Chicka Chicka Boom Boom: The Musical
This musical is a joy-filled celebration of letters, words, and imagination featuring infectious rhythms, dazzling puppets, lively dancing, and playful audience interaction. Written and directed...
About the Theatre
Imagination Stage was founded as BAPA (Bethesda Academy of Performing Arts) in 1979 in response to the urgent need for arts education for young people. The company was renamed Imagination Stage in 2001 in anticipation of its move to its downtown Bethesda theatre arts center in 2003. Imagination Stage has grown from a handful of children in a single classroom to a full-spectrum theatre arts organization, with theatre productions by professional actors and artists. Unlike most children’s theatre companies, Imagination Stage commissions new works for children every year. These productions have been recognized with awards and productions by other companies around the world.
Upcoming Shows
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical
This spectacular musical adaptation brings Whoville to life with whimsical sets, toe-tapping songs, and the timeless story of a Grinch who discovers the true meaning...
Wake Up, Brother Bear!
Written and originally directed by Kathryn Chase Bryer and Janet Stanford, this production invites audiences into the world of Brother and Sister Bear as they...
Pandora: Out of the Box!
This world-premiere musical, directed by Kathryn Chase Bryer, features book and lyrics by Psalmayene 24 and music by Deborah Wicks La Puma. When 10-year-old Pandora...
Inside Out and Backwards
Written and originally directed by Kathryn Chase Bryer and Natasha Holmes, with music composed by Tim Guillot, this interactive and highly visual production follows two...
TheaterWorksUSA's Rosie Revere, Ada Twist, and Iggy Peck: The Questioneers
Based on the books by Andrea Beaty, with book by Lauren Gunderson, music by Bree Lowdermilk, and lyrics by Kait Kerrigan, this production follows three...
Grand Slam Hero
This musical centers on real-life hero and baseball legend Roberto Clemente, written by the internationally celebrated musical theatre writing team of Karen Zacarías and Deborah...
Review: HISTORY ON FOOT at Ford’s Theatre and on the Streets Of DC
Good theatre can take place practically anywhere if you know what you want out of the experience. Since 2008 Ford’s Theatre has been conducting walking tours under the banner of History On Foot. The tour takes you around to several places that all have some kind of connection to the assassination …
Review: MACBETH at Shakespeare Theatre Company Academy
This production of Macbeth took a classic play and, through the use of minimal stage design, presents it in a unique way. Macbeth draws the audience in from the moment the lights go down, and has you on the edge of your seat until curtain call.…
Review: LEFTOVER LAZZI: A COMMEDIA CABARET at Capitol Hill Arts Workshop
Featuring a variety of recognizable musical theatre songs while performing with the physicality of Commedia dell’Arte, Faction of Fools delivers an enchanting yet hilarious cabaret, perfect for a summer night out. …
Review: THE WELL at District Fringe
THE WELL is a memorable and powerful production that will stay with you long after the house lights come up. Only three performances remain before it closes on Sunday, July 26 — don't miss it.…
Review: TWELFTH NIGHT at Shakespeare Theatre Company Academy
STC Academy's Summer Repertory wows with their production of Twelfth Night. The cast of young actors, nearing the completion of their graduate training at the Academy, deliver a professional caliber performance of the renowned comedy.…
Review: ADRIFT: A MEDIEVAL WAYWARD FOLLY by Happenstance Theatre
Stagecraft and magic shines a spotlight on the dark ages in Happenstance Theatre's ADRIFT: A MEDIEVAL WAYWARD FOLLY at Round House Theatre. See what our critic had to say.…
Review: B*TCH EAT DOG at District Fringe
What did our critic think of B*TCH EAT DOG at District Fringe?…
Review: MY FAVORITE SOCIOPATH at Contemporary American Theater Festival
We need plays like Aurin Squire's “My Favorite Psychopath” to remind us that when it comes to shameless, yellow journalism, we have nobody to blame but ourselves. Squire offers us a finely-crafted portrait of digital-age journalism in all its messiness, and director Céline Rosenthal has created…
Review: THIS IS A PLAY ABOUT GOD at District Fringe Festival
While the volleyball court may be the setting for most matchups, THIS IS A PLAY ABOUT GOD is far more concerned with the action behind the scenes when the athletes stop performing. Written by Aimee Dastin and directed by Rachel Johns, this is a world premiere produced as part of the District Fringe …
Review: BEST LINE WINS at Contemporary American Theater Festival
Ms. Kander has set herself a high bar indeed, writing at a level to match one of the early Sketch Comedy era’s most famous duos, and she absolutely nails it. It helps, too, that we have a perfect cast for this run: in the role of Elaine herself, Lori Vega is edgy, scalpel-sharp, and as proud and…
Past Shows
FeaturedPete the Cat: A Live Rock Musical
Life is a really, really, really big adventure as Pete the Cat and the Biddle family rock out in a fast-paced, globe-trotting musical based on...
Good Morning, Good Night
In this brand-new show, very young children will discover the beauty of the world during daytime and nighttime. They will watch–and help–Winnie and August work...
FeaturedHavana Hop
Join the Salsa & Hip-Hop Dance Party
Balloonacy
A beautiful, movement-based show that revisits the classic film The Red Balloon and will delight audiences of all ages and speakers of all languages. Nothing...
FeaturedThe Snowman™ and the Snowdog
Stage Adaptation by Janet StanfordBased on the animated film The Snowman™ and the SnowdogOriginal score by Ilan Eshkeri and Andy BurrowsAdditional compositions and orchestrations by Tim GuillotDirected by Janet StanfordThe...
