Avant Bard Theatre

Avant Bard Theatre Avant Bard Theatre, in Arlington, VA, reimagines & interrogates classics and classical themes with bold, innovative approaches in intimate settings.

Now in our 36th season of bringing thought-provoking and inclusive theatre to the DC region. avantbard.org

A look at Friday’s first reading of Three Sisters at Ballston Quarter! Thank you to everyone who joined us for the secon...
10/11/2026

A look at Friday’s first reading of Three Sisters at Ballston Quarter! Thank you to everyone who joined us for the second weekend of our 11th Annual Scripts in Play Festival!

Missed it? You have one more chance TODAY, October 11, at 2 pm at Ballston Quarter!

Written by Suneeta Misra and directed by Mekala Sridhar, Three Sisters explores family, identity, and the complexities of relationships across generations and cultures.

Join us for a free staged reading and take some time to explore our special pop-up art gallery and silent auction, presented in partnership with shakti, featuring original artwork by Indian women artists! A portion of the proceeds will benefit Avant Bard.

More info and FREE reservations at https://www.avantbard.org/threesisters!

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Photo Credit: Kathleen Akerley

Meet Suneeta Misra, the playwright behind Three Sisters, the second featured play in Avant Bard’s 11th Annual Scripts in...
10/08/2026

Meet Suneeta Misra, the playwright behind Three Sisters, the second featured play in Avant Bard’s 11th Annual Scripts in Play Festival! Inspired by Chekhov’s classic of the same name and Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, this sharp satire explores family, tradition, and the expectations placed on women in 1970s India.

Swipe through to read our interview with Suneeta and get a glimpse into the inspiration and creative process behind her play!

Join us this weekend for two FREE staged readings of Three Sisters, directed by Mekala Sridhar:

Friday, Oct. 9 at 7:30 pm – Ballston Quarter, Level 2

Sunday, Oct. 11 at 2:00 pm – Ballston Quarter, Level 2

Alongside the readings, we're excited to partner with shakti, a social venture supporting women artists in emerging markets, to present a special pop-up gallery and silent art auction featuring original works by Indian women artists. A portion of the auction proceeds will benefit Avant Bard and support our continued artistic programming!

Tickets are FREE, but reservations are encouraged! Go to https://www.avantbard.org/threesisters to reserve tickets and to learn more!

And stay tuned to meet the final playwright featured in this year’s festival!

This weekend, our staged readings of Three Sisters by Suneeta Misra will feature a pop-up gallery and silent auction of ...
10/06/2026

This weekend, our staged readings of Three Sisters by Suneeta Misra will feature a pop-up gallery and silent auction of artwork by Indian artists, generously provided by collector Mohini Malhotra.

The artwork will form the backdrop for the readings, and you can bid on a piece to make it part of your own collection! For each work sold, the portion of the winning bid above Mohini’s original purchase price will directly support Avant Bard’s Scripts in Play festival.

Join us for Three Sisters, directed by Mekala Sridhar:
Friday, October 9 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, October 11 at 2:00 pm
Ballston Quarter, Level 2 (4238 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22203)

Admission to the staged readings is FREE. Visit https://www.avantbard.org/threesisters for more information!

Pictured: Works by Vartika Singh and Gargi Parmar. The auction will feature other pieces by these same artists.

A look at Friday’s first reading of Every Single Ophelia at Ballston Quarter! Thank you to everyone who joined us to kic...
10/04/2026

A look at Friday’s first reading of Every Single Ophelia at Ballston Quarter! Thank you to everyone who joined us to kick off our 11th Annual Scripts in Play Festival!

Missed it? You have one more chance TODAY, October 4, at 2 pm at Mason Exhibitions Arlington!

Written by Ryan Stevens, directed by Kathleen Akerley, and starring Alice Aramendia, Every Single Ophelia follows Shakespeare’s heroine as she discovers the countless ways her story has been told and wrestles with what it means to have a story of her own.

Join us for a free staged reading and spend this afternoon getting to know Ophelia beyond Hamlet. Go to https://www.avantbard.org/everysingleophelia for more info!
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1st Photo Credit: Kathleen Akerley
2-6th Photo Credit: George Laumann

Rainy day? Perfect for a staged reading! Catch Every Single Ophelia by Ryan Stevens at Mason Exhibitions! 2pm today! Pho...
10/04/2026

Rainy day? Perfect for a staged reading! Catch Every Single Ophelia by Ryan Stevens at Mason Exhibitions! 2pm today! Photo credit: Kathleen Akerley

Meet Ryan Stevens, the playwright behind Every Single Ophelia, which kicks off our 11th Annual Scripts in Play Festival!...
09/29/2026

Meet Ryan Stevens, the playwright behind Every Single Ophelia, which kicks off our 11th Annual Scripts in Play Festival! Swipe through to read the interview and get a glimpse into how Ryan's new play came to life.

