Since 1978, Maryland’s General Assembly has recognized Olney Theatre Center as the official State Summer Theatre of Maryland.
Today, in addition to offering a full slate of plays and musicals all year long, Olney Theatre is cultivating and sharing the creativity of the community by investing in new presentations of music, dance, poetry, and more. In 2021, Olney Theatre Center launched Olney Outdoors, a summer performance series amplifying the work of multidisciplinary artists on our rustic Root Family Outdoor Stage. Once a grassy mound with a small temporary stage, Staging the Future reconstructs Olney’s outdoor performance space to meet the needs of the region’s best artists and contemporary audiences.
Staging the Future is revitalizing Olney Theatre’s status as the State Summer Theatre by:
► Creating Omi’s Pavilion, a welcoming and flexible gathering place for a range of outdoor performances and events
► Rebuilding the Root Family Outdoor Stage as a permanent performance space, outfitted with full technical capabilities
The Future of Olney Outdoors
Olney Outdoors has quickly become a beloved yearly tradition. Now, Staging the Future is providing a permanent home for our outdoor programming, complete with sophisticated lighting and sound systems. Having opened in Summer 2023, the renovated Root Family Stage at Omi's Pavilion is a worthy home for a growing roster of multidisciplinary performances.
"The new venue is perfect. The program was so wonderful. Sitting watching the sun go down in the beautiful setting was truly a gift to all who attended."
Patron
Kevin McAllister, Director of Curated Programs & Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Artist Advocate:
“Olney Theatre is looking at stretching its programming in so many new directions, so that there really is no reason for anyone to feel like the arts are not welcoming.”
Explore Our Other Spaces
Campaign Progress
Thanks to our generous community, we have met a $100,000 matching grant provided by The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation.
