Olney Outdoors Schedule Released for Over 50 Events From 7/2-9/4

Olney Outdoors Schedule Released for Over 50 Events From 7/2-9/4

Per Olney Theatre Center:

Tickets are available now for Olney Theatre Center’s massive program of live summer events on the open-air Root Family Stage: “Olney Outdoors” at olneyoutdoors.LIVE.

Curated by Kevin McAllister, the series highlights cabaret, jazz, spoken word, drag, dance, faith-centered performances, and theatre for young audiences. Tent-pole free events include the BIPOC-majority company of National Players two-week run of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a live edition of Just Arts, and the return Labor Day weekend of OTC’s annual open house: SummerFest.

Kicking off Olney Outdoors and their 72nd season with a free production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream (July 2-11), is National Players, a unique ensemble based at Olney Theatre and bringing innovative productions to communities large and small across the United States. This season marks the ensemble’s first BIPOC-majority company, which in addition to Midsummer, will mount a production of A Raisin in the Sunover Labor Day Weekend indoors in OTC’s 1938 Original Theatre. The company will then tour both shows across America during the 2021-22 school year.

Following the opening run of Midsummer, Kevin McAllister, Olney’s Director of Curated Programs produces a new, live, two-evening edition of Just Arts: A Celebrations of Arts and Activism, which began as an online series last fall centering BIPOC artists. While past editions have focused on pillars of social justice, these new performances take up the theme of “Heritage” with the performance on Friday, July 16 titled, “My Heritage, My History” and the following night Saturday, July 17, titled “My Heritage, My Future.” Another international, online version of Just Arts is currently in the works, with dates and details to be announced shortly.

In the later part of July, Olney Outdoors gets into a regular rhythm. Free Wednesdays give audiences the opportunity to get on their feet with Dance Around the World (July 21 & 28), hear top poets and storytellers (and even try out their own verse during the open mic) at Sip ‘n’ Slam (August 4 &11), and be amazed by the extravagant costumes and outsize personalities at Olney in Drag (August 18 & 25), featuring lovable, local divas. In case of rain, Wednesday programs will be rescheduled to the next night, on Thursday.

The Andrew A. Isen Cabaret Series makes its home on Friday nights (July 23 – September 3) with some of the best of DC Theatre being paired in unexpected combinations, such as Awa Sal Secka with Bobby Smith (July 23), Donna Migliacciowith Nova Y. Payton (August 6) or Malinda Kathleen Reesewith Alan Wiggins (August 27). In the event of rain, the program will be moved indoors to the Olney Mainstage.

Saturdays belong to Jazz@Olney, which was co-curated by Mark G. Meadows, features established and rising stars of the DMV jazz scene, and kicks off with Rochelle Rice (July 24), who lately toured with Sweet Honey in the Rock.

Weekend mornings at 10:00 am and 12:00 pm feature performances from local troupes producing theatre for young audiences, highlighted by a three-week residence of Imagination Stage’s Paper Dreams, which is free to attend thanks to PNC Bank. Please note that the other shows in this series cost $12 per person.

Sing Praise! on Sunday afternoons presents performances from groups emanating from different faith and cultural traditions, beginning with the gospel of Charles Butler & Trinity (July 25), the Balkan and North African Jewish traditions of Trio Sefardi (August 1), or the Taoist-influenced improvisations of Chao Tian and Tom Teasley (August 15).

The season winds down with the return of SummerFest on Saturday, September 4 – OTC’s annual open house, which returns after a pandemic-induced year-off. Featuring a full day of performances, workshops, a used costume sale, food trucks, talks, and tours, this community gathering is the perfect way to polish off the summer. We’ll also end as we began, with a free National Players production – this time of A Raisin in the Sun, all weekend, indoors in our 1938 Original Theater.

Full schedule on following page:

Olney Outdoors Schedule (also available at olneyoutdoors.LIVE)

Unless noted, all events are outdoors on Olney Theatre’s Root Family Stage. All programs subject to change. Raindate for Wednesday night programs is the following Thursday night

In case of rain, all other programs will be moved inside to the Mainstage with distancing.

 

National Players

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Friday, Saturday, Sunday at 7:30 pm

July 2-11

Free

 

Just Arts Live!

Part I: My Heritage, My History

Friday, July 16

Part II: My Heritage, My Future

Saturday, July 17

7:00 pm

Free

BIPOC artists reflect on cultural history, memory, and legacy in a live performance companion to our online series.

Featuring: Explicit Dance Works, Christopher Michael Richardson, Bakari Wilder, JonJon Johnson, Ashley King, Tariq Moelly, Ayesis Clay.

