Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater

Performing arts theater · Waterfront ·

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater

Performing arts theater · Waterfront ·

Tony Award winner hosting diverse American productions on multiple stages

Information

1101 6th St SW, Washington, DC 20024 Get directions

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"A prominent regional theater frequently cited as one of the city’s standout stages, contributing to a robust performing-arts ecosystem with a mix of classic and new works." - Nicholas DeRenzo Nicholas DeRenzo Nicholas DeRenzo knows where to eat, stay, and play in almost any locale. A travel writer and editor, he has contributed articles to Condé Nast Traveler, BBC Travel, Travel + Leisure, New York magazine, The New York Times, and Sunset. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines

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Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater

@afar

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"Revived and Better Than Ever! Located in D.C.’s southwest waterfront neighborhood, Arena Stage is a not-for-profit, regional theater in operation since 1950, and it's a Tony Award–winning venue. I’ve been coming to this gem of a performance center since I was a child, when my parents would bring me to see children’s plays. Back then, there were two separate theaters, making up the complex, one of which was theatre in the round, a very unusual stage for its time. Over the years, other D.C. theaters rose in design and function to surpass Arena Stage, which was sad because this place is truly a gem of a performance arts center, located in an area that sees little theater. In 2008, Arena Stage underwent a massive renovation. The architect decided to preserve the existing theaters by building a bold, new structure around them. The result is a cloudlike roof that caps an expanse of canted glass, supported by inclined wooden columns. It’s a stunning building. Inside, the original venues exist intact, and the best part about this is that they remain small and intimate. Even if you have a seat in the very last row of the balcony, you have a good view of the stage and the acoustics have improved greatly with the renovation. Arena Stage is a great venue to catch a show. Check the website for performance schedules and look on LivingSocial and Groupon for deals. There are plenty of restaurants nearby for a pre/post show meal. Metro stop: Waterfront"

D.C. Best Theater and Performing Arts Venues

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater

Nola

Google

First time at this venue and I was thoroughly impressed. Came here to see Damned Yankees.The performance was outstanding. The building was beautiful and modern. Nice concession stand, though prices are a bit high. Lived that theyre really environmentally conscious, with their use of the reuseable R-cups. Seats were comfortable. The theater is not too big and allows for an intimate experience.Great facilities overall.

Roger M.

Google

Good location, great seats. Went tk to see the Step Afrika show and it was totally awesome! Any seat in the house gives good views of the main stage area. My only knock is parking at the arena. If you have a large SUV (think....Escalade, Suburban, Infiniti QX56, etc.), parking under the arena is very tight, but not impossible. Turns in the parking garage are very tight and will take a few moments to navigate safely, even for an experienced driver, but especially for a driver who's fairly inexperienced parking larger vehicles into tight spaces. We were a family of seven and needed every seat in our SUV. We made it though, and enjoyed ourselves. I hope this review may be helpful. I forgot to take photos of the event, so I am sharing a picture of the little noise makers they gave us while there. Lots of fun and engagement. The show is awesome!!

Sharlene P.

Google

I'm writing this review to acknowledge Rachel in the box office for her exceptional customer service on Saturday, November 15th! I thought I purchased tickets for November 15th 2 pm show. However, I incorrectly purchased tickets for the 8 pm show instead. :( Rachel would have been well within her right to tell me "sorry you purchased the wrong tickets", but she didn't. Rachel graciously proceeded to find 4 tickets for the 2 pm show! She successfully found 4 seats and we were able to see the 2 pm show as planned. It was refreshing to experience such gracious and exceptional service in a time when customer service seems to be a passing practice. Thanks again Rachel for your gracious and diligent customer service!! Sincerely, Website-Challenged Sharlene:).

Bertha G.

Google

We watched another amazing musical show in the Kreeger Theater at Arena Stage. The show was "Chez Joey", a jazz musical set in a struggling jazz club in Chicago. The cast is phenomenal with awe inspiring vocal and dance talents.

Ben P.

Google

We saw Kenny Barron perform here during the DC Jazz Festival. It was an unforgettable experience. The program was well organized, and they noticeably put substantial efforts into making the sound system as pristine as it could be.

Matthew L.

Google

Saw "Fake It Until You Make It". It was a fantastic show. Make sure to check your assistive listening device before the show. My headset was broken (either full of static, not working at all, or catching the wrong sounds [stomps or props, instead of voices]). The venue was very clean and the workers were very respectful and helpful .

