DC is home to some of the best theatres and symphonies in the country. With some advanced planning and information available, you can enjoy these incredible experiences at a low or no cost. Check out some of the free or discounted exhibits and shows available to university students provided by the AU Music Library!

Note that this list is not comprehensive; there are more opportunities for live art in DC than we can list here!

Theatre

American University Theatre Department

We have some of the best theatre in the city right in our own backyard! Come and support the American University Department of Performing Arts and Theatre/Musical Theatre programs. Each semester the department puts up multiple high quality theatre performances for the community. Stay tuned by checking the university ticket office homepage, where you can reserve a free student ticket for their shows at the Katzen Arts Center (4400 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016) or the Greenberg Theatre (4200 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016). Upcoming shows include Urinetown, The Musical (2/22/24-2/24/24), The Herstory of Henri IV pt. 1 (2/28/24-3/2/24), and Spring Awakening (4/4/24-4/6/24).

The Kennedy Center

The famous Kennedy Center is home to multiple performances every year. Most theatrical performances are touring shows or touring comedians. They have a very special program called MyTix, aimed at making the theatre experience more accessible for students and those under 30. This program includes MyTix Student Rush with $10-$20 tickets and the young professionals' discount for those 18-30, which includes $15-$39 tickets. You can sign up for a MyTix account to stay updated on future Kennedy Center shows and MyTix offers at https://www.kennedy-center.org/mytix/ Some upcoming theatre performances at the Kennedy Center include Shear Madness (10/3/23-10/9/22), Company (3/12/24-3/31/24), and The Kite Runner (6/25/24-6/30/24).

Arena Stage

Based in Southwest DC at 1101 6th St SW, Washington, DC 20024, Arena Stage is a nonprofit regional theater that promotes the U.S. regional theatre movement. Fun fact: it was one of the first American theaters to convert to not-for-profit status. With their proscenium stage setup, the audience surrounds the stage and enjoys a more intimate experience of the action on stage. Check out their ticket savings program that provides discounts and sales to the public. Full-time university students receive 35% off regular ticket prices by phone for every performance. One student ticket per valid ID. They also offer pay-your-age tickets, which are for the 30-and-under crowd, and just like the name says, your age determines the price. Tickets become available about two months before the show’s first performance. Use Promo Code UNDER30 to see what productions are available in the 2023/24 season!

Folger Shakespeare Theater

Known for its innovative approaches to the classics, the Folger Shakespeare Theater has staged more than 94 plays since 1991 with a library on Shakespeare research (the world’s largest Shakespeare library!), they are a national leader in performance related to Shakespeare’s work. The theater is located at 201 E Capitol St SE, Washington, DC 20003. This theater has rush tickets available for most Folger programs, a 50% discount off any performance for students, $15 tickets for of their “College Night” performances, a 35 and Under and a special discount for First-time. See their website for more information: https://www.folger.edu/ticket-discounts The next production is Where We Belong, showing from February 15, 2024, to March 10, 2024. For more information and updates from Folger, visit their performances and events page.

Round House Theatre

Round House is a theater and community that encourages young people to enjoy and participate in their bold and outstanding experiences, inspiring empathy and demanding conversation. Tickets are FREE for anyone age 13 through college to see their mainstage productions through their Free Play ticket initiative. Additionally, there is the Pay What You Can (PWYC) offer, where Round House Theatre offers two PWYC performances during the first week of each production. PWYC tickets go on sale online or by phone only (no walk-up sales) beginning one week before the first performance of each show. The patron decides the admission price. They also offer 2 for 1 Tuesdays—all tickets to Tuesday night performances are buy one, get one free! For more information about discount programs, visit https://www.roundhousetheatre.org/On-Stage/Tickets A few productions in line are Next to Normal (1/24/24-2/25/24), Spring Break (3/15/24-3/17/24), A Jumping Off Point (4/10/24-5/5/24), and Topdog/Underdog (5/29/24-6/23/24). Check out their website for more information!

Shakespeare Theatre Company

The Shakespeare Theatre Company is known for producing classical works of all kinds and presenting them through a 21st century lens for a modern audience. Shakespeare Theatre Company is located at the Sidney Harman Hall (610 F Street NW Washington, DC 20004). The Theatre Company offers multiple discounts to help the theatre become more accessible, including rush tickets (two hours before showtime a limited number of tickets are available for $35 in person at the box office) and an Under 35 program (audience members 35 and under can purchase tickets for $35). The next season includes wonderful works such as The Lehman Trilogy, Macbeth, The Matchbox Magic Flute, Romeo and Juliet – NT Live, and Vanya – NT Live.