 

 

Wednesday Night Programs

(Thursday Rain Dates)

All shows at 7:30 pm

Pay-What-You-Want

 

Dance Around the World

Dancers bring different corners of the world – India, West Africa, China, Brazil, and even NYC – to Olney for two Wednesdays full of rhythm, movement, and passion.

 

Wednesday, July 21

Dance Around the World Part I

Rhythmaya

Christina Camacho & Co.

KanKouran West African Dance

Wednesday, July 28

Dance Around the World Part II

 

Featuring

Company E

Xuejuan – Chinese Dance Ensemble

CHR Project by Charles Renato

 

Sip ‘n’ Slam

Enjoy a drink while listening to these expert storytellers and slam poets. Consider signing up for the open mic session when you arrive if you have a poem or short story to share.

 

Wednesday, August 4

Sip ‘n’ Slam Part I

Hosted by Simply Sherri

Featuring

LP

Black Root

Regie Cabico

Carlynn Newhouse

 

Wednesday, August 11

Sip ‘n’ Slam Part II

Hosted by Simply Sherri

Featuring

Vijai Nathan

Amin Drew Law

Charity Blackwell

Analysis

 

Olney in Drag

Lip-syncing, dancing, and costume extremes are guaranteed.

 

 

Wednesday, August 18

Olney in Drag Part I

Brooklyn Heights

Betty O’Hellno

Ariel Von Quinn

Evon Michelle

 

Wednesday, August 25

Olney in Drag Part II

Kristina Kelly

Vagenesis

Tiara Missou

Echinacea Monroe

 

Andrew A. Isen Cabaret Series

All Shows Fridays at 7:30 pm

$30/$25 members

 

Friday, July 23

Awa Sal Secka

Bobby Smith

 

Friday, July 30

Ines Nassara

Tracy Lynn Olivera

 

Friday, August 6

Donna Migliaccio
Nova Payton

 

Friday, August 13

Rayanne Gonzales

Rayshun Lamarr

 

Friday, August 20

Greg Maheu

Vishal Vaidya

 

Friday, August 27

Malinda Kathleen Reese

Alan Wiggins

 

Weekends- Theatre for Young Audiences

Performances at 10:00 am and 12:00 pm

Cost: $12 (except for Paper Dreams)

 

Saturday, July 24

Disney Sing-A-Long

Young Artists of America

$12

 

Saturday & Sunday, July 31 – August 1

PNC Presents

Paper Dreams

Imagination Stage

Free

 

Saturday & Sunday, August 7-8

PNC Presents

Paper Dreams

Imagination Stage

Free

 

Saturday & Sunday, August 14-15

PNC Presents

Paper Dreams

Imagination Stage

(Free)

 

Saturday, August 21

Rick Spacey: Space Detective

Only Make Believe Theatre

(sensory friendly)

$12

 

Saturday, August 28

Stoopkid Stories

$12

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday Nights-

Jazz@Olney

All shows at 7:30 pm

$30/$25 members

 

Saturday, July 24

Rochelle Rice

 

Saturday, July 31

Christie DaShiell

 

Saturday, August 7

Elijah Jamal Balbed

 

Saturday, August 14

Akua Allrich

 

Saturday, August 21

Warren Wolf

 

Saturday, August 28

Mark G. Meadows

 

Sing Praise!

Sundays at 5:00 pm

Cost $15

 

Faith-inspired performances from local and national performers represent an opportunity to connect across the many cultures present in our community.

 

 

 

Sunday, July 25

Charles Butler & Trinity

 

Sunday, August 1

Trio Sefardi/Vladimir Fridman

 

Sunday, August 8

Baltimore Choral Arts Society

 

Sunday, August 15

Chao Tian and Tom Teasley

 

Sunday, August 22

TBA

 

Sunday, August 29

TBA

 

A Raisin in the Sun

September 2-4

1938 Original Theatre

Pay-What-You Want

September 2, 3 & 4 at 7:30

September 4 at 2:00 pm

 

ALL DAY
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4

SUMMERFEST

Find schedule updates at olneyoutdoors.live Images, interviews, and video available upon request.

ABOUT OLNEY THEATRE CENTER

 

Mission

Olney Theatre Center for the Arts produces and curates theatrical performance for the diverse audiences in our community, and educates, learns from, supports and inspires a more inclusive generation of theater-makers.

 

Vision

We strive to become an arts and culture powerhouse, redefining the American regional theater movement by cultivating and sharing the creativity of our community.

