed and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo, is aiming for a spring 2027 opening, with rehearsals expected to begin in January 2027.
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 15, 2026
A Broadway revival of DAMN YANKEES, directed and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo, is aiming for a spring 2027 opening, with rehearsals expected to begin in January 2027.
Noah Henry, Sarah-Anne Martinez and More to Star in WEST SIDE STORY at Paper Mill Playhouse
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 15, 2026
Paper Mill Playhouse has revealed the complete cast and the creative team for West Side Story, the final production of Paper Mill’s 2025-2026 season, including Noah Henry, Sarah-Anne Martinez making their Paper Mill debuts.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 15, 2026
Paper Mill Playhouse has revealed the complete cast and the creative team for West Side Story, the final production of Paper Mill’s 2025-2026 season, including Noah Henry, Sarah-Anne Martinez making their Paper Mill debuts.
Cedric Neal, Brayden Bambino and More to Star in PIPPIN at Signature Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 14, 2026
Signature Theatre has revealed the cast and creative team for the musical Pippin, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. The production will star Brayden Bambino as Pippin and Cedric Neal as the Leading Player.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 14, 2026
Signature Theatre has revealed the cast and creative team for the musical Pippin, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. The production will star Brayden Bambino as Pippin and Cedric Neal as the Leading Player.
Herbie Hancock, Wynton Marsalis, and More Set for 69th Annual MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 9, 2026
Monterey Jazz Festival has announced its 2026 lineup. The festival will feature Herbie Hancock and Wynton Marsalis. Ticket packages will go on sale this week.
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 9, 2026
Monterey Jazz Festival has announced its 2026 lineup. The festival will feature Herbie Hancock and Wynton Marsalis. Ticket packages will go on sale this week.
Arena Stage to Present VOICES OF NOW Festival of Youth-Devised Theater
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 8, 2026
Arena Stage will present the Voices of Now Festival, featuring four ensembles of middle and high school artists from across the DC region performing original works rooted in their lived experiences. Admission is free.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 8, 2026
Arena Stage will present the Voices of Now Festival, featuring four ensembles of middle and high school artists from across the DC region performing original works rooted in their lived experiences. Admission is free.
Videos