Best Theaters in Washington DC | Shows, Plays & Performances

Theater Alliance

Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company

Intimate, modern venue for live theater. Cozy home-base facility for a stalwart theater company known for original productions.

Shakespeare Theatre Company: Harman Hall

Shakespeare Theater Company performances. Large, multi-level performance venue presenting the award-winning Shakespeare Theater Company.

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Renowned performing arts arena. Esteemed cultural center hosting plays, music & dance shows in its multiple theaters plus art tours.

Signature Theatre

Contemporary & classic musicals & plays. Professional theater that produces new works, plus contemporary & classic musicals & plays.

Folger Theatre

GALA Hispanic Theatre

Center for Latino performing arts. Center produces a wide range of theatrical arts that aim to engage the Latino community.

Ford's Theatre

Historic performing arts venue. The site of Lincoln's assassination, this historic theater offers nightly performances & tours.

Shakespeare Theatre Company: Klein Theatre

Troupe's original home with 451 seats. Of its 2 theaters, this award-winning troupe's small, original home has 451 seats (boxes included).

Studio Theatre

Contemporary plays & acting classes. Contemporary theater showcases new writing from around the world in intimate performance spaces.

Theater J

Produces works related to Jewish culture. Known for works on Jewish culture, this theater group performs in the 240-seat Goldman Theatre.

Olney Theatre Center

Regional theater for classic productions. Performing arts space offering an array of professional productions from classics to area premieres.

National Theatre DC

Storied Broadway-style stage. Dating from 1835, this 1,672-seat theater puts on touring Broadway musicals & public-service shows.

Constellation Theatre Company

The Avalon Theatre

Longtime art cinema showing indie films. Independent & foreign movies plus documentaries & film festivals in a historic theater with a cafe.

The Puppet Co.

Puppet-centric shows for kids & adults. Playhouse offering both adult productions & classic stories for kids using live actors & puppets.

Lincoln Theatre

Performing arts in a historic venue. Once home to artists like Nat King Cole, this refined theater features multicultural programming.

Warner Theatre

Historic stage for big-name musicians. Art deco movie palace now staging performances by well-known bands, comedians & dance troupes.

Lisner Auditorium

The Howard Theatre

Live performances & Southern cuisine. Southern soul-food supper club in a historic African-American theater with a Sunday gospel brunch.