"Where the puppet people at?" Because you need to know Luke Hartwood, a raising designer and performer in the DMV. A George Mason alum, Luke is a visual artist, a props designer, and all-around puppet maven--he can design them, make them, teach...

Mollie Greenberg is many things--an actor, a puppeteer, a teaching artist, and an emerging director. She's also a recovering 'shy kid,' who found theater as a way to learn more about herself and others. That curiosity has led Mollie to try--and...

Caleen Sinnette Jennings is an award-winning playwright and Professor of Theatre Emerita at American University. Theaters across the country have produced her celebrated

If you’ve ever asked yourself “Where do I put this blood bag?,“ or “How do I make the best fake wine?,”  or even “Is a parasol a prop or a costume?,” then you need to listen to Chris Young. The prop shop director at

If there’s one part of the theatrical process that can be mysterious, scary, and unfair, it’s casting. Danica Rodriguez is here to change all of that. A native New Yorker, Danica worked in casting for television and theater, including for the P...

Aubri O'Connor deftly wears so many hats she could make a milliner blush. The DC-based theater maker is the co-founder, co-producer, and artistic director of Nu Sass Production, which promotes marginalized ...

Who can carry on four conversations at once, keep track of an ever-growing list of props and ques, and fix the plot hole in the second act? A stage manager, and Che Wernsman is one of the best in the DMV. The resident SM at

When waacking and disco and crafting come up in one conversation, it must be about something deep and powerful and transformative like community engagement. Katherine Harroff (Director of Engagement and Associate Director of Public Programming ...

Eric Ruffin is a professor of theatre arts at Howard University, focusing on acting and directing. A Howard alum himself, he has helmed productions at Mosaic Theatre Company, Studio Theatre, 1st Stage, African Continuum Theatre Company, Imagina...

Shanara Gabrielle is a force for good in the DC theater scene. Since planting roots here in 2017, she has worked as an actor, director, and cultural producer across our region, and in July 2024, became the producing artistic director of Theater...

Sierra Young is a multi-hyphenate artist known for her violence and intimacy direction, as well as an actor and director. A graduate of Howard Community College and UMBC, where she worked with Chelsea Pace, Sierra quickly established her creden...

Dylan Arredondo has been building an incredibly impressive and varied resume of credits both in front of the footlights and behind the director's table. He's worked with companies from Signature to Chesapeake Shakes to Spooky Action, all of who...

No corner can contain Navi or their artistry, they’re so well rounded. A manymedia artist, they run the research and development wing of Flying V as an Artistic ...

Alberto Segarra is a lighting designer in the DMV who has probably illuminated almost as many people and places as the sun. He has designed in theaters of all shapes and sizes all over the District, as well as across the country, and won a Hele...

Arts journalist Rebecca Ritzel discusses her journey from early childhood storytelling to becoming a first-rate journalist and critic, adept at reviewing a wide range of performing arts as well as investigative and preview articles. A brilliant...

No one has likely welcomed more audience members to DC theaters than Joy Johnson, and certainly no one has done it with more humor, grace, and compassion than Joy. A patron services professional in the District for almost 20 years--first at Sha...

Shonali Burke is the Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer at Arena Stage, one of the largest and most prominent theater companies in the District. Trained as an actor and director in her native India, Shonali is today one of the best in the bus...

Kathryn Chase Bryer is a director, dramaturg, teacher, and administrator with a storied career at Imagination Stage, one of the country's largest and most innovative children's theater companies. Theater for Young Audiences has been central to ...

James J. Johnson has been bringing his blend of charm, poise, and humor to roles across DMV stages for almost 30 years, working at companies such as the African Continuum Theatre, Arena Stage, Imagination Stage, Woolly Mammoth, Theater J, and K...

Chani Wereley is one of the most versatile and talented performers in the DMV. After attending Young Artists of America in Maryland and Catholic University in DC, they've racked up an astonishing number and variety of projects, from new musical...

Danielle Preston is a DC-based costume designer who has worked her way up and all around the DMV theater scene. She has brought her keen eye, steady hand, and agile mind to thought-bold, provoking productions at companies from Avant Bard to The...

Aria Velz is a director, dramaturg, sound designer, teaching artist, and an emerging lesbian media critic.  She has worked at a long list of DMV theaters, including Signature Theatre, NextStop Theatre Company, Olney Theatre Center, Imagina...

Lizzi Albert and Gerrad Alex Taylor are DMV actors, directors, and educators. Longtime colleagues, they now serve as co-artistic directors of Perisphere Theater, a professional company which "produces plays that examine personal and collective ...

Nova Y. Payton is one of the DMV's brightest stars. Known for her amazing voice, gracious presence, and serious acting chops, she has worked in theaters across the region, with a special connection with Virginia's Signature Theater, where she h...

Kate Kenworthy is an actor in Washington, DC. They performed in two of 2023's most acclaimed productions with Rorschach Theatre and Spooky Action Theater, as well as other play readings and projects. They have no shortage of charisma and enthus...