SuJin C.

Google

Had a fabulous date with my husband on a weekday evening seeing a heartwarming romantic comedy, "Holiday". We had several good laughs and were completely invested in the drama. It's definitely a holiday escape, and It's a must-see! The play was staged on The Fichandler Stage, an epic, four-sided auditorium, with steeply raked seating tiers with bold, earthy exterior design. Audience members are never more than eight rows away from the action. The cast came out from all corners of the stage and even from below! And what's a show without a trapeze? :) During the intermission, I had one of their specialty drinks, Anita's Flowers, and my husband had The Mary Pickford, Jr. a non-alcoholic drink. They were both surprisingly very good. I highly recommend ordering any drinks or snacks in advance. "Holiday" has two intermissions but they are only 10 minutes each! Absolutely beautiful and has magnificent architecture. Upstairs had an overlook where you can see the DC streets. So definitely arrive a little before your show to enjoy this experience as well. Paid street parking, as well as garage parking, are available.

Michelle G.

Google

What a venue. Ample paid parking optIons, near wonderful restaurants. The staff at the Mead center are great, the drinks are strong and delicious. The different stages offer personal feeling performances.

Lauren C.

Yelp

Attended the "Step Afrika" production at the arena stage over the past weekend. So many amazing things to say so first I'll start with the architecture. The building itself is beautiful. During the day it looks like a regular theatre or just another tall building in DC. At night, the building shines and creates a whole different type of atmosphere. The inside is extremely clean and well thought out. They have a concession stand inside. Just serves, soft drinks, wine, beer and other hard liquor and several snacks to munch on. No hot food but chips, cookies, and other pantry staples. Next the show itself. EXCEEDED MY EXPECTATIONS. Wasn't sure what to expect but the performance was amazing. It really told a story. It started off with the dancers in African attire with traditional drums and slowly progressing through the years until about the 1930s-1940s it seemed, based off the outfits. All the outfits were really well thought out. I particularly enjoyed the prohibition (flapper era) outfits. The saxophone player was also incredible. As well as the live singers. WOW! Last thing I really want to touch on about the performance is the high energy of the performers. From start to finish they brought A LOT of energy. I mean everyone was involved in the show and really into it. The audience as well you could tell was locked in. No photos allowed during the performance but I was able to snap a few of the stage beforehand. This was Yelp Elite event so my ticket was free, but i would have gladly paid to see this performance. Great evening!!

Candace F.

Yelp

Venue: The venue is in a great location and super nice inside. 10/10 Customer service: Staff was very friendly and helpful. 10/10 I came to see Unknown Soldier. Theatre was a nice size. I happened to have really great seats. You can take drinks inside the theatre as long as there's a lid. I'm enjoyed my time here and will be back!

Katlyn H.

Yelp

I have been to two plays at Arena Stage, and I would recommend this venue for those looking for more theatrical productions in DC. Arena Stage has three different stages depending on the performance. The last show I saw was on the Fichandler stage, which has the stage in the middle with seating on all sides. The seats were a bit cramped and it was a bit hard to hear sometimes, but the performers did a great job of giving everyone a view of what was happening. The location of Arena Stage is great, it is about a 5 minute walk from Waterfront station. It is also at the end of the Wharf, so you can go enjoy a restaurant before or after your show. As a casual viewer of plays, I would say Arena Stage has lesser known productions that they show. They won't have the well known plays like the Kennedy Center or National Theatre. They are the same quality, just lesser known. The prices for tickets I found to be a bit high here. Though if you are 30 and under, definitely check out their pay your age program.

Ali M.

Yelp

Very fun evening! Enjoyed Mindplay, loved the staff, appreciated the beautiful space and met new friends. Perfect evening.

Michael B.

Yelp

This review is about the venue, not a specific play. We make a point of seeing something here when we visit DC, so our point of view is that of out of town visitors. The theatrical productions we've seen here have been uniformly excellent, with strong acting, direction and sets. The theaters are located in a striking modern building a bit outside of the highly touristed areas near the national mall, but it's easily accessible by metro, ride share or taxi. The restaurants nearby are okay, not great, and advanced planning on where to eat is essential. Food is available in the theater but post-pandemic it's pretty limited and pre-purchase looks like it's required. I'd highly recommend attending a play here as a part of a visit to DC!

Jessica A.