Studio Theatre

To experience contemporary plays in an intimate space, check out the Studio Theatre! This theatre is located at 1501 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005. Some of discounts they offer include the 30 and under – audience members 30 years old and under can access Studio production for 20% off with promo code UNDER30. There is also a discount for full-time students, $20 tickets with promo code STUDENT. To help pay it forward to local creatives, fellow theatre artists can receive $20 tickets to Studio productions with promo code INDUSTRY. Their current production calendar includes Love, Love, Love (1/10/24-3/3/24), At the Wedding (3/13/24- 4/21/24), and Problems Between Sisters (5/8/24-6/16/24).

Wolly Mammoth Theatre Company

Creative, radical, and bold! Check out Wolly Mammoth’s works here. They encourage bold new theatrical ideas creating deep cultural conversations with highest possible production values! Woolly offers a handful of Pay-What-You-Will tickets to every single performance throughout the year- the first two performances of every show are completely Pay-What-You-Will with tickets, sold online through the TodayTix app (available on iTunes, the Google Play store, etc.) and the TodayTix website. For other performances you can purchase those tickets directly on their website by selecting PWYW seats. There are also Stampede seats—on sale two hours before showtime, only in person that are available on a first-come, first-served basis. They also offer a discount for patrons aged 30 and under-$20 Section B and Section C tickets. This also includes full-time graduate and undergraduate students. For more information on discounts, visit their website. A few shows from their upcoming season include The Sensational Sea Mink-Ettes (2/4/24-3/3/24), AMM(I)GONE (4/20/24-5/12/24), and Rose: you are who you eat (6/3/24-6/23/24).

Signature Theatre

Signature Theatre is known for wonderful theatrical productions including plays and musicals. They produce a mix of well-known works to new works that create impact. Signature Theatre is in Arlington, VA at 4200 Campbell Ave, 22206, which can be a trek from campus but the Uber ride is worth the beautiful art you and your friends will be able to witness! They offer two discount offers including rush tickets and student discounts. Some shows coming up include Signature in the Schools: The Possumneck Playhouse Presents Eli Thomas Neatherwood’s Award-Winning Adaptation of The Canterbury Tales (2/26/24-3/4/24), Penelope (3/5/24-4/21/24), Inside Signature with Johny Link (3/7/24), SigWorks: Dawn (3/18/24), HAIR (4/16/24-7/7/24), and Where the Mountain Meets the Sea (5/21/24-7/7/24).

Ford’s Theatre

You may know Ford’s Theatre as the historic location where President Abraham Lincoln was shot. After that tragic event Ford’s stayed closed for 100 years but opened in the 1960’s as a national historic site and an operating theatre. Today they produce inspiring theatre productions and encourage historical education. They have four different ways to get free or cheap tickets to their productions: a preview lottery through TodayTix, an obstructed view discount, discounted tickets for preview shows, and by joining the program GenAbe. GenAbe is a free program that grants you different offers, discounts, and access to separate events. Some upcoming events include Little Shop of Horrors (3/15/24-5/18/24). You can find Fords Theatre at 511 10th St. NW Washington, DC 20004.

Gala Hispanic Theatre

The Gala Hispanic Theatre is a center for Hispanic performing arts of all kinds. Their goal is to promote and share art relating to Latino culture with diverse audiences. To help create that diverse audience the Gala has many discounts but the one that would most benefit our community is the 25 and under discount. The Gala offers $25 tickets for those 25 and under for any of their main stage productions. You can find Gala Hispanic Theatre at 3333 14th Street, NW Washington, DC 20010. Some upcoming events include Las Hermanas Palacios (2/1/24-2/25/24), Quijote y Sancho Panza, nuevas andanzas (3/9/24-3/23/24), The Return of Eva Perón: Momia en el clóset (5/9/24-6/9/25), and Zavala-Zavala (6/21/24-6/23/24). More information at https://www.galatheatre.org/

Theatre Alliance

Theatre Alliance is the company in residence at Anacostia Playhouse. They work to promote socially conscious theatre, diversity, and innovation. To make the theatre more diverse and accessible they offer three discount ticket options: a student discount, half-price previews, and a name your own price ticket program. Shows for the next season have not been announced yet but you can check out their website here.

Concerts

AU Choral Concerts

Come support our amazing vocal ensembles on campus! At AU, the two most prominent choir groups are the Chamber Singers and the University Choir. The AU Choral Ensemble not only represents the Music Program and the Department of Performing Arts, but is a major artistic organization of, and ambassador for, American University. Every semester, the two groups present a cohesive setlist that showcases a specific theme or purpose. Sometimes they even put on a performance together in the spring semester. Stay tuned by checking the university ticket office homepage, where you can reserve a free student ticket for their shows at the Katzen Arts Center (4400 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016)!

AU Orchestra/Band Concerts

For jazz and symphony music lovers, be sure to check out AU’s orchestras and bands! Every ensemble presents two major concerts a year with a few exceptions. To stay updated on their performances, utilize the university ticket office homepage, where you can reserve a free student ticket for their shows at the Katzen Arts Center (4400 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016)!

