Events

Vocalist William “Smooth” Wardlaw breathes new life into the timeless love ballads of the legendary Luther Vandross. Smooth’s tribute perfectly captures Luther’s silky vocals and rich sound; you won’t want to miss this must-see performance! The band infuses the stage with vibrant energy and outstanding showmanship, ensuring you will be left wanting more.

Do you have to speak at large events, but feel you don’t always convey your message effectively? Do you find yourself uncomfortable once you get in front of an audience? Join us for a class that will focus on the basic skills and techniques of public speaking, with the goal of making you a more confident, effective, and persuasive speaker. Participants will examine content, style, and delivery to present in several modes of public speaking. All skill levels welcome.

This class will run from September 30 – November 4, 2025 on Tuesday evenings, 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Registration will open on August 13 for residents (August 20 for non-residents). Participants must register for the entire class session; there are no drop in rates.

TEXTURES marks the premiere concert of Textures Dance Theatre, a bold, Black-led contemporary dance company. This debut work explores vulnerability, resilience, and self-actualization, offering a visceral, movement-driven journey through identity, societal expectations, and emotional transformation. Rooted in personal truth, TEXTURES draws from the lived experience. More than a performance, TEXTURES is an invitation to witness, to feel, and to rediscover the connective threads of our shared humanity.

Join us for a tribute celebrating the iconic King and Queen of the Blues, Koko Taylor and BB King. Koko Taylor captivated audiences with her raw, powerful vocals. At the same time, BB King is revered as one of the most influential blues musicians ever, dedicating his life to sharing the soulful essence of music. This tribute will feature soul blues legend Ms. Zeno, The Mojo Queen, and Memphis Gold. Ms. Zeno earned her legendary title through her extensive career as a performer on the world-famous Beale Street, and Memphis Gold is a well-known DC-based blues artist. Don’t miss this tribute honoring the finest songs of these blues legends.

Get ready to Go-Go with Uncle Devin! Inspired by the official music of Washington, D.C., this interactive concert uses original tunes, funky grooves, and the DC style of African call-and-response to have children experience the infectious energy of a live Go-Go. This percussion-driven show will have you dancing and singing as you learn about the history of DC. Uncle Devin will explore the influences that African and Latin rhythms had on the creation of Go-Go music. “Uncle Devin” Walker is a celebrated children’s drummer and music educator. His dynamic shows inspire children by exploring the rich history of percussion through engaging rhythms. Please note, this show is recommended for ages 3-12, however, everyone must have a ticket to enter.

Join us for a live tribute to Sly & The Family Stone, the iconic American funk band from the 1960s and 70s, renowned for their significant role in shaping the genres of funk, soul, R&B, and rock music. Their impact can still be felt in modern American funk, pop, soul, R&B, and hip-hop. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, they are celebrated as the 43rd most outstanding artist of all time by Rolling Stone. Enjoy classic hits like “I Want to Take You Higher,” “Everyday People,” and “Dance to the Music.” The Gold Soul Movement is a collective of DMV-based artists celebrating soul music’s timeless, genre-blending power, and they guarantee to have you dancing in your seat!

Join us for a live tribute to Sly & The Family Stone, the iconic American funk band from the 1960s and 70s, renowned for their significant role in shaping the genres of funk, soul, R&B, and rock music. Their impact can still be felt in modern American funk, pop, soul, R&B, and hip-hop. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, they are celebrated as the 43rd most outstanding artist of all time by Rolling Stone. Enjoy classic hits like “I Want to Take You Higher,” “Everyday People,” and “Dance to the Music.” The Gold Soul Movement is a collective of DMV-based artists celebrating soul music’s timeless, genre-blending power, and they guarantee to have you dancing in your seat!

This multi-week class focuses on the basics of acting – be that on a stage, in a filmed scene, or just having fun at home or school. Participants will learn warm-ups, games, and tools to enhance their acting skills.