Yelp

This was my first time at Arena Stage and what a fantastic venue! Loved seeing POTUS in the round. Great cast, hilarious show, and a fun-filled afternoon of theater. I looking forward to seeing future shows at Arena Stage!

Dana Z.

Yelp

I guess this review is a little late for me! Arena Stage is definitely in my yearly rotation of shows I always have to come see (although I'm still sad I missed Dear Evan Hansen back in the day) But I guess most recently I learned about their history of programming Black Theater which makes me appreciate them even more. Thank you to the August WIlson biography for giving them lots of shout outs which gave me an insight into the history of the theater. I did see Jitney a few years ago there and I did have tickets to Seven Guitars (but my performance was cancelled due to Covid) but I love that they still regularly put on not only shows by A.W, but other minority playwrights which really was something he championed. PS super grateful to Arena Stage for the teacher discount. I wish I could give them more than 5 stars.

Austin G.

Yelp

After living in D.C. for 15+ years, I finally made it to Arena Stage. Now I know I was missing out all of these years. Seeing the superb "Step Africa" with my five-year-old daughter, here's our experience. 1) Space: The theater is massive with several stages inside and slick design around every corner. My daughter and I went 45 minutes before our performance to explore the space and enjoy the view of the Washington Monument from the rooftop terrace. There are plenty of restrooms and a concession stand with food and drinks, including wine and beer. 2) Staff: Everyone was friendly and helpful from the ticket people to the staff inside the theater directing traffic. 3) Parking: Parking onsite is $30 online or $27 day-of on a first-come, first-serve basis. We parked a few blocks away for free in Southwest Waterfront. 4) Area: It's near the Waterfront Metro with many neighborhood gems nearby like the Duck Pond, the Titanic Memorial, etc. The newer District Wharf is a stone's throw from the arena with plenty of tourists and subpar restaurants.

Maureen N.

Yelp

It's always a great time attending shows at Arena Stage. My first time here was for the play POTUS. It was such an amazing show! The pay-your-age option also makes tickets very affordable. Mindplay was also a great show, and I highly recommend it!

Heather Marie V.

Yelp

I have been patronizing Arena Stage for years; it's finally time that I give them a review. Arena is a beautiful venue with three separate (and very different) stages, so they can maximize what they put up during the season. The box office staff is always friendly and efficient, and have been very kind in the past if I've been delayed getting to the theater for an extraordinary event and help me change my tickets. The ushers know exactly where you need to go. I subscribed for one season, and was always pleased with the customer service I received when I had questions or needed to change my tickets. (The free ticket exchange is a huge benefit if you subscribe!) They have discounted ticket programs for those who qualify. Get on their email or mailing lists to get discount offers on a show by show basis. They also work with TodayTix, but if you can't make your performance they can't do exchanges. Parking is *expensive* there and the garage is on the smaller side. Reserve your parking when you buy your tickets/subscribe so you're guaranteed a spot. Sometimes they fill up and cannot accommodate people without reservations. During the week you can sometimes find street parking nearby, but that's never guaranteed. The green line is about a block away and there are a few buses that drop off nearby, so you're better off taking public transit anyway. Arena is always staging interesting, new, groundbreaking and creative productions; even the classic musicals and plays are given a modern twist. I have no doubt this will remain the same with the new artistic director. It's always worth heading to Arena to see a show. You won't be sorry.

Victoria N.

Yelp

Went here to watch a play for a ladies night out! There is limited street parking nearby -- took about 20 minutes to find a spot. After 6:30 pm, the street parking is free. We came here to watch "Sanctuary City," which is a play about young American immigrants who sought to make a life for themselves in America. I thought that this play was quite fitting for a pre Thanksgiving adventure to help remind us of how fortunate we are and to also be appreciative of those who are working hard to make a living. This play particularly touches me because my parents are immigrants to the United States and had to figure out how to live in a foreign place without speaking the language. Arena's organization is also not for profit -- meaning they're able to feature smaller performances as well. The small royalties from Dear Evan Hansen paired with commissions allow for these performances to flourish. Enjoyed the play and definitely will be watching more musicals!

Shari D.

Yelp

Lovely location, there was ample street parking around the area. Service was speedy inside, the staff were very helpful and welcoming. They have a great concession stand and there's even the chance to pre-order your drinks! The seating is comfy and you can see the stage clearly no matter where you're seated.

SuJin C.

Yelp

Paul G.

