Summerfest 2022

Artist Marketplace

1:00pm-7:00pm,
Outside the Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab

When the stages were closed, actors and performers developed new skills and honed existing hobbies into creative business. From hand-crafted cards and other homemade goods, these local artists are gathering at Olney Theatre to sell their wares like greeting cards from local actor Michael Russotto to fashionable totes from Non Linear Bags. Other vendors include: Beaute Blossom, SarahTArtist, Night Owl Trinkets, and more. Come out and support! 

Outdoor Games

1:00pm-6:00pm, Outside the Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab

Jenga, volleyball, temporary tattoos, and more will be set out for all to enjoy.

Lone Oak Farm Brewing Co.

1:00-7:00pm, Outside the Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab

Nothing like a cold drink on a hot summer day from our friends at Lone Oak Farm Brewery Co—whether it’s a beer, a hard seltzer, or hard soda.

Food Trucks

1:00pm-7:00pm, Outside the Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab

Sweet and savory crepes from Holy Crepes for your summer afternoon that are just heavenly. We are also excited to have Wi Jammin food truck bringing Caribbean tastes to SummerFest.

Friends of the Library Book Sale

1:00pm-6:00pm, The 1938 Original Theatre Lobby

Looking for your next great read on a budget? Montgomery County Friends of the Library are bringing hundreds of books for all ages to SummerFest. Feel free to browse and purchase used books for your summer reading.

Props Sale

1:00pm-6:00pm, Outside Costume Shop

Looking for a one-of-a-kind piece? Then stop by our props sale right outside of our costume shop for a chance to purchase furniture or other unique pieces that have been handled by actors and featured on stage at Olney Theatre Center! (Olney Theatre is NOT responsible for delivering or transporting purchases.)

Meet Our Community Partners

4:00pm-6:00pm, Outside the Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab

Olney Theatre Center has begun a Community Partners Program, and we are thrilled to welcome our outgoing partner The Sandy Spring Slave Museum and our incoming partner Identity, Inc. to SummerFest. Stop by their tables and learn more about the amazing work they do.

Backstage Tours

5:30pm-6:30pm, MainStage

Take a guided tour backstage and get a behind-the-scenes look at what we do and a closer look at our production of Meredith Wilson’s The Music Man, led by a member of the Olney Theatre Center staff. Maximum 6 people per group. Tours occur every 10-15min. First come first serve. Because backstage tours are indoors, face masks are required. American Sign Language interpretation provided. Line begins at 5:00pm.

Culkin School of Irish Dance

1:00pm-1:45pm, Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab

In Irish, Céad Mile Fáilte means ‘one hundred thousand welcomes’! Culkin School will take you into the world of Irish dancing, music, and culture with a mix of performance and audience participation.

Dance with CenterStage Academy for the Arts

2:00pm-2:45pm, Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab

CenterStage Academy for the Arts is bringing high-energy dance and musical performances to SummerFest with selections of Latin, hiphop, and contemporary. Come see these amazing young dancers, and then get up and learn some moves, too. CSAA is co-founded by Shawn and Sherion Cosby as a training facility for youth who desire to work professionally in the entertainment industry. CSAA is the home to the acclaimed Showbiz Next Generation and Showbiz Kids companies. This talented group of young people ranges in age from 7-28. CSAA and its students have also performed with celebrity artists such as Alicia Keys, Black Girls Rock, Missy Elliott, NBC (The Wiz Live), and Hinton Battle just to name a few. This electrifying triple threat company has performed in Los Angeles, Denver, New York City, Miami, Dallas, New Jersey, Philadelphia, South Africa, and the Bahamas. Their mission is to enrich the lives of all people by providing the best entertainment possible as a service to the community.  Dubbed by the Washington Post as one of the most exciting and well-rounded dance companies period! 

Afrobeats with DJ Swavey

3:00pm-3:45pm, Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab

Cutting edge, innovative and intuitive at every spin of the wheel, DJ Swavey can hold your attention on the dance floor with his seamless transitions, Afrobeats, and unique ability to blend multiple music genres. With the musical Fela! on stage next season about global superstar and activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Olney Theatre is excited to host an artist of Nigerian descent here at SummerFest. Instagram: @Swaveydontsleep. 
 

A Visit from Miss Maryland 2022!

