Round House Theatre


Round House Theatre is an American professional theater company located in Bethesda, Maryland. Founded in 1978, it operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The theater produces contemporary plays and classic works, with a focus on American playwrights.

History

Round House began in 1970 as “Street ’70”, a program by the Montgomery County Department of Recreation that provided educational outreach in the schools and performances throughout the county. In 1977, the company moved to the Round House Theatre, located in the former Bushey Drive Elementary School in Silver Spring, MD. In 2002 the theater moved to a brand new facility in downtown Bethesda, which was a significant upgrade.
In 1982, the company was incorporated as a nonprofit under the name "Round House". The company remained a part of the County’s Department of Recreation until 1993, when it became a separate and independent professional theater group.

About

Round House presents a combination of modern classics, new plays, and musicals for approximately 55,000 guests each year. Round House has been nominated for 231 Helen Hayes Awards and has won 52. Round House has also been honored for four consecutive years with the 50/50 Applause Award from the International Center for Women Playwrights.
Round House’s educational programs serve more than 3,000 students at its Education Center in Silver Spring and other schools in Montgomery County. These programs include theatre classes for adults and youth, summer programs for grades K–12, and a teen performance company run by high school students. Round House also organizes Free Play, a program that allows teenagers and college students to attend theatre shows for free.
Round House is a member of the League of Resident Theatres and the League of Washington Theatres. The theatre is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, with major support from Montgomery County, the, and the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County.

Productions

2025-26 season

2024-25 season

Sojourners by Mfoniso UdofiaA Hannukah Carol, or GELT TRIP! The Musical by Aaron Kenny, Rob Berliner, and Harrison BryanWhat the Constitution Means to Me by Heidi SchreckBad Books by Sharon Rothstein

2018-19 season

Small Mouth Sounds by Bess WohlHow I Learned to Drive by Paula VogelGem of the Ocean by August WilsonOslo by J.T. RogersA Doll's House, Part 2 by Lucas Hnath

2017-2018 season

In The Heights by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Quiara Alegría Hudes, Co-Production with Olney Theatre CenterI'll Get You Back Again by Sarah GancherThe Book of Will by Lauren GundersonHandbagged by Moira Buffini, part of the Women's Voices Theater Festival"Master Harold"...and the Boys by Athol FugardThe Legend of Georgia McBride by Matthew López

2016-2017 season

Angels in America Part I: Millennium Approaches by Tony Kushner, Co-Production with Olney Theatre CenterAngels in America Part II: Perestroika by Tony Kushner, Co-Production with Olney Theatre CenterMiss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley by Lauren Gunderson and Margot MelconCaroline, or Change by Tony Kushner and Jeanine TesoriOr, by Liz Duffy AdamsHow I Learned What I Learned by August Wilson, co-conceived by Todd Kreidler

2015-2016 season

Ironbound by Martyna Majok, part of the Women's Voices Theater FestivalThe Night Alive by Conor McPhersonStage Kiss by Sarah RuhlFather Comes Home from the Wars by Suzan-Lori ParksCat on a Hot Tin Roof by Tennessee WilliamsThe Who & The What by Ayad Akhtar

2014-2015 season

Fool for Love by Sam ShepardFetch Clay, Make Man by Will PowerThe Nutcracker by Tommy Rapley, Jake Minton, Phillip Klapperich, and Kevin O’DonnellRapture, Blister, Burn by Gina GionfriddoUncle Vanya by Anton Chekhov, new version by Annie BakerNSFW by Lucy Kirkwood