About Us

Everyone knows about the famous stages of DC, named after presidents and poets, but few know that there are more than 80 professional theaters creating in every corner of our region.

To help elevate the profile of the theatres and shows you don’t hear about, a group of DMV producers, directors, and advocates have come together to create the IS Collective.

The IS Collective exists to answer the question:
What IS Washington small theatre?

It IS intimate.
It IS unexpected.
It IS resourceful.
It IS local.
It IS your neighbors.
It IS accessible.
It IS innovative.
It IS all this an more!

Get to know your local theatres and visit one of the IS Collective member companies today!

WHO WE ARE

Nu Sass Productions

Supporting Marginalized Genders In The Arts

Pinky Swear Productions

Plays With Engaging, Believable, Women's Roles

The Puppet Company

Puppetry for children & adults

Rorschach Theatre

Pushing Beyond The Limits Of Ordinary

Theater Alliance

Theatre That Confronts What Separates And Unites Us

Flying V

Intersectional, Niche-Based Art (And Wrestling)

Spooky Action Theater

Movement Reaching Beyond Realism

Solas Nua

Contemporary Irish Arts In The U.S.

Faction of Fools

DC's Commedia dell'Arte Theatre Company

ExPats Theatre

Challenging Contemporary International Theatre

The Essential Theatre

Professional African-American Theatre Company

Ally Theatre Company

Confronting Systemic Oppression In America

Transformation Theatre

Plays That Tell Stories Of The Underrepresented

Pipeline Playwrights

Creating opportunities for women’s stories

Avant Bard Theatre

Providing Performances And Education For Young People

Theatre Prometheus

Feminist, queer, and diverse narratives

Best Medicine

New Comedies In The Gaithersburg Area

Fickle Theatre Company

Theatre Company For Emerging Artists

Happenstance Theatre

DC’s Leading Peddlers Of Whimsy

Monumental Theatre Co.

New Works And New Views On Established Works

Next Stop Theatre Co.

Inspire, Educate, Entertain, And Create

InterAct Story Theatre

Touring Theatre For Young Audiences

Too Much Damn Theater

Throwing Normal Away To Highlight Theatre’s Importance

Landless Theatre Co.

New And Diverse Works For New And Diverse Audiences

VOCA

Space For BIPOC Deaf & Hard Of Hearing Artists

Taffety Punk

Making Theatre Exciting, Meaningful And Affordable

Workhouse Arts Center

A Vibrant Arts Center That Offers Engaging Opportunities

Toby’s Dinner Theater

Award Winning Musicals With Dinner Too

Washington Stage Guild

Smart Theatre For Smart People

We Happy Few

Rediscover And Reimagine Classic Stories

Creative Cauldron

Affordable, Enriching, and Diverse Experiences in Northern Virginia

Arts On The Horizon

Providing Performances And Education For Young People

Prologue Theatre

Theatre That Serves As A Starting Point To Tough Conversations

The In Series

Opera That Speaks. Theatre That Sings.

Tonic Theater Company

Increasing Knowledge And Understanding Through Theatre