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IMAGINATION STAGE

4908 Auburn Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20814

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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.

The Snowman™ and the Snowdog


Stage Adaptation by  Janet Stanford Based on the animated film  The Snowman™ and the Snowdog Original score by  Ilan Eshkeri and Andy Burrows Additional compositions  ...

Balloonacy
Balloonacy
1/10 - 2/15/2026


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 ...

Havana Hop
Havana Hop
2/14 - 3/7/2026


A charming, dynamic tale of culture and originality, created by award-winning DC and IStage artist Paige Hernandez, using her childhood as inspiration. What if you ...

Good Morning, Good Night
Good Morning, Good Night
3/21 - 4/19/2026


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 ...

Pete 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 ...

Educational Theatre Program
10/1 - 10/1/2028


Imagination Stage, a leading theatre dedicated to youth development through the arts, is set to launch a national Educational Theatre Program in partnership with Kaiser ...



Review: THE SNOWMAN AND THE SNOWDOG at Imagination Stage


by Jennifer Muscato - November 28, 2025

THE SNOWMAN AND THE SNOWDOG is a loved, British animated short children’s film and you can now see it acted out on stage at Imagination Stage in Bethesda, MD....

Imagination Stage To Premiere THE SNOWMAN AND THE SNOWDOG for the Holiday Season


by A.A. Cristi - October 23, 2025

Imagination Stage in Bethesda will present the world premiere of The Snowman and the Snowdog from November 19, 2025, through January 4, 2026. Adapted by Janet Stanford from the beloved animated film....

National Tour in Support of School Community Mental Health Launches


by Stephi Wild - October 15, 2025

Programming has kicked off with Empathy Quest, a high-energy, extremely engaging piece, touring in California, the Mid-Atlantic, and Georgia this fall. ...

Review: THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR SHOW at Imagination Stage


by Jennifer Muscato - September 23, 2025

What did our critic think of THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR SHOW at Imagination Stage? Four stories from iconic children’s book author Eric Carle, 75 puppets, and even a bubble party – what could go wrong? Spoiler alert: nothing. Everything goes right....

THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR SHOW is Coming to Imagination Stage


by Chloe Rabinowitz - August 20, 2025

Imagination Stage will bring the perennial favorite The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show beautifully to life on stage. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets!...

Imagination Stage and Kaiser Permanente Reveal National Partnership


by Stephi Wild - July 09, 2025

Imagination Stage, the metro DC region's largest professional theatre for young audiences and leader in positive youth development through the arts, has received an exclusive three-year grant from the Kaiser Permanente Fund at the East Bay Community Foundation....

Spotlight: DORY FANTASMAGORY at Imagination Stage


by BWW Special Offer - June 27, 2025

See 'brilliant' DORY FANTASMAGORY this summer, plus 25-26 shows at Imagination Stage. You won't want to miss Dory Fantasmagory! This seriously silly production is based on the popular books by Abby Hanlon. Raves about its 'uproarious comedy, dynamic characters, and innovative visuals...vividly brin...

Review: DORY FANTASMAGORY at Imagination Stage


by Jennifer Muscato - June 30, 2025

If you have a kid in elementary school, the wildly popular Dory Fantasmagory book series is likely on your radar. What you may not be aware of is there is a stage show based on the books. Recently, my son and I caught Dory Fantasmagory making its East Coast premiere. It was silly, funny, and, maybe ...

PETE THE CAT and More Set for Imagination Stage 2025–2026 Season


by A.A. Cristi - June 17, 2025

Imagination Stage has announced its 2025–2026 season—a lineup of seven productions including two newly commissioned World Premieres. With animals at the heart of many stories, this year’s selections celebrate comfort, connection, and curiosity—providing imaginative, multi-sensory experiences for chi...

Broadway Cares Reveals Key Additions to Leadership Team


by Stephi Wild - June 05, 2025

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS has announced key additions to its leadership team: Director of Development Sarah Cardillo, Senior Development Officer Brian Marshall, Senior Partnerships Officer Cydney Regus and Senior Content Manager Francesca Toscano....

Past Shows

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show


Created by  Jonathan Rockefeller Based on  Eric Carle's books Directed by  Nikki Mirza Experience 75  beautiful , larger-than-life  puppets  and original  music  as “Brown Bear, ...

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show


Experience 75  beautiful , larger-than-life  puppets  and original  music  as “Brown Bear, Brown Bear,” “The Very Lonely Firefly,” “10 Little Rubber Ducks,” and, of course, ...

Dory Fantasmagory
Dory Fantasmagory
6/18 - 8/3/2025


Dory is a small kid with a BIG imagination.

The Last Martyr
4/1 - 4/30/2025


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
Mother Goose
3/1 - 4/13/2025


Written by  Janet Stanford Directed by  Kathryn Chase Bryer Through innovative puppets, props, and original music, eight classic Mother Goose rhymes come gently and tunefully ...

Petite Rouge, A Cajun Red Riding Hood


Based on the book  Petite Rouge by Mike Artell, illustrated by Jim Harris Book, Music, and Lyrics by  Joan Cushing Directed by  Nathaniel Claridad Petite ...


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, ...

Winnie the Pooh
Winnie the Pooh
9/21 - 10/27/2024


From the stories  of A.A. Milne Dramatized by  Le Clanché du Rand Music by  Allan J. Friedman Lyrics by  A.A. Milne and Kristin Sergel Directed ...

Miss Nelson is Missing!
Miss Nelson is Missing!
6/20 - 8/10/2024


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 ...

Cinderella: 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 ...

Mouse on the Move
Mouse on the Move
1/13 - 2/11/2024


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 ...

Jungle Discovery
Jungle Discovery
12/26 - 1/14/2024


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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Nate the Great
Nate the Great
6/21 - 8/11/2023


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  ...

Aquarium
Aquarium
1/14 - 2/12/2023


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, ...

Naked 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 Year with Frog and Toad
11/18 - 1/7/2023


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 ...

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
The Snow Queen
12/12 - 2/28/2021


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
The Wind in the Willows
6/22 - 8/14/2011


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
Perseus Bayou
2/5 - 3/13/2011


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 ...

Videos


The Snowman and The Snowdog in Washington, DC The Snowman and The Snowdog
Imagination Stage (11/22 - 1/4) Tracker
VIDEOS
Step Afrika!'s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show in Washington, DC Step Afrika!'s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show
Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater (12/5 - 12/23) Tracker
 ho ho ho ha ha ha ha in Washington, DC ho ho ho ha ha ha ha
Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company (11/13 - 12/21) Tracker
Chanukah in the Dark in Washington, DC Chanukah in the Dark
Theater J (12/6 - 12/21) Tracker
Guys and Dolls in Washington, DC Guys and Dolls
Shakespeare Theatre Company (12/2 - 1/4) Tracker
Fremont Ave. in Washington, DC Fremont Ave.
Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater (10/8 - 12/7) Tracker
Catch Me If You Can in Washington, DC Catch Me If You Can
Shenandoah Conservatory (2/26 - 3/1) Tracker
The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show in Washington, DC The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show
The Dinner Detective Washington DC (12/12 - 12/12)
RENT in Concert in Washington, DC RENT in Concert
The Music Center at Strathmore (2/25 - 2/25)
Happy Days by Samuel Beckett in Washington, DC Happy Days by Samuel Beckett
Washington Stage Guild (1/29 - 2/22)
How Shakespeare Saved My Life in Washington, DC How Shakespeare Saved My Life
Folger Shakespeare Library (6/9 - 7/5)
White Christmas in Washington, DC White Christmas
Riverside Center for the Performing Arts (11/5 - 12/28)
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