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A Day of Creativity, Community & Celebration

  • 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm: Open House
  • 8:00 pm - Free Performance of "ExDragvaganza"

Olney Theatre’s SummerFest is a vibrant seasonal celebration that brings together our local community to enjoy a day full of outdoor performances, delicious food, live music, and a wide array of family-friendly activities. It’s a joyful, inclusive gathering designed to spark creativity, foster connection, and strengthen the bonds that make our community thrive.

This year’s SummerFest features interactive, community-led dance shows on the Root Family Stage at Omi's Pavilion, where local artists and audiences will come together in movement and celebration. Inside the Cafritz Lobby, don’t miss the powerful Community Chorus pop-up performances featuring four different choruses. These groups will unite for a special collaborative performance in Omi's Pavilion at 5:30 PM, creating an unforgettable musical moment that captures the spirit of togetherness.

Throughout the day, the Actors Hall (on the second floor of the Roberts Mainstage) will be transformed into a creative hub, offering theater-based workshops and classes for all ages and experience levels. Whether you're an aspiring performer or simply curious about the stage, there’s something for everyone to explore and enjoy.

At the heart of the day is “Behind the Curtain,” a special presentation led by Artistic Director Jason Loewith alongside our artistic and production teams. This behind-the-scenes experience offers a rare look into how a show evolves from a simple idea to a full-scale production. Immediately following the presentation, guests are invited to take part in a guided campus tour to learn more about the spaces and stories that make Olney Theatre Center so special.

Our campus will be buzzing with local vendors, community organizations, and food trucks, offering tasty treats and opportunities to connect with local partners and artists.

We’ll close out the celebration in spectacular fashion with "ExDragvaganza"—a fabulous, high-energy evening of charisma, song, and dance featuring our beloved Drag Queens. It’s the perfect finale to a day filled with artistry, inclusion, and joy.

Join us for SummerFest, and experience the magic of community and creativity in full bloom!
 

Highlights

🎶 Interactive dance shows on the Root Family Stage

🎤 Community Chorus pop-ups in the Cafritz Lobby & Pavilion (5:30 PM)

🎭 Theater workshops & classes in the Actors Hall (Sign up for free)

🎬 “Behind the Curtains” with Artistic Director Jason Loewith + campus tour (5:00 pm)

🍔 Food trucks, vendors, & local organizations

💃 “ExDragvaganza” – A fabulous evening of song, dance & drag!

All Day Events

Omi's Pavilion

Artist & Vendor Marketplace
From crafters of hand-made cards, to painters, to sowers of seed, local vendors are gathering at Olney Theatre to sell their wares! Come out and support local!

Outdoor Games
Jenga, sidewalk chalk, cornhole, lawn games, and more will be set out for all to enjoy.

Roberts Mainstage

Merch & Memberships Sale
Want to show your love of Olney Theatre Center? Grab discounted t-shirts and other merchandise from our 22-23 season! Or, become a member and receive access to our full season as well as community events.

 

William H. Graham, Sr. Actors' Hall

Kids Craft Time- Make Your Own Hat with Jules and Julie
1:00 pm - 1:45 pm

Get out your feathers, your patent leathers, your beads and buckles and bows to create your very own paper hat. Then we’ll strut our new headpieces in a fabulous fashion show to the song "Put On Your Sunday Clothes" from our upcoming production of Hello, Dolly! under the guidance of members of our costume shop Julie Cray Leong and Julianna “Jules” Fielding. Recommended for ages 4-8.

Broadway Bound Dance Class for Youth with Ariel
2:00 pm - 2:50 pm

Join performer/choreographer Ariel Kraje (previous Olney Theatre Center performance credits include Disney’s Frozen and the World Premiere of Senior Class) as she teaches iconic musical theatre dance moves like jazz squares, pivot turns, and more in this fun class to high-energy bops. Perfect for those with Broadway dreams ages 10-14. 

Puppetry Workshop With Jerid
3:00 - 3:50 pm

Get out your hand puppets! Jerid Fox, our Director of Production, will teach some puppetry basics in this workshop. Before joining Olney Theatre Center, Jerid was a Henson & Disney trained puppeteer! He performed in Disney Playhouse Live, puppeteering characters from Bear in the Big Blue House such as Treelo, Pip & Pop, Tutter and more. He has created and built puppets for many shows like Little Shop Of Horrors, Charlotte's Web, and Avenue Q, and has trained many casts on the fundamentals of puppeteering in workshops and one on one consultations. Stop by and try your hand at a whole new art! Recommended for all ages.

“Behind the Curtain”
4:00 - 5:00 pm
 

A special presentation led by Artistic Director Jason Loewith alongside our artistic and production teams. This behind-the-scenes experience offers a rare look into how a show evolves from a simple idea to a full-scale production. Immediately following the presentation, guests are invited to take part in a guided campus tour to learn more about the spaces and stories that make Olney Theatre Center so special.

