MISSION & HISTORY

The Free Theatre is a tuition-free, student-run, non-profit 501(c)3, theater company for all high school students with a passion for the arts.

Our Mission is to offer students in the DC/MD/VA metro area an inclusive, supportive environment where they can explore their passion for creating theater and drive the creative process, regardless of financial means. 

At The Free, students are at the helm of the creative process in every aspect, both on and off stage. Directors and choreographers bring the script to life while designers create props, costumes, or set pieces and program light and sound cues.  

The students manage their own productions with the guidance and support of The Advisory Board. The board consists of experienced mentors in the performing arts as well business and technical professionals. To round out the board, we also consistently recruit and maintain recent alumni of The Free to serve as advocates and advisors.

Additional education opportunities are provided to prepare students for these responsibilities. This can include specialized master classes taught by theater professionals as well as leadership workshops or other training.

The Free Theatre has existed completely on individual donations and grants since our inception. We are always looking for new avenues to keep us fully funded so that all students, regardless of financial means, may continue to attend tuition-free.

While the Free Theatre is a peer-to-peer educational program created to foster a community of artists, adult mentorship from at least one professional will be maintained for all rehearsals, master classes, workshops, and performances. The safety, well-being, and consistent guidance of our students is of the utmost importance at the Free Theatre.

HISTORY

The Free Theatre was formed in June, 2018 by a small group of dedicated high school seniors with the desire and drive to create a non-profit, student-run, tuition-free company for students who are passionate about creating theater.

We began rehearsals in Silver Spring for our inaugural show, “Mamma Mia” in December 2018 with a team of 50 students. In 2019 our rehearsal space moved to Rockville where we produced “In the Heights” and “Fame”. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, we had to shut down our spring production of “Sweeney Todd,” and went on to a virtual platform with intensive workshops and classes. In 2021, we finally returned to produce “Pippin” and “Chicago”. In 2022 our space was moved to our current home in Germantown where we produced “Urinetown” and “Footloose” and have continued with  “9 to 5,” “Mean Girls,” “The Prom,” and “Hadestown” in the past 3 years. All of our shows have been directed, choreographed, stage-managed and fully designed and produced by high school students. Adult professionals in all aspects of theater are present as resources, advisors and mentors to students.

If you have questions, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].