The Keegan Theatre has always been a supporter and producer of new works. In addition to fully producing 22 world premieres since opening in 1997, Keegan has workshopped many new works and played a critical developmental role in dozens of others. Keegan’s Boiler Room Series (BRS) amplifies those efforts by actively seeking artists and projects in international, national, and local searches for new plays and musicals, offering support and a stage for new and unique performances and performers, and working to promote the creative minds that are driving theater in DC and beyond to new and unexpected places.
Named after the old boiler room of the pre-renovation Keegan Theatre, the annual BRS calendar includes, among other events, workshops and presentations of staged readings of new works, which give playwrights the opportunity to hear their pieces performed and to receive audience feedback.
Events
The annual Boiler Room Series calendar includes workshop presentations, staged readings, cabarets, and other unique performances and events.
Archive
Since 2017, the Boiler Room Series has been offering support and shining the spotlight on emerging playwrights and artists with fresh voices.
To create opportunities for emerging artists,
To increase representation onstage,
To provoke important conversations,
To turn art into action through exposure and giving,
To feed the fire of new projects in progress,
To raise the creative voices of tomorrow’s theater.
Keegan’s Boiler Room Series is radically committed to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism. Since launching in 2017, at least 50% of featured BRS playwrights have been women and at least 50% of all BRS artists have been BIPOC. Many of our artists identify as LGBTQ+. We are committed to maintaining and improving upon those standards across all BRS programming.
The Boiler Room Series remains committed to:
- Featuring 50% or more BIPOC playwrights
- Casting 50% or more BIPOC performers/presenters
- Staffing 50% or more BIPOC production team members
- Hiring 25% or more artists who identify as LGBTQ+
- Developing a BRS playreading and producing advisory panel with at least 50% or more BIPOC artists, 50% or more women artists, and 25% or more LGBTQ+ identifying artists.