This class will run from November 11 – December 16, 2025 on Tuesday evenings, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Registration will open on August 13 for residents (August 20 for non-residents). Participants must register for the entire class session; there are no drop in rates.

Written and directed by Titus Kaphar, this film follows a Black artist named Tarrell, an admired American painter on the path to success. Tarrell’s artwork excavates beauty from the anguish of his youth, keeping past wounds at bay. His path to success is derailed by an unexpected visit from his estranged father, a conscience-stricken man desperate to reconcile. In this raw and profoundly moving film, Tarrell and his father learn that forgetting might be a greater challenge than forgiving. Note: Veterans FREE at the door with military ID.
Rated R | Run time: 1h 57m

Join us for the 42nd Annual Choreographers’ Showcase, a prestigious event highlighting emerging and established talent. With a curated selection of innovative performances, this evening promises to captivate and inspire audiences with its artistry and creativity.

Artist Caroline Mackinnon explores our place in the cosmos using various materials, including ceramic sculpture and embroidery, gouache, acrylic paint, and ink. Crystal raindrops glimmer and plunge. Vibrant fogs lift, revealing undulating chasms and teeming oceans. Celestial bodies hang in a tense atmosphere. The moment is past, present, and future. The place is everywhere.

This exhibit will be on display at the Publick Playhouse from November 10, 2025 – January 4, 2026 and can be viewed during regular facility hours (M-F, 9am-5pm). Please note that exhibits cannot be viewed when a performance or event is in progress. Before viewing an exhibit, please call the Box Office at 301-277-1710 to check the performance schedule.

Returning by popular demand! Enjoy a holiday-themed concert with the soulful music of Motown. The unforgettable tunes from legendary artists such as The Temptations, The Jackson 5, and more will have you dancing in your seat and singing along with the BRENCORE ALL STARS. Gather your friends and secure your tickets early—this show sells out quickly every year!

Step back in time and groove to the soulful sounds of the ’60s and ’70s! Join us for an unforgettable evening as our live band brings the magic from powerhouse labels like Motown, Stax, and others. Feel the rhythm, embrace the nostalgia, and celebrate the season with timeless tunes to warm your heart and get you dancing. Perfect for fans of artists like Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, and Otis Redding, this concert promises to bring classic holiday hits to life. A soulful holiday celebration you won’t want to miss!

Embrace the season’s joy by joining us at our annual December family event! Get into the holiday spirit with your community, neighbors, and friends at Publick Playhouse. Children will have a chance to visit and take pictures with Santa. We’ll also offer coloring activities and a screening of the short, animated film Kung Fu Panda Holiday to entertain our youngest guests. Following that, we’ll present our feature film, Prancer: A Christmas Tale (2022). Please note, this event is recommended for ages 3-12, however, everyone must have a ticket to enter.

Learn the art of improvisation, also known as ‘Silly make ‘em ups!’ Excellent for developing social skills, collaboration skills, and communication skills. Practice accepting other people’s ideas and adding some of your own, speaking specially, paying attention to what you are doing, etc. thorough exercises and short form Improv games.

This class will run from January 6 – February 10, 2026 on Tuesday evenings, 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Registration will open in mid-November, 2025. Participants must register for the entire class session; there are no drop in rates.

American Dreaming is a poignant exploration of the complex interplay between pursuing financial freedom and the Black experience in America. This series delves into the nuanced relationship between aspiration and the systemic barriers that persist within our society, particularly emphasizing the American lottery system as a symbol of hope in the Black community.

This exhibit will be on display at the Publick Playhouse from Janury 19, 2026 – March 8, 2026 and can be viewed during regular facility hours (M-F, 9am-5pm). Please note that exhibits cannot be viewed when a performance or event is in progress. Before viewing an exhibit, please call the Box Office at 301-277-1710 to check the performance schedule.

This multi-week class builds upon foundational acting skills, focusing on in-depth exploration of techniques, character development, and performance styles; often including scene work, improvisation, and analysis of dramatic texts. Participants should have a basic understanding of acting techniques and principles that the class will focus on refining and expanding.