Yelp

Th arena is amazing! From entering in it has an attractive ambiance about it. We attended for a show.. while waiting we was able to indulge in some libations which I'm always down for. The staff was very friendly and helpful. I seen that they have many other rooms for different events! I'm hoping of returning here for some future events.

Wendy W.

Yelp

Wow! Simply wow! The Arena Stage is one of my favorite DC performance venues. Convenient to The Wharf at the SW Waterfront, it's a few minutes walk to some great choices for pre-theatre bites and post-show drinks. The performances are high calibre. The sound in that theater is great. The intimate stage really makes it a more immersive experience. And due to the set up, pretty much any seat would give you a great view. I absolutely love that they have some fun non-alcoholic drink options. The parking is conveniently located on the LL and reasonably priced. If you pre-purchase parking online, you get a discount. Just make sure you pre-purchase at least 3 hours prior to show time. Prices for tickets are also very accessible, especially given the level of performance. Definitely a great evening out. Make sure you check out the outside terrace pre-show!

Nina R.

Yelp

I recently saw the musical, "Catch Me If You Can." It was amazing! Entertaining, so much talent. The cast were all so engaging! The venue is in SW, Washington DC. Only a few blocks from the Waterfront Metro Station on the Green line, about an 8 minute walk. The overall structure and the architect is beautiful to look at. The building has a unique circular shape with a lot of glass. Once you go inside and they collect the tickets, you can go upstairs and relax in the bar/lounge area. They offer drinks and snacks for purchase. The bartender made the recommendation to pre-order snacks or drinks in advance for the intermission because the line would be too long. I saw the musical on the Fichandler Stage. What makes this theater unique is the way the seats are situated to surround the stage, like a circle so there is no bad seat. Every seat is a great seat. Great venue to see a show or any production!

Haniyyah B.

Yelp

Loved my experience here. Their parking garage was $27. This venue was larger than expected. There were multiple shows happening at the same time. I recommend getting here 35-40 mins before the show to enjoy the concession because no food/drink allowed. Masks are required for the duration of the show.

Christopher L.

Yelp

Saw the new musical "American Prophet", and it was AWESOME! It's a musical about Frederick Douglass' life with added calls to arms. The music had clear black gospel and blue/jazz roots that sounded great! I loved the Arena Stage, the venue was very intimate, and all the staff and ushers were very kind. There is a mask and vaccination mandate for the shows as well. The theatre is tells stories with DC flags and 51 state flags hanging to the store that sells many racial justice books. I was honored to see "American Prophet", and highly recommend people go see it. I will say the intermission didn't seem long enough, and we did not have enough time to use the restrooms and get drinks before we had to go back in, but that's me nitpicking.

Orest S.

Yelp

Nice venue, 5 min walk from the metro station. I guess there are 3 different theatres. Cocktail bar is not good.

Brittney W.

Yelp

I LOVE this space!!! I have not been to Arena Stage in yearsssssssssssss and it is still beautiful. It's definitely not as large as the Kennedy Center, but a bit more intimate of the space. I went to see Drumfolk in the Fichandler space and it's my fave! I really enjoy a theatre where seating surrounds the stage. It makes you feel like you're more engaged with the performers.

Annie F.

Yelp

This DC theater venue is fantastic! There are several different auditoriums that help bring the audience into the plays or musicals. The various venues are accessible and have several seats dedicated to those needing more space and help with audio. Don't forget to grab a drink before the show! I've tried their Sidecar and it was excellent. The first show I saw was "The Holiday" and it was a fantastic play. The cast was smart, funny and hooked you from the start! The set is well integrated and was always adjusting to the scene. Note - the theater still requires masks so don't forget to bring one with you. If you forget, they do offer complimentary masks at the door.

Terinee B.

Yelp

I had an amazing time at the Arena Stage for the "Frederick Douglass: American Prophet" performance. I'll start by stating that I have a hearing disability. I attend concerts and shows pretty often and there are some venues that are not as friendly when it comes to disability accommodations for deaf/hard of hearing. It's not that they "won't" accommodate, but they just aren't as willing to accommodate and it almost is a turn off for me to visit certain venues. The Arena theater was the opposite. They were extremely accommodating and offered multiple options even though ASL interpretation wasn't available. Beyond that, everything in this theater as well as performance was top notch. The staff was friendly, the facility was modern, the snack options were actually appealing and the performance was phenomenal. I would absolutely come back to the Arena Stage again for another performance!

