Anacostia Playhouse operated from 2013 as a black-box theater hosting plays, readings, and jazz concerts for an under-theatered D.C. neighborhood. Founder Adele Robey and her daughter launched the venue by converting a warehouse on Shannon Place. Robey stepped down in 2022 for health reasons and Stephawn Stephens, the former artistic director, became executive director. Robey expected a reduced role but alleges Stephens excluded her; Stephens denies that account and says financial troubles preceded his leadership. The theater received eviction notices in 2024 and closed in December after financial strain. Robey is raising funds to relaunch at the historic location amid competing claims of leadership.
Before it shut down last year, DC's Anacostia Playhouse was an important community venue for a neighborhood that doesn't have much access to theater. Recently, its founder, Adele Robey, has been raising funds to relaunch the theater at its former location in the Anacostia Historic District-but Robey's successor as executive director says he still runs the organization. The result is a confusing tug of war between two factions that both think they're the real Anacostia Playhouse.
Robey and her daughter launched the Playhouse in 2013, turning a warehouse on Shannon Place, Southeast, into a black-box theater. The Playhouse staged theatrical productions, readings, and jazz concerts. "It was just astonishing, creative work in a little space with no money," Robey says. But in 2022, she decided to step down from her role for health reasons. Stephawn Stephens, who'd been artistic director since 2019, took over as executive director.
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