Theatre & Nightlife

Synetic Theater

 

Synetic Theater’s mission is to be the premier American physical theater, fusing dynamic art forms — such as text, drama, movement, acrobatics, dance and music — by producing world-class theater for all ages, educating the next generation of artists and physical theater professionals, and promoting this distinct form of theater nationally and internationally through community outreach and touring programs.  Now Showing

Howard Theatre

 

Howard Theatre

Built in 1910 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, The Howard Theatre has over a century of history in DC. As the city’s premiere performance space, music legends of both the past and present have graced its stage. Recently restored and reopened as of April 2012, The Howard once again is set to present top name talent, thus beginning a new chapter in it’s long and prestigious history.
In addition to the great acts that will perform here, The Howard will have the ability to host private events with a wide range of unique features not offered anywhere else in Washington DC. The Howard boasts a brand new stage and artist facilities as well as a dazzling interior that pays homage to its history. In addition, we have the flexibility to create an intimate event with top-of-the-line production capabilities while also providing the benefits of a full scale kitchen with a menu created by celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson, a wide range of spirits and beverages, and a full staff of professional servers, bartenders, hosts, and managers. Learn more

H Street Playhouse

 

The H Street Playhouse, is located at 1365 H Street, NE, was opened in  2002 as  100-seat flexible seating black-box theater. For a number of years a group of artists and other professionals have initiated a new  interest in the development of the H Street commercial corridor in northeast Washington, DC. Along with city officials, small business  owners, and a few other theaters, the Theater Alliance and the H Street Playhouse have been at the forefront of a movement that is now  garnering steam to revitalize this area of the nation’s capital. The creation of the H Street Playhouse was the first step in what is  becoming a long awaited renaissance and restoration of this DC community. The primary resident company is Theater Alliance; Forum  Theatre is also in residence having produced their last two seasons at the Playhouse. The H Street Playhouse (including the gallery space) is  be available for all local artists and community organizations to reserve as a place to share their work on a space available basis. Learn More

Tivoli Theatre

 

The Tivoli Theatre is a landmark building in the Columbia Heights neighborhood of Washington, D.C. on 14th Street and Park Road Northwest. Originally built as a movie theater, it currently (as of 2006) exhibits live stage productions as the home of theGALA Hispanic Theatre.

GALA (Grupo de Artistas Latinoamericanos) Hispanic Theatre is a National Center for Latino Performing Arts in the nation’s capital. For 34 years, GALA has been promoting and sharing the Latino arts and cultures with a diverse audience, creating work that speaks to communities today, and preserving the rich Hispanic heritage for generations that follow. By developing and producing works that explore the breadth of Latino performing arts, GALA provides opportunities for the Latino artist, educates youth, and engages the entire community in an exchange of ideas and perspectives.

GALA has staged over 165 productions, ranging from classical Spanish theater to contemporary Latin American plays, original musicals, and works by local Latino youth; toured elementary schools with bilingual children’s programs; and participated in national and international theater festivals.

GALA partners regularly with other local arts groups, including the In Series, Young Playwrights’ Theater, and Washington Performing Arts Society, with whom it co-presents the annual ArteAmericA series.  Over the years, ArteAmericA has introduced Washington D.C. audiences to over 100 established and cutting-edge performing artists, including Tito Puente, Guillermo Gómez Peña, Lila Downs, and Gilberto Gil, and provided hundreds of local school children the opportunity to participate in workshops with these talents. Learn More

Lincoln Theatre

 

The Lincoln Theatre, built in 1922, was the center of a cultural renaissance that predated Harlem. Washington natives Duke Ellington and Pearl Bailey were joined by nationally acclaimed artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holliday, Nat King Cole, Cab Calloway,Louis Armstrong, and Sarah Vaughn who performed regularly on our storied stage. EvenFDR had his birthday parties at the Lincoln Colonnade, a festive party hall once located at the Theatre.

Now experiencing a second renaissance, we remain committed to entertain, educate and inspire by offering and preserving an historical community treasure, the Lincoln Theatre, for multi-cultural experiences and programming. As a hybrid community-commercial venue, we are stimulating a cultural dialogue nationally and in our own neighborhood.

Arts partnerships and generous funding by the District allow us to give back through our Cultural Catalyst Enrichment Initiative. National-level talents like Carrie Fisher and Alicia Keys are increasing our profile as the main stage for the revitalization of the U Street Corridor. Join us in continuing to preserve the Lincoln’s legacy as a cultural beacon for Washington and the world. Learn More

Shakespeare Theatre

Over the past quarter of a century, the Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, D.C., has become “the nation’s foremost Shakespeare company” (Wall Street Journal) and the “region’s most dynamic theatre” (The Washington Post), and received more Helen Hayes Awards for producing than any other theatre. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Kahn, STC has grown from its residence at the Folger Shakespeare Library to the Lansburgh Theatre in 1992 to the opening of the brand new Sidney Harman Hall in 2007. Learn More

Ford’s Theatre

The site of the April 14, 1865, assassination of President Lincoln, Ford’s Theatre holds a unique place in United States history. The theatre has enthralled millions of visitors since its reopening in 1968, and it is one of the most visited sites in the nation’s capital.

Ford’s Theatre’s celebrates the legacy of Abraham Lincoln and to explore the American experience through theatre and education. The Ford’s Theatre Society works to present the Theatre’s nearly one million visitors each year with a high quality historic and cultural experience. Its work is what makes this vibrant historic site an important tool for promoting the ideals of leadership, humanity and wisdom espoused by Abraham Lincoln.
With works from the nationally acclaimed Big River to the world premieres of Meet John Doe and The Heavens Are Hung In Black, Ford’s Theatre is making its mark on the American theatre landscape.  Within the near future, Ford’s Theatre will also be recognized as a major center for learning, where people of all ages can examine the events of that fateful evening in 1865 and experience the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln.

Since its reopening in 1968, Ford’s Theatre has presented plays and musicals celebrating the legacy of Abraham Lincoln and exploring the American experience. With works from the nationally acclaimed Big River to the world premieres of Liberty Smith, The Heavens Are Hung in Black and Meet John Doe, Ford’s Theatre is making its mark on the American theatre landscape. For it’s accomplishments, Ford’s Theatre was honored in 2008 with the National Medal of Arts, the highest award given by the U.S. government to artists, art institutions and arts patrons.

In 1849, William A. Petersen, a German tailor, constructed the plain red brick three-story and basement townhouse across the street from Ford’s Theatre. After the shooting President Lincoln was carried to the house and tended in a back bedroom until his death hours later.

Since acquiring the house (now 516 10th Street) in 1933, the National Park Service has maintained it as a historic house museum, recreating the scene at the time of Lincoln’s death. Here, visitors can learn more about that fateful night and the people who surrounded the President in his final hours.

The Petersen House, operated by the National Park Service, is open daily (except December 25) from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. On September 26, 2010, the National Park Service (NPS) will begin a major rehabilitative project on the Petersen House (the House where President Lincoln Died), resulting in a temporary closure of the house. During this closure, patrons will not be able to visit the house. For more information, click here.

Admission is free but does require a ticket. Every visitor two years of age and older wishing to enter the Petersen House must present a timed entry ticket, this will be the same ticket presented to enter the theatre. In the event the theatre is not available for tours, tickets are still required to enter the Petersen House. For more information on arranging a ticket, click here.