William M.

Yelp

I haven't been to the Arena Stage in almost 30 years. I couldn't believe how it changed from the outside. The actual Arena Stage was inside the outside building! Truly amazing! It's still the quaint up-close stage it was just with new wrappings around it. The play we were there to see was "Holiday." While the acting was great the play itself wasn't. Just a little convoluted.

Annie R.

Yelp

I went to 2 shows at this location. The first one was to see Drumfolk which was a great show! And the send one was the American Prophet which was so inspiring. Makes you want to learn more about the history of Fredrick Douglass and his wife Anna (and their songs are catchy). The location is perfect. It's close to the metro and close to the wharf with a bunch of nice restaurants and good places to chill. I love the area. The staff was also super friendly. The place is not too large or crowded so that's also a plus as well.

Michael O.

Yelp

This is my second time at Arena Stage and both theaters are pretty cool. This time around I saw a more serious play as the love theme was set in backdrop of Tulsa Riots. This was a really good play.

Charles S.

Yelp

I went to see a musical that was 90 minutes long without intermission. I got up near the end to use the rest room. When I attempted to return to my seat, an usher told me that I could not return as it would disrupt others. I've never encountered this before, and I won't return. The ushers were unfriendly and antagonistic. This policy should be made known before the event starts.

Yin Y.

Yelp

One of my favorite DC stages - an intimate theater gives an opportunity for actors to interact with audience; a decent-sized bar space for intermissions with reasonable priced snacks; a modern design, including floor windows and plenty seating, provides light and comfort; and helpful ushers. The theater follows strict health guidelines during the pandemic. I am grateful for that. It requires vaccination proof and masks, which is responsible for all who love theaters.

Esther Z.

Yelp

On Sunday, Sep 12, we saw the play Toni Stone. This is our 1st live show in at least 18 months due to the pandemic. We were so glad to be out and about, that I'm allowing myself to bestow 1 star just for AS still "being". The show being a good one was like icing on the top. The issues covered by the show are the difficult ones. Must be hard if they still around from the 1940-50 era. RIGHT. I digress. To enter you must be vaccinated or have a recent COVID test. AS is going to tell you this repeatedly on their web site before you buy tickets. You must also wear a mask. There was 1 intermission. AS provided free snacks set out at intermission as the bar/snack/restaurant service is still closed. That was very thoughtful since they could have put their head in the sand about that issue. Water, soda, pretzels, and granola bars were available for the taking as long as you could gobble them down within the 15 minute break. You can pay to park in their basement garage too. I had to call to add this to my itinerary because I missed it when buying tickets online. I phoned AS and they added parking to my tickets. I think their parking is a steal-of-a-deal. We come early (11:45AM for 2 PM show) and park. Then we walk over to Hanks Oyster Bar on the Wharf and eat brunch. Get some sun, people watch and stroll back to AS for the show. It's a full day for one of the lowest price for parking in the area. The show is a bonus. Lol. All very enjoyable. It lowered our stress level while raising our conscience.

Geoff C.

Yelp

do not park in the garage under the theatre. it is an extreme hazard getting out of the garage and you will damage your car and the management will not do anything to help you. warning!!!! do not park in the garage. it is $30 and you can park on the street for much less but it is virtually impossible to get out of the garage without damaging your car. the management of both arena stage and the parking gargage could care less about me and you. as a matter of fact i wouldn't go to the theatre there ever. tickets are expensive and parking is a nightmare. do not do not do not park in the garage!!!

Jimmy M.

Yelp

Arena Stage has done it again with "Holiday"! This was a fantastic experience that I don't think I would've introduced myself to without this opportunity and it is very much appreciated. It had me thinking about how people might've enjoyed entertainment before television came into play. Not only is this theatre small and personal but the art of a play itself really pulls you inside of the experience creating more of a first person point of view inside a sitcom or a telenovela which I've never been able to sit through on tv, but this method of delivery made it so much more engaging and enjoyable. This play was technically a rom-com set back in the day, long before I realized rom-coms existed. While I wouldn't say it was hilarious, it had its moments and more importantly it told a great story with many morals about what's really important in life balancing professional and societal success and wealth and materialism with living a fulfilled life nourishing the spirit and chasing experiences and pure dreams and finding somebody who has similar ideals. I could relate to this a lot, as I'm sure everybody can if they can look deep enough. It left me asking myself similar questions professionally. But what I know I can always be grateful for in every way is having a wife that fills my spirit and appreciates the adventure the way I do! The cocktails were tasty too!