This class will run from February 17 – March 24, 2026 on Tuesday evenings, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Registration will open in mid-November, 2025. Participants must register for the entire class session; there are no drop in rates.

Join us for an inspiring journey through the life of Thurgood Marshall, the legendary Supreme Court Justice and Civil Rights icon. The film traces his path from Howard and Lincoln Universities to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and ultimately to the nation’s highest court. Directed by Norfolk State graduate Alexis Aggrey and co-executive produced by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Stanley Nelson, this new feature film will debut in 2025 with a special screening at Publick Playhouse. Don’t miss this compelling story of resilience and justice, brought to life by acclaimed filmmakers. Note: reservations strongly recommended due to limited seating.
This film is not yet rated; Run Time: 1 hour

A live tribute to American singer and songwriter Frankie Beverly. He was best known for his recordings with the soul and funk band Maze and was a consistent hitmaker on the R&B charts for almost 50 years. His music is known for its authenticity and emotional depth. This concert highlights the early years of Maze and the transition to Maze featuring Frankie Beverly. We Are One X-Perience performs all the hit songs that everyone knows and loves, including: “Back in Stride,” “Too Many Games,” “Can’t Get Over You,” “Before I Let Go, Running Away,” and many more. They pride themselves on giving the audience an incredibly high-energy performance each time they take the stage.

A live tribute to American singer and songwriter Frankie Beverly. He was best known for his recordings with the soul and funk band Maze and was a consistent hitmaker on the R&B charts for almost 50 years. His music is known for its authenticity and emotional depth. This concert highlights the early years of Maze and the transition to Maze featuring Frankie Beverly. We Are One X-Perience performs all the hit songs that everyone knows and loves, including: “Back in Stride,” “Too Many Games,” “Can’t Get Over You,” “Before I Let Go, Running Away,” and many more. They pride themselves on giving the audience an incredibly high-energy performance each time they take the stage.

One of the most visually striking, profoundly moving American moviemaking debuts in years, Raven Jackson’s All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt is an arresting immersion into a young woman’s inner world, filmed and edited with an extraordinary tactility and attention to the tiniest detail. This impressionistic journey skips through decades to tell the story of Mack, whose upbringing in rural Mississippi is touched by grace, dotted with heartbreak, and always carried aloft by the surrounding natural beauty. It’s a haunting and richly layered portrait, a beautiful ode to the generations of people and places that shape us.
Rated PG | Run time: 1h 32m

Regarding innovative takes on R&B, you can’t go wrong with Zo! and Tall Black Guy. The set showcases the undeniable chemistry between the musicians and features vocalist Debórah Bond. Zo, a keyboardist and producer, draws inspiration from ’70s and ’80s soul and jazz-R&B. Lead singles “Talkin’ To Myself” and “Hold My Hand” incorporate downtempo house elements, enriched with keys, warm synths, and elastic bass lines, leaving listeners wanting more.

The Chuck Brown Band honors the “Godfather of Go-Go” by continuing his legacy, touring with his classics and new material from the band. Led by Chuck’s son, Wiley, and featuring his daughter, KK, they embody the “Family Affair” vibe. Don’t miss this uplifting, non-stop performance that blends jazz, funk, and soul while engaging the audience. The Godfather may be gone, but his legacy continues as The Chuck Brown Band carries his funky groove forward without missing a B-E-A-T. Wind Us Up, Chuck!

Roxana is a collage artist fascinated by the art of collage. She uses snippets of magazine paper, fabric, photographs, pencil drawings, raw pigments, and anything that enriches the texture and color of her images. Her goal is for each of her art pieces to awaken feelings in the viewer. Consolation, love, festivity, protection, happiness, innocence, and solitude are words that she has heard others use to describe her collages.

This exhibit will be on display at the Publick Playhouse from March 23, 2026 – May 17, 2026 and can be viewed during regular facility hours (M-F, 9am-5pm). Please note that exhibits cannot be viewed when a performance or event is in progress. Before viewing an exhibit, please call the Box Office at 301-277-1710 to check the performance schedule.

