About this Organization
Since 1983, Washington Revels has been a cornerstone of the greater DC arts community, celebrating global traditions with a unique emphasis on audience participation. Our performances foster inclusivity across generations, identities, and cultures, transforming spectators into active participants in the shared joy of storytelling and celebration.
Community: Strengthening connections through vibrant, intergenerational, and multicultural celebrations.
Culture: Exploring the richness of global traditions through engaging and educational performances.
Diversity & Inclusivity: Creating meaningful impact with a welcoming approach that highlights both local and global cultures.
Storytelling: Preserving and sharing cultural heritage through performance and oral traditions.
Outreach & Engagement: Offering year-round programming that thoughtfully reflects and embraces DC-area communities.
Access: Making participatory performance a joyful and accessible experience for all.
Connection: Encouraging meaningful interactions, bridging differences, and celebrating the uniqueness of every individual.
Programs and Activities
Washington Revels creates immersive, interactive performances that celebrate historical song, music, and drama. Each production is carefully curated to educate and honor the time periods and cultures depicted and take place across the region in diverse venues, including heritage sites, churches, libraries, and open-air festivals.
Most of our performances are free to the public, ensuring broad access to the arts. Even our flagship ticketed event, Winter Revels, has held an annual outreach tradition since 1983. Via partnerships with local and national nonprofits like Tickets for Kids, we’ve provided thousands of free tickets to low-income adults and children, expanding our mission of inclusion.
Washington Revels proudly supports two active vocal ensembles, comprised of talented volunteer performers who join through open auditions. Each ensemble is deeply rooted in tradition, preserving and sharing a rich musical heritage:
Jubilee Voices: Our most sought-after choral ensemble, dedicated to preserving African American songs and stories of resilience through a cappella music, drama, and dance.
Heritage Voices: A multicultural ensemble specializing in traditional American music—including spirituals, shape note tunes, and work songs—bringing history to life through performances in historic venues.
