Live Garra Theatre
NOW'S THE TIME:
A MEETING OF THE MINDS SUMMIT 2025
NOW'S THE TIME:
A MEETING OF THE MINDS SUMMIT 2025
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The Clothesline Project
deals with the sensitive subject of sexual assault Live Garra Theatre invited patrons to participate in hand-painting T-shirts, expressing words and graphics that speak to their lived experiences. The T-shirts hung on a clothesline tied throughout the theatre space. |
Melting Pot Blues
By C. G. Gardiner
By C. G. Gardiner
NOW'S THE TIME:
A MEETING OF THE MINDS SUMMIT
A play reading series at the Silver Spring Black Box Theatre
6/13/25 - 6/29/25
An advance showing of the 2026 season, Now’s the Time: A Meeting of the Minds Summit delivers storytelling from the top of the mountain.
Each play in the series envisions a time and place of what’s conceivable; a glimpse from the ridge, imagining transformation.
The stories may not solve the enigmas of the human condition but echo the state of affairs. Now’s the time to meet the moment; to stand on the precipice and stare into the face of the abyss.
Playback Theatre, a re-creation of stories focused on bias and marginalization, aids in community healing-- a heartening experience.
NOW'S THE TIME:
A MEETING OF THE MINDS SUMMIT
A play reading series at the Silver Spring Black Box Theatre
6/13/25 - 6/29/25
An advance showing of the 2026 season, Now’s the Time: A Meeting of the Minds Summit delivers storytelling from the top of the mountain.
Each play in the series envisions a time and place of what’s conceivable; a glimpse from the ridge, imagining transformation.
The stories may not solve the enigmas of the human condition but echo the state of affairs. Now’s the time to meet the moment; to stand on the precipice and stare into the face of the abyss.
Playback Theatre, a re-creation of stories focused on bias and marginalization, aids in community healing-- a heartening experience.
Shadowbox
By Wanda Whiteside
& Cheryl Butler-Poole
Friday, 6/13/25 (8 pm)
Inspired by the poem, “No Small Voices” written by renowned poet Sonia Sanchez, "Shadowbox" is the weaving of tales about three women and their recollections of a bad date night.
These are no small voices, you hear?!
"If I had known, if I had known you, I would have left my love at home..." -Sonia Sanchez
Monteggia Fracture
By Jack Wibbe
Saturday, 6/14/25 (8 pm)
The story of a woman who is helping victims escape domestic violence;
as she flees from her abusive, very well-connected husband.
By Jack Wibbe
Saturday, 6/14/25 (8 pm)
The story of a woman who is helping victims escape domestic violence;
as she flees from her abusive, very well-connected husband.
Rhinoceros
By Eugene Ionesco
Sunday, 6/15/25 (3 pm)
The story of a small town that is suffering from a ‘rhinoceritis' epidemic. One by one, the inhabitants all turn into rhinoceroses; group think is out of control until only one man remains, determined to fight for humanity.
SEE THE FULL PRODUCTION IN 2026!
Parental guidance is advised; adult and controversial themes may be discussed
~~~~ Now's the Time ~~~~
Playback Theatre following the matinee
Sun., 6/15 (5 pm)
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Playback Theatre following the matinee
Sun., 6/15 (5 pm)
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Tea with Michelle
By Louise V. Gray
Thursday, 6/19/25 (8 pm) (Juneteenth)
Friday, 6/20/25 (8 pm)
As a dream sequence in this fantasy drama, “Michelle” has invited four women to the White House. Each of them is a Character representing historic African American women who have contributed to their race and the growth of America.
By Louise V. Gray
Thursday, 6/19/25 (8 pm) (Juneteenth)
Friday, 6/20/25 (8 pm)
As a dream sequence in this fantasy drama, “Michelle” has invited four women to the White House. Each of them is a Character representing historic African American women who have contributed to their race and the growth of America.
