1112 11th Street NW
Suite 100
Washington DC 20001
202-328-0569

To Buy Tickets
800-838-3006

About The Essential Theatre - Historic Outline

1989 - The Essential Theatre is established in Washington, DC by S. Robert Morgan, Founder and Artistic Director along with fellow alumni and artistic colleague

1991 ­ The first full governing Board of Directors was assembled and the team focused on creating a designated home for The Essential Theatre in southeast Washington, DC

1992 - The Essential Theatre launches its first public performance through New Play Reading Series, its first effort providing service to the Washington area theatre community

1993 - The Essential Theatre launches the Children’s Program in Public Schools, wherein some 2,000 children in Washington, DC’s Ward 8 received a ten-week education in Theatre Arts

1996 - Troy L. Patterson assumes the role of Executive Producer and held the position until 2002.  Under his direction, he helped raise awareness by producing a production of, Miguel Pinero’s probing, “Short Eyes” and the company moves into northwest DC

2000 - The Essential Theatre initiates volunteer programs for senior citizens and high school students throughout the DC-metro area. The company also began offering worksite job training to persons involved in the Federal Welfare to Work Programs based in DC and Prince George’s County

2004 - The Essential Theatre launches the Women’s Works Program, intended to celebrate, investigate and cultivate the work for, by and about women

Fall 2007 - The Essential Theatre formed a major partnership with Howard University Hospital and the Alzheimer’s Association to produce the Washington, DC premiere of, “The Carer,” by Alan Hopgood

Fall 2008 - The Women’s Works Program, in conjunction with Brown Girl Speaks Productions, presents its first performance.  Titled, “Women, Words, Power!” the show featured some of Washington’s most profound women spoken word artists

Summer 2008 - The Essential Theatre publishes the inaugural issue of its newsletter Down Stage Center

Spring 2009 - Founder/Artistic Director, S. Robert Morgan is recognized by Helen Hayes Awards along with area Artistic Directors saluting Leadership in Washington, DC’s Professional theatres

2009 - During the John F. Kennedy Center’s eighth annual Page-to-Stage Festival, The Essential Theatre presents workshop productions of plays from its New Play Reading Series to standing room only audiences

Extended History