Blog - Imagination Stage

IStage Star: Vivian Poe

December 18, 2018

IStage Star: Vivian Poe When Vivian Poe saw her first show at Imagination Stage in 2014, she knew immediately that she wanted to be a musical theatre actress. Four years later, Poe is still an avid student at Imagination Stage, and is currently stunning onstage as Debbie Wilkinson in Signature Theatre’s production of Billy Elliot the Musical. Poe was nine years old when she relocated to Bethesda from San Juan, Puerto Rico. She had a talent for the performing arts, dancing with Ballet Concierto de San Juan since the age of four and singing with Coro de Niños de San […]

Imagination Stage Founding Artistic Director Invited to Speak in Beijing

September 7, 2018

Imagination Stage Founding Artistic Director Invited to Speak in Beijing In late August, Founding Artistic Director Janet Stanford and Associate Artistic Director Kathryn Chase Bryer traveled to Beijing, China to attend ASSITEJ’s Artistic Gathering 2018, where Janet was asked to speak on the importance of international collaboration in the arts. As “The Olympics of Children’s Theatre,” the International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People (ASSITEJ) is engaged with 92 countries and 75 national centers to promote, research, and develop theatrical arts for children and young people worldwide. The Artistic Gathering provides a platform for teaching artists to exchange […]

2017-18 Top Ten

August 30, 2018

Our 2017-2018 Season comes to a close this week! Check out the top ten highlights of the year: 1. R.E. S. P. E. C. T. Associate Artistic Director Kate Bryer wins two Helen Hayes Awards for Alice in Wonderland. All of Imagination Stage’s FY18 shows are Helen Hayes recommended! 2. Advocacy Senator Chris Van Hollen invites ¡Oyeme! to perform on Capitol Hill; followed by a performance at Catholic University sponsored by a $25k grant from the Interamerican Development Bank. Plus, ¡Oyeme! is featured in an article in the American Theatre Magazine. 3. Financial Success We enjoy the highest grossing year for […]

Imagination Stage Partners with DC Police Foundation

August 1, 2018

Imagination Stage Partners with Washington DC Police Foundation In mid-July, teaching artists from Imagination Stage collaborated with the Washington D.C. Police Foundation to introduce five police officers and 25 D.C. students to the power of theatre and its expressive capabilities. Officers and students participated in a series of arts-based workshops— including improvisation, acting, poetry, and mural painting —that culminated in a final performance for family and friends at Ron Brown High School. The theme of the week was community. Imagination Stage teaching artists asked the participants to choose something they would like to change in their community and devise scenes […]

Imagination Stage Highlighted as One of the Top 5 places in Bethesda by Fox 5 DC

July 27, 2018

Imagination Stage Highlighted as One of the Top 5 places in Bethesda by Fox 5 DC Local news viewers caught a glimpse of Imagination Stage this morning on Fox 5’s weekly Zip Trip! Every Friday in the summer, Fox 5 DC explores a new neighborhood in the D.C. Area. Past Zip Trips have included Anacostia, Alexandria, and Laurel. Anchors Holly Morris and Maureen Umeh highlighted the top 5 must-stop spots in Bethesda, featuring Imagination Stage alongside Bethesda Bagels, Strosniders Hardware, several art galleries, and the shops at Bethesda Row. Watch the full clip here http://www.fox5dc.com/good-day/zip-trip/bethesda-zip-trip-a-great-blend-of-city-and-suburb, and be sure to check out these must-stop […]

IStage Dance Theatre Ensemble Takes the Stage in Brixten, Italy

July 25, 2018

IStage Dance Theatre Ensemble Takes the Stage in Brixten, Italy The teen members of the IStage Dance Theatre Ensemble received the chance of a lifetime this June, when they became the first American performers to attend the Sapperlot International Meeting of Youth Theatre in Brixten, Italy. This festival — created by teenagers for teenagers —develops an international community of young theatre practitioners by inviting groups from around the world to perform. This prestigious festival aims to expand students’ worldview and perception of theatre by presenting performances from various cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Our ensemble performed pieces choreographed by Imagination Stage […]

Coming Soon: A New Look for Imagination Stage!

July 16, 2018

Coming Soon: A New Look for Imagination Stage! When we opened our doors on Auburn Avenue 15 years ago, Imagination Stage served 20,000 students and audience members a year. Today, we reach nearly 100,000 children and families annually! After a decade and a half of growth, it’s time for a refresh. State leaders such as Comptroller Peter Franchot and Governor Larry Hogan have recognized Imagination Stage’s significant contributions to the community with a grant for the renovation of our building. The centerpiece of this renovation will be a re-imagined lobby featuring: – A modern, family-focused design – An interactive activity […]