For over two decades, Source Theatre Company’s Washington Theatre Festival was an incubator and a catalyst for virtually every major theatre artist working in Washington today. By design, it filled a void in the Washington theatre scene by providing a place for artists to converge and create outside the confines of established theater companies. It was a place for new voices to be heard and for actors, writers and directors to collaborate and network. Whether any given piece was successful or not, there were two things that could not be denied: everything was fresh and artists from all walks of life were working together.  

In early 2006, after several years of financial strife, Source Theatre Company ceased operations and the actual building that housed the company was on the brink of sale to a restaurateur. CuDC responded to the arts community’s need to save the city’s oldest 150-seat rental venue and engaged artists, government leaders, funders and activists to devise a plan to purchase and renovate the historic theatre. Today, CuDC owns Source and is raising $3 million to fund the acquisition, renovation and initial operations of the theatre as a dynamic multi-use performing arts space. Source will undergo renovations in August 2007 and reopen in early 2008 as a permanent home for resident companies, performing arts groups and the reinvigorated Source Festival.

In reviving the festival, the CuDC’s ultimate goal is to honor the festival’s rich history while also carving out a unique place in Washington’s constantly changing and rapidly growing theater community. As in the past, the 10-minute plays will be the centerpiece of the festival. But the major new component which will make the new festival unique from any other festival produced anywhere in the United States is the commitment from the area’s artistic directors to directing the festival’s new plays. So for one week, many of Washington’s theatrical leaders will come together and create new pieces with a mix of established and up and coming writers whose pieces are being brought to life by non-union actors and designers.