Theater Alliance has unveiled its exciting lineup for the 2025–26 season, showcasing a variety of productions that deeply reflect the complexities of contemporary society and the strength of local communities.
This upcoming season promises to engage audiences with two premiere productions, the highly anticipated return of the Hothouse New Play Block Party, and a series of civic engagement initiatives aimed at fostering dialogue and connection.
Continuing its tradition of socially conscious theater, Theater Alliance is committed to portraying narratives that resonate with the diverse experiences of Washingtonians from all walks of life.
As Theater Alliance approaches the end of its tenure in the temporary venue at 340 Maple Drive SW, made possible by a partnership with Hoffman & Associates and supported by the DC Department of Buildings and Mayor Bowser’s PUP initiative, the organization is actively working toward a permanent home.
Amidst this transition, Theater Alliance remains steadfast in its mission to tell authentic stories that reflect the lived realities of its community.
Executive Artistic Director Shanara Gabrielle expressed the ethos of the upcoming season, stating, “This season is about honesty and fire. It’s about what happens when people decide to take action, connect, and embrace hope.”
Gabrielle highlighted the importance of envisioning a better future, both on stage and within the community.
The season kicks off with the play fire work, written by Mary Glen Fredrick, which is a Rolling World Premiere produced in collaboration with the National New Play Network, Unicorn Theatre in Kansas City, and The VORTEX in Austin.
Set against a backdrop of a surreal dystopia, fire work follows the lives of Eleanor and Bartholomew, two factory workers whose mundane existence is punctuated by their nightly ritual of setting off fireworks.
As political changes threaten their way of life, Eleanor ignites a rebellion born out of small acts of defiance, friendship, and the challenges of survival in a system designed to wear them down.
Under Gabrielle’s direction, this production serves as a compelling invitation for audiences to consider how revolutions, both large and small, can manifest in their own lives.
Later in the fall, Theater Alliance will present the DC Regional Premiere of Furlough’s Paradise, a poignant work by a.k. payne, who has been recognized with the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize and the Kendada National Playwriting competition.
Furlough’s Paradise artfully explores themes of family, memory, and the emotional labor required to reconnect, particularly within the context of Black kinship and generational healing.
Directed by Autumn Angelettie—who previously directed Covenant at the pop-up space—the play tells the story of Sade, who, on a three-day furlough from prison, learns how to navigate her complicated return with her cousin Mina.
Set in a living room filled with memories and unspoken tensions, the narrative follows their journey as they confront the past and explore the possibilities of their future together.
This spring, audiences can look forward to the return of the celebrated Hothouse New Play Block Party, which has established itself as a crucial platform for new works by local DC artists.
Beyond performances, the Block Party fosters conversation and community-building, highlighting Theater Alliance’s ongoing commitment to supporting the regional new play ecosystem.
As Theater Alliance continues its innovative and community-centered approach, the 2025–26 season is set to spark meaningful connections among audiences while addressing the pressing issues of today.
image source from：broadwayworld