Emily G.

Yelp

Definitely recommend going to a show here! I love the unique stage set up so you can see the whole stage from all angles. The actors do a great job shifting angles too during performance. Also the alcoholic drinks at the concession stand are quite strong!

Andrea W.

Yelp

I came here to watch Seven Guitars on a Friday night recently, and the venue was quite awesome. I got under 30 tickets right a few hours just before the show, and they checked for covid vaccination and ID at the door. The venue was really clean and so were the bathrooms. The stage was unique as the audience sat all around the stage, really cool! The show itself was just alright as the story was slow in the beginning but picked up at the end. Cool spot though!

Maria M.

Yelp

I finally got to see Jitney at the legendary Arena Stage! It had all of the characteristics of a typical August Wilson play...full of drama, laugh-out-loud humor, superb acting, and a provocative storyline. Verdict? Jitney was the cat's pajamas! Now to the one and only Arena Stage! Woot! Woot! The two-year renovation nearly ten years ago was definitely worth the wait. Looking like a billion bucks, the exterior and interior is stunning...from the ultramodern looking rooftop and glass enclosed lobby to the posh concession stand. The remarkably high ceilings are breathtaking! It's a spacious venue that houses three theaters. I was lucky enough to see Jitney in the Kreeger Theater. Loved the close proximity of the seats to the stage...had a great view of the entire performance from aisle 3 in the right orchestra section. Couldn't have been happier with my incredibly comfy seat. Awesome acoustics, lighting, and stage setup. Special mention: You can get everything from a listening device and parking validation to a program written in braille from a friendly staffer at Visitor Services. It's located in the lobby...directly across from the main entrance. Pro tip: Take Metro! Arena Stage is less than five minutes away from the Waterfront Metro Station (Green Line) by foot!

Rick G.

Yelp

My friend and I went to our first Yelp Elite event to see the American Prophet and enjoy some drinks, and we had a great time! The bartender Erica was engaging and helped make our night even more fun. The production was incredible as well! Overall it was a lovely experience.

Angela S.

Yelp

The reason why I am here. Hanging out with my good sister girlfriend. This drink is amazinggggg

Jane L.

Yelp

I see maybe two shows a year here, but I've also been to yoga with the American Pops, Arena Community Day, and DC Theater Week Kick Off events. I have enjoyed all of them! Fichandler Stage is in the round and sometimes I worry that it will be weird watching from behind the actors but they move enough that you see everyone fine and it gives you a different perspective, like you are actually part of the show. I just saw Newsies and it was amazing! The sound is not that great but the singing and dancing are wonderful. My seat was on the West side, Row D near aisle 5 and I thought it was perfect. I didn't have to strain my neck up or down. I got to the theater early so I decided to visit the cafe for chocolate cake and coffee. Both were pretty terrible. I recommend going elsewhere beforehand or bringing your own coffee.

Tessie E.

Yelp

I recently went to see Drumfolk, which was phenomenal! If you have a chance please go support this amazing cast. Arena Stage also has some other cool performances coming through. I will certainly be back. I enjoy live art.

Victoria V.

Yelp

Absolutely gorgeous location right by the Wharf in DC! The staff is all very friendly and welcoming. The shows are unique and entertaining. I am excited to come to more shows in the future.

Loretta K.

Yelp

I went to see Drumfolk and became a big fan of the Mead Center. The ticketing process was seamless as well as paying for parking in advance. The bar was nice and well-stocked. There are no bad seats since the performers face all directions. The stage was just the right size for the audience to be easily transformed into the electrifying story. I cant wait to attend my next play!!!

Aggie S.

Yelp

My friends and I watched a play here starring one of our college friends! The play is called Anything Goes and I didn't expect to like it but I did! There was a good deal of tapping which I really enjoyed and the cast did an amazing job! I took an uber here so i'm not sure how the parking situation is like but I heard that there is a garage so parking shouldn't be as hard. The ticket prices vary but we had this deal called 30 under 30 where you pay the price based on your age. It was nice because the tickets ranged from $85-120+ The place was super nice and there are lots of bar around the theater area! It is very close to the Waterfront station which is very convenient! There is an intermission for the plays so I took advantage of the bar which was obviously overpriced to buy at your own risk. Make sure to come to the play early and don't be late because they can't seat you if you're late when the lights are turned off! I would come back here again. The theater is interesting as it is 360 and it's fairly small so you can see everything even though you are all the way in the back

Rumit P.

