As the only professional theater organization in Tysons and the surrounding area, 1st Stage is a cultural hub for more than 15,000 people. Annually, artists from diverse backgrounds write and perform 165 dynamic modern plays about diverse social issues that spark important conversations. 1st Stage advances audience members’ connection with each other and the arts by facilitating pre- and post-show discussions and curating a rotating gallery of relevant local artwork. It also provides a space and platform for other grassroots community organizations and its paid fellowships allow emerging arts professionals to further their careers in artistic leadership, stage management, and more. By crafting family theater productions with early childhood developmental milestones in mind and offering all county high school students free season passes, 1st Stage connects people of all ages with the arts.
Headquarters: VA-Fairfax County
Where They Operate: VA-Fairfax County; Tysons
Age Groups Served: Pre-teen/teen (12-17); Young adult (18-24); Adult (25-49); Seniors (50+)
Population(s) Served: All
Awards & Recognition
Recipient of American Theater Wing's 2015 "National Theater Company" Award
Named "One of America's most impressive smaller regional companies" by the Wall Street Journal (September 2016)
Winner of several Helen Hayes Awards including 2016 award for "Best Supporting Actress"
Winner 2016 Broadway World Award for "Best Director"
Washington Post referred to 1st Stage as "the small troupe at Tysons that’s building a reputation for thoughtful work" in September, 2016
All of 1st Stage's 2015 plays were chosen as part of DC METRO THEATER ARTS' "Best Plays in Professional Theater"
OLD WICKE SONGS was chosen as one of the top ten shows of 2015 by DC THEATRE SCENE
HARVEY was chosen as one of the best plays of 2015 by BROADWAY WORLD
Press
- Lobby Hero Review--Washington Post
Fri Sep 23 2016, Washington Post
Review refers to 1st Stage as "the small troupe at Tysons that's building a reputation for thoughtful work."
- Lobby Hero Review
Thu Sep 15 2016, Wall Street Journal
Review calling 1st Stage "one of America's most impressive smaller regional companies."
- Floyd Collins Review
Thu Jun 9 2016, Wall Street Journal
Rave review for 1st Stage's production of FLOYD COLLINS
- New Direction
Mon Feb 1 2016, Virginia Living
A feature about 1st Stage
- Shared Experience
Fri Jan 1 2016, Elan Magazine
Feature article begins on page 42
Budget (FY2023)
- $3 million or higher
- The current budget for 1st Stage is: $1 million to $3 million
- $500k to $1 million
- Less than $500k
Catalogue charities range in size from $100,000 to
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