Theater Alliance Brings Back Hothouse New Works Block Party

Theater Alliance is returning with its Hothouse New Works Block Party, transforming two February weekends into a vibrant celebration of new theatrical voices and experimental performance. The festival runs February 20-22 and February 27-March 1, offering DC audiences a unique opportunity to experience emerging work in an atmosphere that blends creative experimentation with neighborhood gathering.

This year's Hothouse carries special significance as one of the final events in Theater Alliance's current pop-up space before the company begins renovations on its permanent theater home.

A Festival Reimagined

"This new works festival is a celebration of process, possibility, and community—where new plays aren't just presented, but truly shared to enhance a writer's journey," said Aria Velz, Associate Artistic Director of Theater Alliance and lead producer of the festival. "By expanding to two weekends, we're creating more space for artists to experiment while engaging in programming rooted in the nation's capital for audiences to discover new voices, and for joy, connection, and conversation to take center stage."
The expanded two-weekend format allows Theater Alliance to showcase both traditional new play development and more experimental, interdisciplinary performance work.

Weekend One: Beyond Traditional Theater

The first weekend emphasizes partnership-driven programming that pushes theatrical boundaries. Audiences can expect comedy showcases, concerts, immersive experiences, and devised work that welcomes diverse audiences into unconventional performance spaces.

Highlights include Meet Cute DC, the sold-out, award-winning live blind-date comedy show by Erick Acuña, where two real singles meet on stage while DC's funniest comedians transform their conversation into improvised comedy. The critically acclaimed Red Bastard brings an absurd "school of life" performance where "something interesting must happen every 10 seconds," creating an unpredictable playground of rewards and challenges for audiences brave enough to participate.

Artist-led workshops round out the weekend's offerings. Anyone There? and Embodying the Elements provide immersive experiences exploring connection and creativity through devised theater and embodied practice, led by Jessica Bauman (in collaboration with the Georgetown Laboratory for Global Performance and Politics) and Sisi Reid, Founder of Soul Shine Theater Garden.

Weekend Two: Playwright-Centered Development

The second weekend focuses on Theater Alliance's core mission of supporting playwrights through dedicated development processes. This portion of the festival showcases new plays by DMV writers and works-in-progress by the company's season playwrights through readings, workshops, and development presentations.

Featured works include A Tender Life by Dani Stoller, a psychological portrait examining how one person can be absorbed into another's life until that connection becomes simultaneously comforting and destructive. The Pit by Lenox Kamara follows drag artist JAMES as he welcomes humans into his underground speakeasy for an exploration of adolescence, asking whether two millennials can confront their pasts to embrace their futures.

Soul Records by York Walker returns for its third development phase at Theater Alliance. Set in 1970s Chicago, this music-soaked comedic farce follows two lifelong friends pursuing soul-music stardom amid eccentric producers and hustlers.

Additional programming includes excerpts from season playwrights a.k. payne and Mary Glen Frederick, senior capstone performances by Howard University students, and a culmination showcase featuring DMV playwrights.

The Block Party Atmosphere

True to its name, the entire festival space is designed to evoke an actual neighborhood block party. Audiences can move freely between performances, gathering spaces, and social activations throughout the venue.

KBird Bar operates as a festival-long pop-up, offering curated cocktails and bites. The Blacklight Jungle Lounge, created by DC-based artist Adrian Loving of Inner Temples, transforms part of the building into a multimedia experience combining video art, soundscapes, and live music performance.

A comedy night featuring DC's top comedians, hosted by local stand-up comedian Xavier Morgan, an Active Mic with Voices Unbarred and Visionaries Of Creative Arts (VOCA), and a closing concert by Marco Pavé complete the festival's diverse programming.

Tickets are available now for individual events or discounted package options. The full festival schedule and additional information can be found at hothouse.theateralliance.org.