Be sure to follow AU’s ensembles on Instagram and Facebook for upcoming event notifications!

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) is internationally recognized as having achieved a preeminent place among the world’s most important orchestras. While their primary performance location is a few hours away in Baltimore, MD, they also perform regularly at The Musical Center at Strathmore at 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD 20852, only a few stops north on the redline from AU! College students get access to BSO performances all season long for just $35 through the Student Select program! More benefits include: 

• Nearly unlimited access to Baltimore Symphony Orchestra's incredible performances all season long
• Admission to BSO College Nights
• Bring a friend for $10
• Insider access and updates on innovative happenings at the BSO

Check out their homepage for upcoming events and more information!

The Kennedy Center

The famous Kennedy Center is home to multiple performances every year. The National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) is the Kennedy Center’s orchestra in residence at the Concert Hall and the Washington National Opera (WNO) presents high quality, professional operas in the Opera House. They have a very special program called MyTix, aimed at making the theatre experience more accessible for students and those under 30. This program includes MyTix Student Rush with $10-$20 tickets and the young professionals' discount for those 18-30, which includes $15-$39 tickets. You can sign up for a MyTix account to stay updated on future Kennedy Center shows and MyTix offers at https://www.kennedy-center.org/mytix/ In addition, the WNO offers their own discount program for those under 40, BravO, which offers discounted subscriptions and single tickets starting at just $30. Upcoming NSO highlights include Musical Roots: Noseda & Friends (Feb. 7-9, 2024), Classics in Concert: Timeless Favorites (Mar. 7-9, 2024), and Symphony Swing! An Evening of Duke Ellington (Mar. 15-16, 2024).

Library of Congress Concert Series

To many people’s surprise, the Library of Congress holds more than collections, exhibits, and tours! In fact, they have a variety of concerts that highlight a diverse repertoire of different ethnic and cultural music both in person and virtual. Located on the corner of 2nd Street SE and Independence Avenue, the Southeast lawn of the Thomas Jefferson Building, the Library of Congress hosts concerts and performances for FREE to everyone. To sign up for updates and see their events, visit their concert page for more information. (Upcoming schedule was not available at publication time)

Millennium Stage at Kennedy Center

There are FREE activities at the Kennedy Center that a lot of people don’t know about, such as their weekly film screenings in the Justice Forum or outside on the REACH Plaza on select days of the week at 6 pm. Performances include band shows, dance shows, gospel quartets, and so much more! To see what’s coming to Millennium Stage, you can access their page through the Kennedy Center’s “What’s on” section. Upcoming performances include Extraordinary Cinema: Round Midnight (Feb. 11, 2024), Justin Adams and Mauro Durante (Feb. 14, 2024), Autumn Nicholas (Feb. 15, 2024), Lonnie Holley (Feb.16, 2024), Rare Essence (Feb.17, 2024), and so many more!

National Gallery of Art

We highly recommend visiting the National Gallery of Art to see not only the gorgeous painting exhibits but also partake in their special concert series taking place in the West Garden Court. Admission is always free, but registration is required. To watch and listen to past performances and see what’s coming up this fall, go to their Concerts page for more information.

Smithsonian Concert Series

Did you know that the Smithsonian's also sponsor and host concerts and music parties? With most musical events being free, a simple registration can take you to different Atriums and Auditoriums from various museums and listen to all kinds of music and performances. Take advantage of the District and relish your time here by going to some of their events! To see their upcoming events, check out the Smithsonian Music page!

Washington Performing Arts

Through collaborations with artists, educators, community leaders, and institutional partners, Washington Performing Arts brings a wide-range of programs to stages, schools, and neighborhoods to foster more performing arts experiences! From orchestral music, piano performances, instrumental and vocal recitals, the Washington Performing Arts offers a huge variety of musical entertainment. Check out their 2023-24 season, the World in Our City, on their season tickets page! Student discounts are available through their Gateway Student Ticket Program, which provides $10 tickets for students of all ages. You must call the box office for availability. Email patronservices@washingtonperformingarts.org for more information and to be added to the student ticket distribution list. Upcoming highlights include Living the Dream... Singing the Dream (Feb. 18, 2024), Beatrice Rana, piano (Feb. 26, 2024), Moonshine Society (Mar. 6, 2024), Zakir Hussain, tabla (Mar. 20, 2024), Alisa Weilerstein, cello (Apr. 6, 2024), and a lot more!

DC JazzFest

Do you love jazz? Although their free festival is currently not running, stay tuned so you don’t miss out! DC JazzFest runs events throughout the year, but their annual festival is the largest. General admission to the festival is free! Check them out at https://www.DCjazzfest.org/.

Contributed and written by Emily Brignand. Did we miss your favorite local events? Email us at music_library@american.edu!