 

History

Once a summer stock retreat in rural Maryland, Olney Theatre Center is now an award-winning, year-round regional theatre surrounded in a 15-mile radius by 1.6 million people representing three of the most ethnically diverse counties in America. Since our founding in 1938, some of the biggest names in theatre have appeared on our stages: from “Golden Era” stars like Helen Hayes and Tallulah Bankhead to contemporary artists like Sir Ian McKellen, Robin De Jesús, and many others. OTC welcomed Artistic Director Jason Loewith and Managing Director Debbie Ellinghaus in 2013 and 2014, respectively, who established a new artistic strategy to broaden programming with the goal of nurturing a diversity of voices and audiences. Olney Theatre Center now produces musicals and plays under the three rubrics of Classic, Contemporary and Family programming. Since 2013 Olney Theatre Center has twice won the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Musical Production, the Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding New Play and presented six world premieres. Complementing this work, OTC fulfills its mission as a teaching theater with educational programs like the Our Play program in local 5th grade classrooms, a summer camp and a year-round professional apprentice program. National Players, now in its 72nd Season, is the hallmark outreach program of OTC, a unique ensemble touring innovative theater to communities large and small across the United States.

 

For more information, please visit olneytheatre.org/history.

Recent Stories

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch are searching for the suspects involved in a fatal shooting during an armed robbery of a business. The decedent has been…

The City of Rockville recently received more than $3.9 million in federal earmark funding for a new emergency operations center, police radios, water main and sewer line rehabilitation, and storm…

Chief Antonio DeVaul from the Takoma Park Police Department has announced the arrest of Antonio Thompson, 29, of no fixed address, for stolen auto, theft from auto and 1st degree…

A Rottweiler puppy has been reunited with its owner after a good samaritan found the dog in a dumpster near her Silver Spring apartment on Thursday morning.

FEST OF SPRING Caribbean Wine Food & Music Festival

Get ready to experience the vibrant colors, tantalizing flavors, and infectious rhythms of the Caribbean at the FEST OF SPRING Caribbean Wine Food & Music Festival! Hosted by RHU LLC, this exciting festival is set to take place on May 18, 2024, at the picturesque 16700 Barnesville Rd in Boyds, MD.

Step into a world where the Caribbean spirit comes alive! From 12:00 PM onwards, immerse yourself in a sensory journey that celebrates the unique culture, cuisine, and music of the Caribbean. Whether you're an African American, a Reggae or Soca music enthusiast, a wine lover, or part of the vibrant Caribbean diaspora, this festival promises to delight and captivate you in every way.

Let the enticing aromas of mouthwatering Caribbean dishes tantalize your taste buds. Feast on traditional delicacies prepared by expert chefs, showcasing the rich and diverse culinary heritage of the Caribbean. Indulge in flavorful jerk chicken, succulent seafood, and delectable plantain dishes that will transport you straight to the islands.

Accompanying the culinary extravaganza is a carefully curated selection of premium wines, ensuring the perfect pairing for your palate. Sip on fine wines from renowned vineyards, each sip a reflection of the Caribbean's vibrant spirit. Discover new flavors, expand your wine knowledge, and savor unforgettable moments with every glass.

As the sun sets, get ready to groove to the infectious rhythms of Caribbean music. Feel the pulsating beats of reggae, soca, dancehall, and calypso, moving your body to the lively melodies. Live performances by talented musicians and performers will keep the energy high, ensuring a night of unforgettable entertainment.

Don't miss this opportunity to embrace the Caribbean spirit and celebrate the arrival of spring in style! Tickets are available on AllEvents, so secure your spot today. Join us at the FEST OF SPRING Caribbean Wine Food & Music Festival, where cultures collide and unforgettable memories are made.

LIVE PERFORMANCES By: CULTURE Feat. Kenyatta Hill, EXCO LEVI, IMAGE BAND, RAS LIDJ REGG'GO with Special Guest SUGAR BEAR FROM E.U. & MORE! & MORE!

MUSIC By: DJ ABLAZE, DJ SMALLY & NAJ SUPREME

2 NIGHT Camping packages available: RV/CAMPER $200 | TENTS $150 Starting on Friday May 17 @ 5pm | 30 RV SPACES | 30+ TENT SPACES

KIDS 12 & UNDER FREE!!!

Bethesda Film Fest

The 2024 Bethesda Film Fest will feature five short documentary films made by filmmakers from Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Screenings will be held Friday April 5 and Saturday April 6 at Landmark Bethesda Row Cinema.

×

Subscribe to our mailing list