Olney Theatre Returns To Live Performances With Summer Series

GERMANTOWN, MD — After a year of pandemic-related shutdowns and furloughs, Olney Theatre Center is making a return to live performances.

The award-winning regional theatre on Thursday announced it will welcome back audiences beginning in July for its "Olney Outdoors" summer series. Ten weeks of jazz concerts, Shakespeare plays, and other dazzling performances will take place on the Root Family Stage and lead up to a community festival over Labor Day weekend.

The series will kick off July 2 with a two-weekend run of William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream," featuring the National Players' first majority BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) ensemble.

"'Olney Outdoors' will be an open invitation for people of different races, cultures, classes, statuses, genders, religions, and social acceptance to share a common space where our new programs will celebrate bringing together both our likenesses and differences in a positive light," said Kevin McAllister, the theatre's director of curated programs and first BIPOC artist advocate. "From jazz, cabarets, 'Drag Balls,' and songs of worship to spoken word, musical theatre, open mics, theatre for young audiences, and dance, there is something for everyone and we welcome the chance to sit under the stars and find joy in our commonalities together."

Olney Theatre Center is located at 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Rd. and boasts 14 acres of land — which artistic director Jason Loewith said will allow for proper social distancing.

Loewith, who took the helm in February 2013, said coronavirus safety will take center stage at "Olney Outdoors" this summer. Equity and inclusion among artists and audiences attending performances also will be a top priority of the theater.

"In this long-awaited return to live performance two principles guided our strategy: That we put the safety of our audience, artists and staff, before all other considerations; and that we begin as we mean to continue, by prioritizing equity, diversity, inclusion, and access in everything that we do," he said. "That's why Kevin McAllister is curating 'Olney Outdoors,' and why we hope to create a home at (Olney Theatre Center) for artists and audiences that haven't seen themselves here before."

A schedule of performances can be found below. Dates and program titles are subject to change.

July 2 - July 11, 2021

A Midsummer Night's Dream
Price: Free
Description: Get lost in the forest with OTC's National Players as they kick off their 72nd season with the quintessential summer Shakespeare rom-com.

July 17 - July 18, 2021

Just Arts: A Celebration Of Arts And Activism
Price: Free
Description: A weekend festival to expand on our online series of performances saluting the BIPOC artists who combine their artistry and a quest for a more just society.

July 21 - Aug. 25, 2021

Wednesday Night Grab Bag: Sip-And-Slam, Dance Around the World, and More
Price: Free
Description: Enjoy a drink as verbal virtuosos rock the mic, dancers bring different corners of the world to Olney, and more every Wednesday night.

July 23 - Aug. 27, 2021

The Andrew A. Isen Cabaret Series
Price: Not free
Description: Expect some DC-favorites sharing the Root Family Stage in unexpected combinations.

July 24 - Aug. 28, 2021

Jazz Series
Price: Not free
Description: Associate produced by acclaimed musician and Signature Theatre regular Mark G. Meadows ("Jelly's Last Jam"), jazz gets a new home on the Root Family Stage on Saturday nights.

July 25 - Aug. 9, 2021

Sing Praise!
Price: N/A
Description: Faith-inspired performances from top local and national groups sanctify Sunday afternoons.

Weekend mornings in July/August

Theatre For Young Audiences
Price: Not free
Description: Child-friendly performances for elementary-aged audiences and younger.

Founded as a summer playhouse in 1938, Olney Theatre Center now produces plays and musicals year-round, reimagines familiar titles, and mentors the next generation of theatremakers.

Some of the biggest names in theatre and film have appeared on its stages, including Carol Channing, Olivia de Havilland, Sir Ian McKellen, and Helen Hayes.

But in 2020, things took a turn for the worst for the performing arts and entertainment industries.

As COVID-19 reached all corners of the world, Hollywood-centric institutions and community theatres suffered huge losses in ticket sales and were forced to shutter for good.

Back in September, Olney Theatre Center had to furlough 50 percent of its full-time staff — a decision managing director Debbie Ellinghaus said was "painful" to make.