Yelp

The theater is absolutely marvelously built, beautiful contours and designs, nicely manicured landscaping, just a visual delight from all angles! The quality of performances that are rendered here are excellent, varied, and entertaining. I saw The Normal Heart many, many years ago, Dear Evan Hansen in 2015, Carousel in 2016, Pajama Game in 2017, and another show here tonight, and the only real complaint I have is that the seats are so tight and the rows are narrow. (Not much to be done now that's it's all new and recently built.) The box office employees, the ushers, and all others are friendly, courteous, competent, and helpful! The men's bathroom is huge and very, very clean. There is no cell phone service/LTE in the lower-level theater--I forget the name. Parking is sparse. Take Metro and save yourself headache, worry, and a few swear words and enjoy your show.

Gail B.

Yelp

This facility is beautiful. There are three theaters. I haven't parked in Arena's garage but there are two parking areas nearby. Colonial parking is across the street, by the Wharf ($16). There is discounted parking for Arena guests ($14) across the street from Safeway. Make sure you get your parking ticket validated before you leave the theater. Waterfront metro is also nearby. Richard's place is a restaurant inside the theater. You can also order various meal specials inside the theater. I follow the theater's social media to keep up with events and discounts. Some performances allow tours before the show. The entrance is beautiful. The giant windows get a lot of sun light.

Helen D.

Yelp

This is for the production of POTUS currently at Arena Stage.Warning for anyone with hearing issues. There is definitely a problem understanding the actors especially if sitting in the higher seats and when the actors are not facing you. While I don't usually have trouble hearing normally at the theater I missed most of the first act. At intermission I sought out earphones and the staff said that it had been a problem with this production and that even with earphones it might not be that helpful in the higher seats. There were several couples who were planning on leaving because of this issue who also took advantage of this service when overhearing the discussion. They gave me an iPad like device with closed captioning which made the second act much more understandable. There is also a new system that you can use with your cell phone which is described in the middle of the program which I didn't notice until too late. You can down load an app which allows you to get closed captioning on your phone. It is organized by theater and city so you need some lead time to get it set up. It took several tries to get it to set up properly but it does work though the letters appear red on a black background so it's a good idea to adjust the brightness so it is easier to see.

Esther A.

Yelp

I'm giving them one star for a very poor business decision Arena sales just made. I bought tickets to American Prophet and shortly after received a postcard from the theater offering 35% off certain American Prophet shows. I called asking to exchange my tickets for others that reflect that discount or to receive that discount on my tickets and was told by both the sales agent and her manager that they would not do that. I've been a two-ticket full season subscriber for 30 years! I said that that didn't seem fair - they've been exchanging tickets for the last 3 years. But nope, that just changed and is no longer an option. I'll certainly not subscribe this year and will wait to get tickets. Stupid!

Mike S.

Yelp

My complaint centers around the experience of waiting in line for the staff to verify that your ticket is valid before you are allowed to walk up the steps to the theater. Either the machines that scan the QR code of the ticket are malfunctioning or the staff members do not know how to use the scanning devices, because it takes 2 minutes for each ticket holder to have their tickets verified. This inefficiency is further amplified and protracted when the patron places their phone with the QR code displayed on the phone's screen into the scanning system. Other venues like the Kennedy Center or the National Theater do not have this problem. You may want to consult with them in order to glean their notable and best practices.

James Q.

Yelp

This is a great theater. We saw Ride the Cyclone there and it was an amazing show. The staff was friendly and the drinks were amazing.

Tracy N.

Yelp

Wonderful date night on Christmas Eve to see Nina Simone: Four Women at Arena Stage. I'm embarrassed to admit that this was my first visit to this theater but I can promise it will not be my last. I could rave all day and night about this awesome performance, but the review is about the venue... Parking kinda sucks in this area. Upon entering the lobby, the warm friendly greeters made us forget all about it. He used the mobile app for the purchase, as he frequents the theater, so the greeters directed us to the lower right side after a quick look at his phone. We sat in the third row on the end and the seats were quite comfortable. I worried about him being 6'10" and having enough leg room, however I'm the newbie, he's been there and done that! The venue is quite intimate. I felt like the actresses were talking to me when performing. And I was sure to give praise when appropriate during this exhilarating performance. All in all, this venue is run like a well oiled machine. The performance was sold out and everyone was seated and ready before the actresses took the stage. Thankfully the playbook provided a schedule for other shows as I will definitely return.

