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.
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 by Nina Meehan with music and lyrics by Austin Zumbro, it is produced by Third Wish...
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 of Christmas. Directed and choreographed by Helen Hayes Award winner Ashleigh King, who previously directed...
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 follow a year through the seasons. Children sit on the floor around the stage and may join in the action as the...
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 can't resist opening an oversized, mysterious gift from her grandfather Zeus, she accidentally unleashes a rowdy...
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 children who use their imaginations to turn their room inside out at bedtime. While playing dress-up, a glove...
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 inquisitive STEM heroes in Ms. Greer's classroom. Rosie Revere has big dreams, Iggy Peck has a relentless passion for...
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 Wicks La Puma. The production highlights a creative partnership for Imagination Stage and serves as...
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 Permanente. Starting October 2025, the program will deliver live theatre and workshops focusing on children's...
Besides the massive geopolitics of it all, the terror attacks also jolted individual emotions , almost to a person. We dealt as a nation with loss, felt empathy, a degree of hopelessness and a welling of national pride and determination as a way to endure and persevere.…
What did our critic think of PHILADELPHIA BALLET at Wolf Trap?…
The world premiere production kicking off the 51st season at GALA Hispanic Theatre, “GARBO: The Actor Who Saved the World,” is not, it turns out, about Greta at all. Rather, it’s about somebody else far fewer people have heard of, who was working roughly the same time — World War II to be sp…
Merrily We Roll Along tackles these behemoth existentialisms at a granular level in the lives of three old friends. It’s one of those shows that leaves you with something to ponder for days after the lights come up. In Signature Theatre’s hands, Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s masterpiece …
Freddie: A Girl (now being presented by the Taffety Punk Theatre Company) is a triumph of theatrical form over content. The subject of resistance fighters against the Nazis in World War II is obviously a fraught and very serious business especially in these polarized times-- but Director Lise Brunea…
Diana Gitelman brings her one-person show to the Logan Festival of Solo Performance. See what our critic had to say.…
If you’ve ever wondered what it may be like to party with the Brontё sisters, get ready to sip on a lot of cordials, margaritas, and rosè and experience an evening like no other at Nu Sass Productions’ Brontё Sister House Party.…
It is not often that a singer can enter a stage with a full symphony orchestra playing behind him and hold a sold out crowd of 7,028 people spellbound. This past Saturday evening at Wolf Trap’s Filene Center, Grammy nominated singer/actor Josh Groban did just that while being backed by YOUR Nation…
What did our critic think of THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW at Monumental Theatre?…
Theater fans should run and catch Ronald Rand’s fascinating solo show about Harold Clurman's life and career, which is part of the Logan Festival of Solo Performance at 1st Stage in Tysons Corner, Virginia through August 30.…
31 total · showing 11–20
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, and her friend TeJean as they navigate the bayou and confront Claude, the Big Bad Gator. This vibrant musical features a score infused with...
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 by Christopher Michael Richardson Everyone’s favorite bear from the 100 Acre Wood is surrounded by Christopher Robin, Piglet, Eeyore...
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 caring teacher Miss Nelson tries, they simply won’t listen (or stop throwing paper airplanes across the room). Fed up with their...
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 contemporary Latin-American Cinderella musical that weaves subtle lessons on empathy, sportsmanship, and respect into an exciting...
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 the world beyond their tiny mouse-hole. They decide to go to the moon, since it is cat-free and made entirely of delicious cheese, or...
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 creatures and explore the beautiful flora and fauna. Led by Jungle Guides, participants...
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, this special event follows all your favorite characters from “Brown Bear, Brown Bear,” “The Very...
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 will be held both indoors and outdoors at Imagination Stage, and features workshops and activities by several...
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 involving a cat, a dog, two friends, and a missing painting. Full of quirky characters and fun, this show brings the popular...
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, and props, actors lead children and caregivers in an interactive exploration of a magical place of play. The price you see includes...
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Brian Henson's Puppet Up! Lincoln Theatre (9/30-9/30) |
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GARBO: EL ACTOR QUE SAVÓ AL MUNDO (Garbo: The Actor Who Saved The World) GALA Hispanic Theatre (9/03-9/27) |
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A Monument To Comedy DC Improv (9/15-9/15) |
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Coming to America: An Immigrant Cabaret ExPats Theatre (9/30-10/18) |
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Some Like It Hot Bernard Family Theatre, Olney Theatre Center (9/18-11/08) |
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Stonewall's Bust The Writers Center (10/09-10/25) |
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Frosty The Snow Man Adventure Theatre MTC (11/21-1/03) |
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Are You Now or Have You Ever Been? Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater (10/17-12/06) |
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BAD KREYÒL Mosaic Theater Company (5/20-6/13) |
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Jitta's Atonement Washington Stage Guild (4/08-5/02) |