Jump into spring with a little cosplay costume and some animated magic! Join us at the Publick Playhouse for our annual Family Dress-up & Movie Day. Dress as your favorite royal character and capture memorable photos with our special guest, a real-life princess. Enjoy craft activities for kids and then settle in to watch the film Snow White (2025). Please note, this event is recommended for ages 3-12, however, everyone must have a ticket to enter.

Dancers learn praise choreography from the professionals of Dallas Black Dance Theatre. Spaces are limited; advanced registration is recommended.

Dancers learn a mixture of regional dances of Africa from the professionals of Dallas Black Dance Theatre. Women/girls can wear a lappa (2 yards of African print fabric to be wrapped around the waist). Spaces are limited; advanced registration is recommended.

May is National Physical Fitness & Sports Month! Take a trip to a calming destination as the Publick Playhouse stage transforms into a peaceful retreat. Sound Meditation provides an opportunity to slow down and dive deeper into a state of relaxation to bring balance to your mental, physical and spiritual health. The use of instruments such as crystal and Himalayan singing bowls, chimes, bells, gong and voice blend together to invite the mind to a state of calm and the body to release held emotions and tension. Whether you are looking to try something new, meditate or seek a moment of peace, sound meditation can help you do it. Space is limited; advanced registration is recommended.

Hailed as one of the greatest songstresses of our time, GRAMMY Award-winning Roberta Flack remains unparalleled in her ability to tell a story through her music. Her songs bring insight into our lives, love, culture, and politics, while effortlessly traversing a broad musical landscape from pop to soul to folk to jazz. Following her passing in February 2025, this tribute concert will honor her life and legacy by showcasing some of her most cherished music, thoughtfully curated by musical director and Roberta Flack band alumnus Daryl L.A. Hunt.

Hailed as one of the greatest songstresses of our time, GRAMMY Award-winning Roberta Flack remains unparalleled in her ability to tell a story through her music. Her songs bring insight into our lives, love, culture, and politics, while effortlessly traversing a broad musical landscape from pop to soul to folk to jazz. Following her passing in February 2025, this tribute concert will honor her life and legacy by showcasing some of her most cherished music, thoughtfully curated by musical director and Roberta Flack band alumnus Daryl L.A. Hunt.

This documentary follows Yeshi Kassa, great-granddaughter of Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, as she embarks on a personal quest to discover what happened to her closest relatives during the coup of 1974. While Yeshi and her older sister were thousands of miles away in a British boarding school, her great-grandfather was deposed by a revolution, setting off a harrowing chain of events that would put her parents and siblings in grave danger. For the first time, the royal family examines the events that led to the collapse of a 3,000-year-old dynasty and reflects on how, against all odds, they survived this turbulent time in Ethiopian history.
Not Rated | Run time: 1h 30m

Dancers representing countries from across the globe get together to showcase their talent in this interactive and immersive dance experience. Enjoy a live DJ spinning the latest international dance tracks and learning a few new moves to celebrate diversity in our community.

Hailed as bright, energetic, absolutely captivating, and outrageously funny, Miss Gayle will keep an audience in stitches. She is an explosively talented individual who lights up the stage for sold-out audiences nationwide. Since the age of six, people have demanded amusement from the comedienne, actress, and entertainer who successfully lifted their spirits. Miss Gayle can put life in perspective through her down-home humor.

Rosana is an Argentinian artist that explores Surrealism. She sees the universe as a powerful, vivid place of continual transformation, and her works attempt to capture glimpses of it. Every brushstroke, color, and shape gives insight into her heart and is a window to her soul.

This exhibit will be on display at the Publick Playhouse from June 8, 2026 – July 26, 2026 and can be viewed during regular facility hours (M-F, 9am-5pm). Please note that exhibits cannot be viewed when a performance or event is in progress. Before viewing an exhibit, please call the Box Office at 301-277-1710 to check the performance schedule.