Campus Tour 
5:00 pm

 

Root Family Stage at Omi's Pavilion

CenterStage Arts Alliance
1:30 pm

CenterStage Academy for The Arts is Co- Founded by Shawn and Sherion Cosby as a training facility for youth and adults who desire to work professionally in the entertainment industry. The Choreographer/Artistic Director is Shawn M. Cosby, SAG/AFTRA/Dancer/Actress. The Drama Director is 42-year veteran Educator and Master Teacher Sherion Cosby, and the Vocal Director is Mrs. Juliet Lowery. CSAA is the home to the acclaimed Showbiz Next Generation and Showbiz Kids companies who are a select group of dancers, actors, and singers from the metropolitan DC area. The company’s repertoire consists of Vocal Performance, Contemporary, Modern, Ballet, Hip Hop, Acting for TV/Film, and Musical Theatre. 

Meki’s Tamure Polynesian Arts Group (MTPAG)
2:00 pm

Meki’s Tamure Polynesian Arts Group (MTPAG) is an award-winning Maryland based 501c3 charitable nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance the music, dance & traditions of Polynesian islands such as Fiji, Hawaii, New Zealand, Samoa, Tahiti & Tonga. Our founders (the late) Meki & JoAnn started MTPAG in 1969 & in January 2022 were awarded MSAC’s Heritage Award for lifetime achievement in the traditional arts. We perform in Maryland & surrounding states.

Lila Cooper - Joyful Summer Songs
3:00 pm

“Joyful Summer Songs” is a Cabaret featuring talented, local, up-and-coming Artists, performing a collection of songs with themes of Hope, Love, Peace, and Freedom. This marks the 2nd Cabaret of a Social Justice Cabaret Series produced by  Lila Cooper. Check out our program for more info!

Natyabhoomi 
4:00 pm

Students from Natyabhoomi School Dance will lead us through Bollywood dance routine 

Pop Up Chorus Performance
5:30 pm

Cafritz Lobby

Stories with Weldon Brown
1:00 pm

With over 30 years at Olney Theatre, Weldon Brown—our beloved Director of Sales and unofficial historian—has seen it all (and just might know where the bodies are buried!). From backstage antics to unforgettable opening nights, Weldon’s storytelling is as captivating as it is hilarious. Join us for this special Summerfest session as Weldon shares his favorite memories, little-known facts, and behind-the-scenes moments from his decades at Olney Theatre.

You won’t want to miss these tales from the heart of the theater—told by someone who’s truly been there for it all.

Song Rise DC
2:00 pm

SongRiseDC is Washington DC's very own women’s social justice a cappella group made up of 20 passionate and dynamic women working toward positive change in the community! Their music inspires action through song, amplifying the fight for social change on a wide range of issues from civil rights to worker rights, ending LGBTQ+ discrimination and racism, highlighting environmental justice, and supporting women’s rights just to name a few. 

Voices of Hope
2:30 pm

Voices of Hope is a group of five talented teenage girls who share a love for music and a passion for making a difference. Through their songs, they aim to inspire hope and positivity, using their voices to connect with people and spread uplifting messages. Their goal is to show that music can bring people together and create change in the world.

Chai-Dynamics
3:00 pm

Chai-Dynamics is a fast-rising Jewish a cappella group from Montgomery County Maryland. We bring the energetic and popular style of collegiate singing to our community. All songs are performed without any instrumental accompaniment, using multi-part harmonies and intricate arrangements to create a rich sound using only the human voice.

Harmony Express
3:30 pm

Harmony Express is a barbershop style mixed a cappella chorus. We are a non-profit membership organization of singers, who meet regularly to practice, perform, socialize, and have fun. We sing songs in the barbershop style at many local community events, at annual shows, and at annual competitions.

Vendors

The Lemonade Lab - flavored lemonade

Wyldflower Beyond - Wearable Affirmations - T-Shirts/Totes/Crocheted Items, etc.

Parti Mom Creations - Face Painter

Moonshine Chocolates

Moms Demand Action

State Farm

Red Carpet Remodeling

Go Ape

Olney Civic Fund

Kitchen Saver

Julie/Jules

Olive Oil and Vinegar Fusions - Dion Symonette

Olney Theatre Merchandise shop

Spark Arts

Sandy Springs Gardens

Henna Artists

Sandy Spring Soccer Club

Mid-County Regional Services Office

Food/Beverages Trucks

Crepe Shoppe 

Wi Jammin

Myries Island Kitchen

Kona Ice

Ben and Jerry's

Lone Oak Brewing Co

Greene Turtle

SummerFest 2025

Sunday July 27th 2025 at 1:00pm

Box Office: 301.924.3400

Open Wednesday - Sunday: 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM

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