Join us this weekend for two staged readings of Every Single Ophelia, directed by Kathleen Akerley:

Friday, Oct. 2 at 7:30 pm – Ballston Quarter, Level 2

Sunday, Oct. 4 at 2:00 pm – Mason Exhibitions Arlington

Tickets are FREE, but reservations are encouraged! Go to https://www.avantbard.org/scripts-in-play to reserve tickets!

And stay tuned to hear from the other two playwrights featured in this year’s festival!

Announcing Avant Bard Theatre’s 11th Annual Scripts in Play Festival!Join us for FREE staged readings of bold new works ...
09/25/2026

Announcing Avant Bard Theatre’s 11th Annual Scripts in Play Festival!

Join us for FREE staged readings of bold new works that integrate classical themes, texts, and ideas. Swipe to learn more about this year’s selections!

Every Single Ophelia by Ryan Stevens, directed by Kathleen Akerley
Oct. 2 – 7:30 pm at Ballston Quarter – Level 2
Oct. 4 – 2:00 pm at Mason Exhibitions Arlington

Three Sisters by Suneeta Misra, directed by Mekala Sridhar
Oct. 9 – 7:30 pm at Ballston Quarter – Level 2
Oct. 11 – 2:00 pm at Ballston Quarter – Level 2

Gracie vs. The People by Shoshannah Boray, directed by Tara Giordano
Oct. 16 – 7:30 pm at MoCA Arlington
Oct. 18* – 2:00 pm at Mason Exhibitions Arlington

*The October 18 reading will also be presented as part of Avant Bard’s monthly Resistance Readings series!

Through collaborative rehearsals and audience conversations, Scripts in Play gives playwrights the opportunity to hear their work aloud, explore it with directors and actors, and continue shaping their scripts.

Come be part of the process! Go to https://www.avantbard.org/scripts-in-play to reserve FREE tickets! Link in bio!

Thank you to everyone who joined us last Sunday at the Solace Brewing Company in Ballston for a reading of Ronald Reagan...
09/23/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us last Sunday at the Solace Brewing Company in Ballston for a reading of Ronald Reagan and the Ontological Paradox of Intent: a new...wave...musical!

We are so grateful to playwright and music director Shawn Northrip, director Jenny McConnell Frederick, and our incredible cast for bringing this musical to life, and to everyone who spent the evening with us!

Thank you for continuing to support Avant Bard’s Resistance Readings Project and the artists who make these gatherings possible.

Stay tuned for our next Resistance Reading, presented in conjunction with our 11th Annual Scripts in Play Festival! Go to https://www.avantbard.org/resistance-readings to learn more!

UPDATE: FULLY CAST!!Avant Bard Theatre is casting DMV-area Indian and South Asian actors for a staged reading of THREE S...
09/07/2026

UPDATE: FULLY CAST!!

Avant Bard Theatre is casting DMV-area Indian and South Asian actors for a staged reading of THREE SISTERS by Suneeta Misra, directed by Mekala Sridhar, as part of our annual Scripts in Play Festival.

ABOUT THE PLAY: Inspired by Chekhov’s Three Sisters and Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, the play follows a mother and her three daughters living in a conservative small town in 1970s India.

ACTORS NEEDED: We are seeking approximately 10–12 non-Equity Indian and South Asian performers, both women and men, ranging in age from their 20s to 60s. A stipend will be provided.

ABOUT THE READINGS:

WHEN? Friday, October 9 at 7:30 PM & Sunday, October 11 at 2:00 PM

WHERE? Ballston Quarter | Arlington, VA

Actors will also be expected to attend at least two rehearsals before the first reading, likely scheduled for two of the following dates: October 6, 7, or 8. Exact dates will be determined based on cast availability.

Interested? Email Josie Palmarini, Avant Bard’s Managing Associate, at [email protected] with your headshot and resume, or, if you don’t have those materials, a brief description of your acting experience!

Know an actor who might be a great fit? Please share this post!

And come support the reading! Reserve FREE tickets at avantbard.org!

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Arlington, VA
22206

Telephone

+17034184808

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