Theater J

Theater J is a nationally-renowned, professional theater that celebrates, explores, and struggles with the complexities and nuances of both the Jewish experience and the universal human condition. Our work illuminates and examines: ethical questions of our time, inter-cultural experiences that parallel our own, and the changing landscape of Jewish identities. As the nation’s largest and most prominent Jewish theater, we aim to preserve and expand a rich Jewish theatrical tradition and to create community and commonality through theater-going experiences.

Founded in 1990 as a program of the Edlavitch DC Jewish Community Center (EDCJCC), Theater J has become “the nation’s most prominent Jewish theater” (American Theatre Magazine). Theater J began with a series of staged readings and in 1991 produced its first plays, under the leadership of founding Artist Director Martin Blank. Theater J’s initial home was a 40-seat black box theater at 1836 Jefferson Place, NW, the original home of the EDCJCC. In 1993, Artistic Director Randye Hoeflich took the helm, producing the first full season and preparing the theater to move to a larger, permanent home.

In 1997, the EDCJCC moved into its current space, the Irwin P. Edlavitch Building, at 1529 Sixteenth Street, NW, which housed a newly built 238-seat proscenium theater, named for Aaron and Cecile Goldman. Ari Roth was brought on as Artistic Director after the move, growing the theater during his eighteen-year tenure from an annual budget of under $100,000 to a budget of well over a million and a half dollars. During that time, Theater J earned an international reputation as the nation’s premier Jewish theater. In 2005, The New York Times recognized the quality of Theater J’s new play development programs, hailing it as “the premiere theater for premieres.” Theater J also became known for producing work from and about Israel and the Middle East, with the signature Voices from a Changing Middle East Festival.

Artistic Director Adam Immerwahr joined the theater in 2015. Under his leadership, Theater J strives to present a wide variety of recognizable, under-explored, and brand new works from the Jewish theatrical cannon, as well as non-Jewish works that investigate diverse stories about immigrants, language, assimilation, genocide, religion, otherness and other topics that resonate with a diverse set of communities. The 2016-2017 season was the first season under Immerwahr’s programming. 2017 is the inaugural year of the Yiddish Theater Lab, which aims to revitalize the great works of Yiddish theater and make them relevant to modern audiences.

Theater J draws audiences from all eight wards of the District, as well as Maryland and Virginia, and reflects the diverse residents of the metropolitan DC region including both Jewish and non-Jewish professionals, African-Americans, Arab-Americans, Asians, Hispanics, the LGBTQ community, students, and senior citizens. Theater J is committed to creating partnerships that deepen our connections to our community. Through our Passports Education and Access Program , we provide over 400 free tickets to senior citizens, clients of homeless and women’s shelters, and students throughout DC every season, reaching populations that are critically underserved by the arts.

Theater J has been honored with the DC Mayor’s Arts Award for Excellence in an Artistic Discipline, over 70 Helen Hayes nominations and nine Helen Hayes Awards. Notable productions include: Dan O’Brien’s The Body of an American, winner of the 2014 Horton Foote Prize for Outstanding New American Play; the world-premiere of Caleen Sinnette Jennings’ Queens Girl in the World; and Tony Kushner’s The Intelligent Homosexual’s Guide to Capitalism and Socialism with a Key to the Scriptures.

Announcing Theater J’s 30th Anniversary 2020/21 Season
For almost three decades, audiences have turned to Theater J for excellent performances, striking designs, and productions that excite, challenge, and inspire our hearts and our minds. We are proud to be the nation’s most prominent Jewish theater, and our 20/21 season celebrates and builds upon this history, bolstered by and created for our loyal patrons.

Our 30th anniversary season is ambitious, timely, and affecting. From Arthur Miller’s rarely-seen masterpiece Incident at Vichy, to the powerful and touching story Tuesdays with Morrie based on the best-selling memoir, to Anna Deavere Smith’s groundbreaking documentary play Fires in the Mirror about the Crown Heights riots, join us for six journeys—plus a special add-on—exploring human experiences across continents and centuries. All from the comfort of your reserved seat in our beautiful theater.

Theater J’s 2022–2023 Season
Join us for a season of joy and hope, triumph and resilience.

Our plays this season include award-winning dramas, uproarious comedies, and deep looks into the human condition and the Jewish experience.

Don’t miss out on the last 3 plays of the season!

Questions? Call us at 202-777-3210.

See you at the theater!

View 2022/2023 Season page

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