OUT/spoken

Expanding a departure that proved successful last year - Washington, DC’s African American Collective Theater (ACT) continues into its fourth decade with a fresh performance format for "OUT/spoken” -- the latest installment of an annual spring tradition.

Over thirty talented, local “ACT’ers” present Readers Theater-style performances of short queer-themed plays, that carry increased relevance in the current climate of political and personal attacks targeted at the LGBTQ+ community.

This year’s performances begin at 5:00 pm EDT on Sunday, May 24, 2026 when, continuing last year's change from previous ACT showcases, the short plays featured will be presented in an informal, “Festival” style -- following each other as one continuous series, with periodic brief breaks.

For a single, modest, admission price, comic, dramatic, and romantic shorts debut in a casual, flexible, late afternoon/early evening, festival format -- during which audience members may arrive when they can, then come and go as required by their busy holiday schedules -- yet still sample an array of original, short works inspired by, and mounted in observance of DC Black Pride Weekend.