CELEBRATE
Caribbean American Heritage
MONTH
Caribbean American Heritage
MONTH
Melting Pot Blues
By C. G. Gardiner
Saturday, 6/21/25 (8 pm)
Set in Washington, DC., Tom Crossdale and his wife, Mavis are immigrants from the fictional country of St. Sabastian. They have two children; Faith and Winston. Tom yearns to return to St. Sabastian. This is a source of tension in the family. Matters come to a head when infidelity enters into the situation.
Rhinoceros
By Eugene Ionesco
Sunday, 6/22/25 (3 pm)
The play is the story of a small town that is suffering from a ‘rhinoceritis' epidemic. One by one, the inhabitants all turn into rhinoceroses; group think is out of control until only one man remains, determined to fight for humanity.
SEE THE FULL PRODUCTION IN 2026!
Parental guidance is advised; adult and controversial themes may be discussed
Blue Streak Week
The Misfortune of Kings
By Thomas Mason, Jr.
Friday, 6/27/25 (8 pm)
Johnny Williams a rising, African American baseball superstar, is forced into a desperate struggle with the president of the Red Hawks baseball team Charles McDaniels, when he learns his friend and mentor Sam Lacy who is about to be let go.
Rhinoceros (encore)
Saturday, 6/28 (8 pm)
SEE THE FULL PRODUCTION IN 2026!
Saturday, 6/28 (8 pm)
SEE THE FULL PRODUCTION IN 2026!
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Melting Pot Blues (encore)
Sunday, 6/29 (3 pm)
Sunday, 6/29 (3 pm)
~~~~ Now's the Time ~~~~
Playback Theatre following the matinee
Sun., 6/29 (5 pm)
Playback Theatre following the matinee
Sun., 6/29 (5 pm)
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Playback Theatre: A Community Heartening Experience
Post-show discussion following Sunday matinees
Playback Theatre invites the audience to tell a moment from their life, and then watch the re-creation of their stories with improvised scenes; focused on issues of bias and marginalization with artistic shape and nuance.
Playback Theatre encourages story-sharing to find connections between stories, fostering meaningful dialogue through shared understandings or experiences. It allows the storyteller to see his or her personal stories from different perspectives.
Playback Theatre Story-Sharing Conversations
Sun., 6/29 (5 pm)
Playback Theatre: A Community Heartening Experience
Post-show discussion following Sunday matinees
Playback Theatre invites the audience to tell a moment from their life, and then watch the re-creation of their stories with improvised scenes; focused on issues of bias and marginalization with artistic shape and nuance.
Playback Theatre encourages story-sharing to find connections between stories, fostering meaningful dialogue through shared understandings or experiences. It allows the storyteller to see his or her personal stories from different perspectives.
Playback Theatre Story-Sharing Conversations
Sun., 6/29 (5 pm)
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MONTGOMERY MAGAZINE ON STAGE
LIVE GARRA MAKES THEATER WITH PERSISTENCE
BY LISA TRAIGER
MONTGOMERY MAGAZINE ON STAGE
LIVE GARRA MAKES THEATER WITH PERSISTENCE
BY LISA TRAIGER
"GARRA IS A PORTUGUESE WORD for the curved or hooked claw of a bird of prey or animal. And it’s an unexpected name for a theater company. But after spending some time with Silver Spring based actor, producer and educator Wanda Whiteside it becomes clear why she chose the name Live Garra Theatre, with its mission to 'illuminate all facets of a multicultural society and to preserve the unique legacy of the African American heritage.'” - L. Traiger
The Window King
A Brooklyn Village Songbook
A Brooklyn Village Songbook
Welcome to Live Garra Theatre!
OUR VISION/MISSION
“Coming of Age” reflects the emergence of identity through voice—one story at a time. Our vision is to strengthen human connections, revering the visibility of self in a vastly distinctive society. Our mission is to provide a safe space for artistic growth and storytelling that empowers individuals from all backgrounds. Live Garra Theatre uplifts these voices through social engagement and the preservation of stories which leads to greater harmony and a shared celebration of our humanity.