FeaturedThe Very Hungry Caterpillar Show
Created by Jonathan RockefellerBased on Eric Carle's booksDirected by Nikki MirzaExperience 75 beautiful, larger-than-life puppets and original music as “Brown Bear, Brown Bear,” “The Very Lonely Firefly,” “10 Little Rubber Ducks,” and, of...
FeaturedDory Fantasmagory
Dory is a small kid with a BIG imagination.
The Last Martyr
The Last Martyr is a new touring play for teens, premiering at Imagination Stage and written by Malik Work. Directed by Alina Collins Maldonado, it...
Mother Goose
Written by Janet StanfordDirected by Kathryn Chase BryerThrough innovative puppets, props, and original music, eight classic Mother Goose rhymes come gently and tunefully to life. The magical...
FeaturedPetite Rouge, A Cajun Red Riding Hood
Based on the book Petite Rouge by Mike Artell, illustrated by Jim HarrisBook, Music, and Lyrics by Joan CushingDirected by Nathaniel ClaridadPetite Rouge, A Cajun Red Riding Hood updates...
Petite Rouge: A Cajun Red Riding Hood
Petite Rouge: A Cajun Red Riding Hood brings a lively twist to the classic fairy tale, following Petite Rouge, a duckling in a red hood,...
FeaturedWinnie the Pooh
From the stories of A.A. MilneDramatized by Le Clanché du RandMusic by Allan J. FriedmanLyrics by A.A. Milne and Kristin SergelDirected by Christopher Michael Richardson Everyone’s favorite bear from the 100...
Miss Nelson is Missing!
The fifth graders of Smedley Elementary School’s Room 207 are not just badly behaved–they’re the “worst kids of all!” No matter what their sweet and...
FeaturedCinderella: A Salsa Fairy Tale
A bilingual Cinderella with a twist that kids will love!What will happen to Cinderella at the ball … game? That's the surprising question in this...
Mouse on the Move
Part of Imagination Stage's Theatre for the Very Young series, Mouse on the Move is best for ages 1-5. Two adventurous mice are ready to explore...
Jungle Discovery
Jungle Discovery is an engaging and immersive interactive experience for children ages 3-6 and their adults. Participants enter a fantastical jungle world where they may dress up as exotic...
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show
Back by popular demand - THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR SHOW returns with performances in English and Spanish!Using more than 70 beautiful, larger-than-life puppets and original music,...
Arts for All! Children's Fest
Arts for All! Children's Festival is a FREE, fun, hands-on celebration of performing and visual arts especially for children ages 1-8 on October 21 from 10:00-1:00. It...
Nate the Great
Art matters in this musical mystery! A boy who loves detective work and calls himself Nate the Great is thrust into solving not one, but two mysteries...
Aquarium
Enter a fantastical island world where fish soar through the air, lemons light up the sky, and sheep go parading by. With gentle music, puppets,...
FeaturedNaked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience
When clothing suddenly falls from the sky, Wilbur J. Mole Rat stuns the colony with his decision to get dressed! In a community where baring...
A Year with Frog and Toad
A musical celebration of friendship and holiday fun!In this hit Broadway musical, two best friends with opposite personalities wake up from hibernation and enjoy hilarious...
S.P.I.E.S. 2: Flight of the Hawk
Join S.P.I.E.S. in person, where it is more interactive than ever! This follow-up to the online hit S.P.I.E.S. & the Lost Treasure of Atlantis combines...
In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson
Adapted from the award-winning novel, this play tells the touching story of a young Chinese American girl and her family moving from China to the...
The Snow Queen
Join us this winter for a new kind of theatre experience designed expressly for the current moment. A virtual show with Imagination Stage allows your...
Play In A Day
Six professional Washington, D.C. area theatre companies will write, direct, rehearse and perform original plays based on similar themes in only 24 hours. The plays...
Play In A Day
Six professional Washington, D.C. area theatre companies will write, direct, rehearse and perform original plays based on similar themes in only 24 hours. The plays...
The Wind in the Willows
This musical retelling of the classic is faithful to the novel and features the beloved characters Mr. Toad, Mole, Ratty and Mr. Badger. It is...
George and Martha- Tons of Fun
The two endearing hippos from the James Marshall picture books stomp onto stage in this warm and funny musical adaptation. George and Martha are best...
The Day John Henry Came to School
Johnny is a typical 5th grader, way into video games and not especially motivated at school. Imagine his surprise one night when there's a loud...
Perseus Bayou
This award-winning musical sets the classic Greek myth of Perseus and his quest for the snake-headed Medusa in post-Civil War Louisiana. To save the bayou...
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CrazySexyCool – The TLC Musical Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater (6/12-8/09) |
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"1776" The Alden Theatre (7/24-8/02) |
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7th Street Echo Mosaic Theater Company (3/25-4/18) |
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Little Shop of Horrors 40th Anniversary Tour with Ellen Greene (the Original Audrey) Lincoln Theatre (9/25-9/25) |
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Ford''s Theatre presents: Come From Away Ford's Theatre (9/10-10/18) |
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Gershwin, Bernstein & American Mosaic Wolf Trap (8/15-8/15) |
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Beyond Therapy by Christopher Durang ARTfactory (7/24-8/02) |
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Dracula's Midnight Masquerade George C. Marshall's Dodona Manor (10/16-11/01) PHOTOS VIDEOS |
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ArmEvents presents: An Evening of Elegance & Virtuosity Live Concert F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre (9/12-9/12) |
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Tarzan The Washington County Playhouse (6/26-8/16) |