News & Press
Welcome to the Washington Performing Arts Press Room, designated for working members of the media.
We invite you to learn more about the programming, leadership, and vision of Washington Performing Arts below.
Latest News and Information
Washington Performing Arts Announces Michele Fowlin to Conclude 20-Year Tenure with The Children of the Gospel Choir
Washington Performing Arts announced today that Michele Fowlin, Artistic Director of the Children of the Gospel Choir (COTG), will conclude her tenure at the close of the 2026-2027 season. Her final season caps 20 years of service to the choir, the last 10 as Artistic Director, and marks a milestone moment in the history of […]
Washington Performing Arts Welcomes Nine New Members to Its Junior Board
Simone Earle, Donovan M. Harris, Olivia Kozlevcar, Nic Nivison, Eiman Siddiqui, Martín Uribe Francia, Sarat Varanasi, Olivia Vega, and Cierra Wells appointed for two-year terms starting September 1, 2026. Washington Performing Arts launched the Junior Board in 2016 to develop the next generation of board leaders and arts supporters, answering a prevailing refrain: how do […]
Washington Performing Arts Announces New Partnership with Barrel House Cafe & Bar
Mars Arts D.C., Washington Performing Arts’s community engagement initiative, launches a monthly music series at Barrel House Cafe & Bar spotlighting artists from across the DMV and the global traditions shaping Washington, D.C.,’s music scene. The series reflects Mars Arts D.C.’s commitment to meeting people where they are and bringing the arts into the places […]
Dance Theatre of Harlem & Washington Performing Arts Co-Present the Acclaimed Firebird, Donizetti Variations, and Return
Washington Performing Arts opens its 61st season by welcoming longtime artistic partner Dance Theatre of Harlem back to Washington, D.C., with a co-production of a special three-performance engagement at The National Theatre. The program is anchored by the celebrated return of “Firebird”—Geoffrey Holder’s acclaimed reimagining of the Russian folktale set in a lush Caribbean landscape […]
Washington Performing Arts Board of Directors Appoints Trista Colbert as Board Chair
Colbert is an innovative executive, dedicated community leader, and lifelong supporter of the performing arts. Effective September 1, 2026, Colbert succeeds Rudy Burwell, who steps down and continues to serve as a member of the Board of Directors. Nici Bush and Sunny Alsup will serve as vice co-chairs.
Washington Performing Arts Names Shruthi Mukund Director of Strategic Partnerships and Special Productions
Mukund will lead Washington Performing Arts’s signature community engagement program, Mars Arts D.C., driving strategic partnerships and special productions that connect artists and communities across the Washington region. Mukund brings two decades of experience building meaningful connections through culturally responsive programming, cross-sector collaboration, and socially accountable community engagement across the Washington, D.C., cultural and civic […]
Washington Performing Arts 2026/27 Season Announced
A season that underscores Washington Performing Arts’s role as the nation’s capital’s most wide-ranging arts presenter with roots in classical music, jazz, gospel music, dance, and global traditions. Highlights include: a landmark ballet revival with longtime partner Dance Theatre of Harlem, Wynton Marsalis and his farewell with the celebrated jazz orchestra’s chapter, the Boston Symphony […]
Washington Performing Arts Children of the Gospel Choir Present “RISE”
Featured Guest Anthony Brown – Michele Fowlin, Artistic Director – Friday, May 29, 2026, 7:00 p.m. This student-led concert at Howard University’s Cramton Auditorium culminates a year-long theme of R.I.S.E. (Resilience, Identity, Spirit, and Expression), which resonates through jubilant songs and spoken word, dynamic movement and imagery, and a powerful performance by these extraordinary young […]
Washington Performing Arts Welcomes Rachana Garg to the Board of Directors
Garg is a dedicated arts advocate and community leader with a deep commitment to advancing cultural engagement and creative expression. With a strong appreciation for both traditional and contemporary art forms, she is passionate about infusing wellness in the arts through yoga, meditation, and breath work.
Fourth-Annual Ruth Bader Ginsburg Memorial Recital features Pacifica Quartet with narrator Nina Totenberg
Pacifica Quartet and NPR’s Nina Totenberg collaborate on “Revolutionary Portraits: Our Better Angels,” at Sixth & I on Sunday, April 12 at 7:30 p.m. The program celebrates the legacy of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the enduring spirit of American transformation.
Annual Reports
Contact
Media with inquiries or asset requests should contact Washington Performing Arts media relations representative Amanda Sweet.
Media Inquiries
Amanda Sweet
Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. E.T.
Amanda@bucklesweet.com