Putting The American Spirit In The SpotlightUnder the leadership of Artistic Director Molly Smith, Arena Stage has become the largest theater in the country dedicated to American plays and playwrights.
Founded in 1950 by Zelda Fichandler, Thomas Fichandler and Edward Mangum, Arena Stage was one of the nation’s original resident theaters, and has a distinguished record of leadership and innovation in the field. With the opening of the new Mead Center for American Theater in 2010, Arena Stage will have emerged as a leading center for the production, development and study of the American theater. Now in its sixth decade, Arena Stage serves a diverse annual audience of more than 200,000.
Washington Drama Society, D.B.A. Arena Stage, is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization.
Our focus is the Canvas of American Theater
While we will always produce American classics, Arena Stage also
premieres new American plays and supports works in progress. After all,
being a pioneer involves keeping the American theater movement vital.