OUR CORE VALUES
Live Garra Theatre is committed to nurturing an environment grounded in mutual respect, dignity, and non-discrimination. We uphold the principle of treating others as we wish to be treated. The Company supports the exchange of authentic experiences and promotes awareness, compassion, and collaboration among its board, artists, staff, and audience. We also value the free expression of ideas and welcome all perspectives throughout the organization. "Garra" means perseverance.
OUR QUINTESSENCE
Live Garra Theatre, based at the Silver Spring Black Box Theatre, serves as a studio and incubator for performers and artists. As a member of the Theatre Consortium of Silver Spring, we convene poets, playwrights, and multidisciplinary artists through productions, readings, seminars, and workshops. We aim to enrich the community, elevate underserved voices, and advance social justice through transformative arts programming across the DMV.
Why Our Lives Matter ..
“Coming of Age” reflects the emergence of identity through voice—one story at a time. Our vision is to strengthen human connections, revering the visibility of self in a vastly distinctive society. Our mission is to provide a safe space for artistic growth and storytelling that empowers individuals from all backgrounds. Live Garra Theatre uplifts these voices through social engagement and the preservation of stories which leads to greater harmony and a shared celebration of our humanity.
OUR CORE VALUES
Live Garra Theatre is committed to nurturing an environment grounded in mutual respect, dignity, and non-discrimination. We uphold the principle of treating others as we wish to be treated. The Company supports the exchange of authentic experiences and promotes awareness, compassion, and collaboration among its board, artists, staff, and audience. We also value the free expression of ideas and welcome all perspectives throughout the organization. "Garra" means perseverance.
OUR QUINTESSENCE
Live Garra Theatre, based at the Silver Spring Black Box Theatre, serves as a studio and incubator for performers and artists. As a member of the Theatre Consortium of Silver Spring, we convene poets, playwrights, and multidisciplinary artists through productions, readings, seminars, and workshops. We aim to enrich the community, elevate underserved voices, and advance social justice through transformative arts programming across the DMV.
Why Our Lives Matter ..
“If you get tired, keep going; if you are scared, keep going… if you want to taste freedom, keep going.” -Harriet Tubman
Supported in part by
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About our Artistic Producer
Dr. Whiteside accepts ISI Fellow award
Dr. Whiteside has been conferred with the designation Fellow for Institute for Social Innovation at Fielding Graduate University. As a recipient of the prestigious Dianne Kipnes Social Innovation Award; she will advance her work as a researcher-practitioner, conducting an ongoing workshop series that incorporates Playback Theatre, a performance exercise that invites the audience to participate in the creation of improvised scenes focused on racial bias and issues of marginalization.
Dr. Whiteside trained at the Boston Conservatory of Music, HB Actor's Studio and Usdan Center for the Creative and Performing Arts in New York. She has performed professionally at the Olney Theatre Center, the Arena Stage and the Round House Theatre. She served as a judge for the NAACP ACT-SO competitions and presenter at the University of Maryland Black Theatre Symposium on the state of Black Theatre in America. Dr. Whiteside had a 15-year tenure as a Director/Editor at Discovery Communications, Inc. She and her husband owned and operated the Bonifant Theatre Space in Silver Spring, MD, which served as the Zora Neale Hurston Stage for the DC Black Theatre Festival.
Wanda earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Arts from Howard University. She received a Master of Science in Business Management from Strayer University and holds a Master’s degree and Doctorate of Education in Leadership for Change, both from Fielding Graduate University. Wanda is currently a faculty member at Montgomery College as an Acting instructor. Dr. Whiteside received an Honorable Citation from the Maryland State House of Delegates for her work with the Silver Spring Town Center, Inc., of which she is a founding member and advisory board member. Dr. Whiteside is a founding member and current ex-officio board member of the Theatre Consortium of Silver Spring, Inc. She was awarded Montgomery’s Best Honoree Community Service award. Dr. Whiteside believes "Artistry is the insatiable desire to be free"-w.
“Respecting Race and Recognizing Racism through Playback Theatre"