4:00pm-4:15 pm, Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab 

We’re so excited to host Kayla Willing, our very own Miss Maryland who will be singing “I Dreamed a Dream” and other great songs for SummerFest. Kayla Willing was crowned Miss Maryland 2022 last month. A resident of Deal Island, MD, Kayla is studying communications and biblical studies at Lancaster Bible College. During her year, Kayla will tour the state promoting her social impact initiative, "The Write Reason," helping people develop critical thinking skills through journaling. Kayla will represent Maryland at the upcoming Miss America Competition to be held in Connecticut later this year. Follow Kayla’s journey @missamericamd. 

Bollywood with Natyabhoomi 

4:15pm - 5:00pm, Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab

Inspired by the high energy music from Indian films, Bollywood is a fusion form that combines traditional Indian folk and classical dances with Hip Hop, Jazz, Latin, and Middle-eastern dance. Instructor Shruthi Mukund, also Olney’s Director of Community Engagement, will lead us through a fun, calorie burning dance routine while also showcasing a couple performances that give you a chance to get the flavor of Bollywood. To learn more about Shruthi’s dance journey—Natyabhoomi.

DJ Supalee

5:15pm-6:00pm, Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab

DJ Supalee was born Leyland K. Lyken in Brooklyn, NY. He lost his hearing at the age of 9 when he almost drowned in a swimming pool. By the time they revived him he was deaf. At the age of 16 he was taught the basics of djing by his father Leyland Lyken Sr. (aka Funky Lee). From there he honed his dj skills until he went away to college where he evolved into the Deaf community by djing for Ebony Club, house parties all up to Sailors Ball and Brickfest. After graduating he hosted his first major event called Supafest which exposed his djing skills to the world, and he hasn't stopped since. Lee was president of New York City Black Deaf Advocates for two years where he brought together the first bi-annual eastern regional conference and helped create their board of directors. He also co-founded Deaf United Entertainment. Leyland also founded ASL Poetry at Busboy and Poets in Washington DC. This is the first and longest running "open mic" event in the Deaf community. 

Capital Accord Chorus

6:30pm-7:00pm, Mainstage Lobby

Capital Accord Chorus - a progressive women's chorus performs four-part a cappella harmony in the barbershop style - at Olney for an encore performance. Their fun and engaging repertoire ranges from jazz to pop to standards and show tunes - they sing it all! From Blue Skies, Consider Yourself, Under the Boardwalk, Paper Moon and Tuxedo Junction, the chorus bring beautiful harmonies, joy and enthusiasm to every song they sing.  Capital Accord Chorus performs at a variety of venues – Sporting, Community and Holiday Events. Sample their singing here.

National Players’ Much Ado About Nothing

Pay-What-You-Can

7:30pm, 1938 Original Theatre

Join us for the final public performance of William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing by National Players before they hit the road for their tour around the United States this fall. War has ended and soldiers return home to forget their sorrows. It looks like love is in the air. Except between Beatrice and Benedick, who are determined not to fall in love and get married even as they can't help engaging in daily verbal sparring matches with one another. Their friends Hero and Claudio along with others conspire to set them up whether they like it or not, but ill intentions may threaten to break up more than one couple in this play. Tricks, mistaken identity, and a clueless night watchman are on the horizon in this "will they/won't they" comedy that features one of Shakespeare's wittiest couples. Reserve tickets.

Meredith Willson’s The Music Man

Purchase tickets

2:00pm, 8:00pm, Mainstage

Our exuberant retelling of this Golden Age classic is sure to be the talk of the DMV - and beyond. With a cast and creative team of Deaf, hearing, and hard-of-hearing artists, you'll experience beloved songs like "76 Trombones." "Til There Was You", and "Rock Island" like never before. The citizens of River City have got trouble. Only, Harold Hill has them convinced it lies in their pool halls. His solution: a marching band, and he just happens to sell instruments and uniforms. It's all part of his latest con job. Everyone in town seems to be falling for it, except Marian. The catch is, Harold may be falling for her. Featuring James Caverly (Only Murders in the Building) as Professor Harold Hill and Adelina Mitchell (A.D. 16) as Marian. This is a paid event. Learn more info and read important content guidance. Stay for a short Q&A with some members of the cast after our matinee performance.