Heather S.

Yelp

WOW. Last night was the first time I have visited the Arena Stage. My husband bought tickets to "Dave," and we went to the 7:30pm show on 8/12/18. We took an Uber, so no review/comment on the parking garage situation everyone complains about... We were pleasantly surprised that we could take a drink into the theater. It was nice to sip a bourbon while enjoying the show. The theater itself is nice - seats weren't too terribly close together. The helpers were were helpful and friendly. The show was AMAZING. I would go see it again. They did a good job of turning the movie into a musical. They also incorporated more current humor - which was a little annoying at the beginning. I was afraid it was going to be a bash-Trump musical instead of the show I was looking forward to. But it turned out to be the perfect amount of "updating" and I laughed and cried through the entire thing. Very happy with the entire experience and I can't wait to go back!

Ivana Jane V.

Yelp

Arena Stage parking sucks. We went there to park our car with a $24 fee. The parking spots have areas where you have no other way out but to have the other car moved out, so the task of the parking staff is to make sure that those cars leave their keys so that other cars can go out any time. We went in there to park and the parking person pointed us to the area where it will be blocked, we were skeptical to leave our car in there and asked the staff if he will be sure that we can get out anytime we want if another person parked behind us and he said "YES, I do it everytime!" And we asked again to make sure he said, "I'm sure, Don't Worry!" So we left and parked there. When it's time for us to leave the worst happened! The parking person told us the owner of the car behind us didnt leave the keys on him. And he said he'll get the key of the other truck beside it so he can move our car out. We agreed. We waited for 30mins, and theres no key for the truck! Waited for another 30mins with the news that the owner of the truck is not even in the building and won't even get his car out for the day! And we demanded for a refund cause they've wasted our time waiting in the parking with this issue. The staff would argue that he cant do anything about it. That he is out of control. But that's his job. So we demanded the car to be towed and wheeled out of the way. And we waited for another hour to get it out of the way! We were so disappointed on how they handle it that they dont seem to care! They should always have a plan B if these things happened! They should act on it! They even told us "We can't do anything about it!" that made everything worst! Such a shame!

Kimberly J.

Yelp

My first time here! Came to watch King Hedley II and loved it. There is street parking as well as a lot beside the Arena Stage. I believe parking in the lot is $20. We came on a Sunday, so street parking was free. Employees all around the Arena Stage are super helpful and friendly. It's incredibly spacious inside and I love the design of the building. Restrooms are conveniently located all around the Arena Stage. We really enjoyed the performance. Actors were on point. Lighting, costume, stage, and music all came together beautifully. Everyone is so talented and it was an overall wonderful experience. I cannot wait to come back to watch more shows at Arena Stage.

@travelleisure

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Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater

@afar

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D.C. Best Theater and Performing Arts Venues

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater

Nola

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Lauren C.

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Ali M.

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Very fun evening! Enjoyed Mindplay, loved the staff, appreciated the beautiful space and met new friends. Perfect evening.

Michael B.

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Nina R.

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Orest S.

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Nice venue, 5 min walk from the metro station. I guess there are 3 different theatres. Cocktail bar is not good.

Brittney W.

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Annie F.

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Terinee B.

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William M.

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Annie R.

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Michael O.

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This is my second time at Arena Stage and both theaters are pretty cool. This time around I saw a more serious play as the love theme was set in backdrop of Tulsa Riots. This was a really good play.

Charles S.

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Yin Y.

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Jimmy M.

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Emily G.

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Angela S.

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The reason why I am here. Hanging out with my good sister girlfriend. This drink is amazinggggg

Jane L.

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Tessie E.

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Victoria V.

Yelp

Absolutely gorgeous location right by the Wharf in DC! The staff is all very friendly and welcoming. The shows are unique and entertaining. I am excited to come to more shows in the future.

Loretta K.

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Aggie S.

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Rumit P.

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Gail B.

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Helen D.

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Esther A.

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Mike S.

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James Q.

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This is a great theater. We saw Ride the Cyclone there and it was an amazing show. The staff was friendly and the drinks were amazing.

Tracy N.

Yelp

Heather S.

Yelp

Ivana Jane V.

Yelp

Kimberly J.

Yelp

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater

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