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.
by Audrey Cahak - June 11, 2026
Billed by Edge of the Universe Theater as “Monty Python meets Oscar Wilde,” Loot is a quirky, satirical snapshot of 1960s Britain that shares images of 2020s America. Written in 1965 by controversial playwright Joe Orton, Loot explores religious, moral, and institutional corruption through the c...
by Roger Catlin - June 08, 2026
Theatre Prometheus, a company devoted to queer and feminist art, celebrates Pride Month 2026 with a production that’s more than 400 years old....
by Jake Bridges - June 07, 2026
What did our critic think of INDECENT at 1st Stage?...
by David Friscic - June 08, 2026
The historical and still-ongoing revelations about the children that Thomas Jefferson had with his slave woman Sally Hemmings has justifiably created a reevaluation of Thomas Jeferson’s image and reputation---as one can discover in Suzan-Lori Parks’ probing play Sally & Tom currently playing at ...
by Roger Catlin - June 03, 2026
“It’s not a play,” Justin Weaks declares fairly early in his one-man “A Fine Madness” presented by the Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company. “But we gon’ play,” he adds....
by Brian Bochicchio - June 01, 2026
National Tour is tighter and cleans up some of the grittier sensibilities while employing Broadway level talent....
by Roger Catlin - June 01, 2026
The Shakespeare Theatre Company has had a rich history of stars lured to its stage — not just to sell tickets through big names. The actors nearly always deliver — and the company attracts them because of the quality and rigor it retains....
by Roger Catlin - May 26, 2026
The separation of the Washington National Opera from the overrun-and-soon-to-close Kennedy Center has meant next season’s eight planned productions, including five full length operas, will occur on five different stages in the D.C. area. ...
by Mary Lincer - May 24, 2026
What did our critic think of THE MANNEQUIN at We Happy Few?...
by Aidan O'Connor - May 21, 2026
Certain facets of the human condition are foundational to our very existence – change, connection, desire. One such particularly toxic universal truth is a constant need to be something more than we currently are. To search for happiness in external achievement rather than within ourselves, in our...
Past Shows
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 brings a lively twist to the classic fairy tale, following Petite Rouge, a duckling in a red hood,...
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...
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...
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...
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 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...
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 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...
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...
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,...
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 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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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
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Loot Gunston Arts Center (6/05-6/28) |
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Wendell Pierce in Othello Shakespeare Theatre Company (5/19-6/28) |
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CrazySexyCool – The TLC Musical Arena Stage (6/12-8/09) |
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The Motion Arena Stage (5/06-6/14) |
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Once NextStop Theatre (5/21-6/21) |
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Commedia Christmas Carol (2024) Streaming Traveling Players Ensemble (12/23-12/23) |
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Purlie Victorious Studio Theatre (5/06-6/14) |
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Macbeth Three Notch Theatre (8/06-8/15) |
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Nickelodeon's The SpongeBob Musical Three Notch Theatre (7/10-8/02) |
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Dominick Pupa’s This Is Not a Pride Show But It’s June and I’m Gay DC Comedy Loft (6/18-6/18) |
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