Washington Improv Theater Seeks New Space to Bring Joy and Creative Connection after Losing 14th Street Home
After an unexpected lease termination, nonprofit theater sets out for new beginning in the District by exploring new performance, classroom spaces
WASHINGTON, DC (March 6, 2021)—Washington Improv Theater (WIT) is on the hunt for a new home for its life-changing classes, programming and thrilling, accessible live performances. After learning this month of an unexpected lease termination, WIT will leave its home of 14 years at Source at the end of August.
WIT, which will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2023, has used Source’s black box theater as its primary venue for live performances including the annual Fighting Improv Smackdown Tournament, the weekly Harold Night series, and myriad other shows. Since July 2021, Source also housed WIT’s primary classroom spaces. WIT’s classes enrolled 1,700+ pre-pandemic and foster a vibrant creative community in DC. After weathering the pandemic, WIT was in the process of rebuilding its education and live performance programs when news of the termination hit.
Improv performers know that when something unexpected happens during a show the best thing to do is to embrace it. The organization is prepared to do just that with this new challenge – but finding suitable spaces in the city on such short notice is a daunting prospect.
“When we received the lease termination, I was gobsmacked. But I know WIT’s staff, board, and community are resilient and flexible, so I’m excited to see how we turn this into a positive,” said WIT Artistic/Executive Director Mark Chalfant. “I’m keen to see how we can bring improv into new communities. We’re eager to form new relationships and partnerships to advance our mission of using improv to make DC a more connected and joyous place.”
WIT is engaging its community and the public at large in the search for performance space, classroom space, and administrative space—ideally close together, but potentially separate.
This includes:
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Finding referrals to people who manage spaces in the District. We’re collecting responses on two forms: one for classes and one for performances. These forms include specs on exactly what we’re looking for (and our whole campaign is encapsulated in this PDF). If you operate a space yourself and would like to talk about working with WIT, you can email mark@witdc.org directly.
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Talking to us about sponsoring a space. Is this a long shot? Maybe. But we are open to big conversations about new partnerships. If you’re an individual arts supporter or represent a corporation that wants to make a bold impact in the community, we would love to talk to you about opportunities. Email Mark Chalfant directly at mark@witdc.org.
“We are facing a tight timeline for finding a new space to continue our shows and classes. And we are hoping our strong community of teachers, students, and fans can help us with our efforts, said Krystal Ramseur, WIT’s board chair. “WIT is a cultural institution in D.C., contributing to both the art community and the night life of the city. We are confident WIT will be an amazing addition to any neighborhood, and we are excited to start conversations about the move.”
Currently, WIT holds classes at venues including the Universalist National Memorial Church, Atlas Performing Arts Center, DC Arts Center, and Project Create. WIT has historically programmed performances at venues including DC Arts Center, Atlas Performing Arts Center, Studio 1469, and Anacostia Arts Center.
More information about WIT:
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Information about our growing community partnerships program including work at DC Public Schools, Calvary Women’s Services, and Project Create
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Our FY21 annual report, which details the impact WIT made during quarantine
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Washington Improv Theater is dedicated to sharing the creative, collaborative power of improv in DC. WIT is DC’s premier arts organization showcasing and advancing the art form of improvisational theatre with over 200 artists, 30 instructors, 1,000 students, and 14,000 audience members engaging annually in performances and classes. WIT is a multi-tiered arts organization: a producing organization exploring and forwarding the craft of long form improv in challenging new directions; a community organization serving a rapidly growing family of improv artists. WIT is the place for improv in DC.
www.witdc.org @WITimprov
Best Medicine Rep Loses Space to Redevelopment of Lakeforest Mall in Gaitherburg
“As many of you are already aware, Lakeforest Mall, our home for the past five years, is now under a single owner and is preparing for redevelopment. While this is very good news for the City of Gaithersburg, it means that Best Medicine Rep needs to find a new place to hang our shingle. We’d love your help to find one. If you know of some place that might be interested in having us move in, please email us at bestmedicinerep@gmail.com.”
Since 2016, Best Medicine Rep was established as a nonprofit, professional theater company that specializes in new comedies. We are dedicated to the artistic, educational, and cultural development of the greater Gaithersburg area, and we strive to reflect and celebrate the diversity of that community through our inclusive programming, staff, and executive board.
