Active Cultures Theatre, the vernacular theatre of Maryland, is a locally-focused professional theatre based in the Gateway Arts District of Prince George’s County. Founded in 2006, Active Cultures Theatre seeks to explore local cultures through a broad spectrum of professionally produced theatre.

Our work has not gone unnoticed. In September 2010, Maryland National Parks and Planning named us Artist of the Month. Yale Universitys THEATRE MAGAZINE will feature our work in their Winter 2011 edition. A 2008 article in INSIDE ARTS MAGAZINE identified Active Cultures as a leader in the local theatre movement. In this past year alone, our work has been featured in stories on WAMUs Metro Connection, WPFWs Sophies Parlor, WCBMs Review/Preview, News Channel 8, DC Theatre Scene, The Washington Post, The Prince Georges Gazette, The Washington Express and The Washington Examiner.

Local funders believe in our work. This year we will receive support from two Prince Georges County Council Members; the City of University Park; the Arts Councils of Riverdale Park and College Park; as well as the Prince Georges County Arts Council and the Maryland State Arts Council. 90% of our income comes from local donors.

Our work is nationally significant. PHOTOGRAPH 51 a play Active Cultures commissioned in June 2007 and produced in February 2008, won the Stages Award, a $10,000 international prize given to the best new play about science or technology. Since our world premiere production, PHOTOGRAPH 51 has gone on to highly successful productions in New York, Massachusetts, and Los Angeles. This season PHOTOGRAPH 51 will be produced Off-Broadway at Ensemble Studio Theatre and also at Theatre J in Washington DC.