Arena Stage
Founded in 1950, Arena Stage has long been about “putting the American spirit in the spotlight” as the company tagline phrases it. What that means is that the theater produces the works of American artists, choosing plays that explore themes of American diversity, challenges, and passions. A typical season feat ...
Founded in 1950, Arena Stage has long been about “putting the American spirit in the spotlight” as the company tagline phrases it. What that means is that the theater produces the works of American artists, choosing plays that explore themes of American diversity, challenges, and passions. A typical season features an American classic or two, a musical or two, new plays by emerging playwrights, world premieres, and, because Arena is in the nation’s capital, a play of political topicality. Many Arena Stage productions go on to win Tony awards on Broadway, as did Dear Evan Hansen, the 2017 Tony winner for best new musical.
The theater is D.C.’s second-largest after the Kennedy Center. Officially called “The Mead Center for American Theater,” the venue’s three staging areas are the theater-in-the-round Fichandler Stage, the fan-shaped Kreeger Theater, and the intimate (200-seat), oval-shaped Kogod Cradle. Locals love Arena’s productions, which draw more than 300,000 of us annually. Expect a mix of light-hearted musicals, shows highlighting African music and dance, and powerful, thought-provoking productions built around historical events like the Civil Rights Movement and tough topics such as immigration, bodily autonomy, and the 1980s AIDS epidemic.
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