Round House Theatre facts for kids
Theatre building on East-West Hwy
|
|
| Formation | 1978 |
|---|---|
| Type | Theatre group |
| Location |
|
|
Artistic director(s)
|
Ryan Rilette |
Round House Theatre is a professional theater company in Bethesda, Maryland. It started in 1978. This theater is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit group. This means it uses its money to support its mission. They put on modern plays and classic shows. They often focus on plays by American writers.
Contents
History of Round House Theatre
How Round House Theatre Started
Round House Theatre began in 1970. It was first called "Street ’70". This was a program by Montgomery County's Recreation Department. It offered educational programs in schools. It also put on performances around the county.
In 1977, the group moved to the Round House Theatre building. This building was once the Bushey Drive Elementary School. It was located in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Becoming an Independent Theater
In 1982, the company became a nonprofit. It was officially named "Round House". It stayed part of the County’s Department of Recreation. But in 1993, it became a separate group. It was then a fully independent professional theater. In 2002, the theater moved to a new building. This new home is in downtown Bethesda. It was a big improvement for the company.
About Round House Theatre
What Round House Theatre Does
Round House Theatre puts on many different shows. These include modern classic plays. They also present brand new plays and musicals. About 55,000 people come to see their shows each year.
The theater has won many awards. They have been nominated for 231 Helen Hayes Awards. They have won 52 of these awards. The Helen Hayes Awards celebrate theater in the Washington D.C. area. Round House has also won the 50/50 Applause Award. They won this award for four years in a row. This award is from the International Center for Women Playwrights. It recognizes theaters that support women playwrights.
Educational Programs and Support
Round House Theatre also has great educational programs. More than 3,000 students take part. These programs are at their Education Center in Silver Spring. They also work with other schools in Montgomery County.
The programs include theater classes for adults and young people. They have summer programs for students from kindergarten to 12th grade. There is also a teen performance company. High school students run this group. Round House also has a program called Free Play. This program lets teenagers and college students see shows for free.
Round House is a member of important theater groups. These include the League of Resident Theatres (LORT). They are also part of the League of Washington Theatres (LOWT). As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, they get support from many places. This includes Montgomery County. They also get help from the Maryland State Arts Council. The Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County also supports them.
Past Productions at Round House Theatre
Shows from 2025-26 Season
- The Inheritance, Parts One and Two by Matthew López
- Rules for Living by Sam Holcroft
- Nothing Up My Sleeve by Aaron Posner and Dendy
- Sally & Tom by Suzan-Lori Parks
Shows from 2024-25 Season
- Sojourners by Mfoniso Udofia
- A Hannukah Carol, or GELT TRIP! The Musical by Aaron Kenny, Rob Berliner, and Harrison Bryan
- What the Constitution Means to Me by Heidi Schreck
- Bad Books by Sharon Rothstein
- King James by Rajiv Joseph
Shows from 2018-19 Season
- Small Mouth Sounds by Bess Wohl
- How I Learned to Drive by Paula Vogel
- Gem of the Ocean by August Wilson
- Oslo by J.T. Rogers
- A Doll's House, Part 2 by Lucas Hnath
Shows from 2017-2018 Season
- In The Heights by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Quiara Alegría Hudes (Co-Production with Olney Theatre Center)
- I'll Get You Back Again by Sarah Gancher
- The Book of Will by Lauren Gunderson
- Handbagged by Moira Buffini (part of the Women's Voices Theater Festival)
- "Master Harold" ...and the Boys by Athol Fugard
- The Legend of Georgia McBride by Matthew López
See also
- Helen Hayes Award
