education and engagement

The cast of *cullud wattah* with Mosaic staff. Photo by Travis MaChenhao.

YOUNG JOHN LEWIS: PRODIGY OF PROTEST Reflection Series

UPCOMING EVENTS:

The Fox & the Panther Play Reading
Thursday, January 22, 2026 | 7:30 PM | Ward 4 | Busboys and Poets Takoma

The Fox & the Panther by Arab-American Tariq Hamami takes us to the 1960s when Algeria established itself as the anti-colonial capital of the world and hosted multiple revolutionaries including the Black Panther Party. Presented in collaboration with California’s Golden Thread Productions and hosted at Busboys and Poets Takoma, this new play reading will include a special talkback with the playwright and local leaders, highlighting the work of activists in the 1960s and now.

REGISTER HERE

DC Metro Area: A Home for New Musicals

Monday, January 26, 2026 | 7:00-8:30 PM | Ward 2 | MLK Library

A panel conversation led by Washington Post theater critic Naveen Kumar highlighting local theater companies producing new musicals. Produced in partnership with Olney Theatre Center and Signature Theatre, the event will feature performances from Mosaic’s production of Young John Lewis: Prodigy of Protest, Olney’s productions of I & You: The Musical, Little Miss Perfect, and Signature’s production of Safety Not Guaranteed - all premiering in the DMV this spring.

REGISTER HERE

Full list of events:

Remembering John Lewis: Good Trouble and the Black-Jewish Civil Rights Alliance
January 16, 2026 | 6:00-10:00 PM | Ward 3 | Adas Israel Congregation
Mosaic partners with Adas Israel Congregation and its church and gospel partners for the yearly Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend days of inspiration. From shabbat to the Sunday community day of service, Mosaic and Adas will share stories, challenges and musical inspirations from Lewis' exemplary life of social action and building the beloved community. This Friday, Mosaic joins Adas Israel alongside Representative Jamie Raskin for a service featuring a presentation about the production from Young John Lewis playwright Psalmayene 24.
Not Just Another Day Off Poetry Reading
January 16, 2026 | 7:00 PM | Ward 6 | Folger Theatre
Each year, the Folger celebrates Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 's birthday with inspiring poetry readings and rousing historical speeches delivered by contemporary poets and actors. Mosaic will amplify their work by sharing a sneak peek from Young John Lewis as the significant relationship between Dr. King and Congressman Lewis is featured heavily in the musical.
Remembering John Lewis: Good Trouble and the Black-Jewish Civil Rights Alliance
January 17, 2026 | 9:30 AM | Ward 3 | Adas Israel Congregation
Mosaic partners with Adas Israel Congregation and its church and gospel partners for the yearly Martin Luther King weekend days of inspiration. From shabbat to the Sunday community day of service, Mosaic and Adas will share stories, challenges and musical inspirations from Lewis' exemplary life of social action and building the beloved community. Mosaic Artistic Director Reginald L. Douglas will speak at Adas Israel’s Saturday Morning Service about the ongoing need for “Good Trouble” across cultural differences.
A First Look—A Festival of New Plays Reading
January 17, 2026 | 7:00 PM | Ward 2 | Ford’s Theater
Ford’s Theater presents a reading of Young John Lewis: Prodigy of Protest as part of its A First Look New Play Reading Festival. A First Look is an artistic incubator for new works that illuminate the stories of lesser-known individuals whose courage and perseverance helped shape the ongoing pursuit of civil rights and equality in America. A talkback with the creatives will follow the reading.
Remembering John Lewis: Good Trouble and the Black-Jewish Civil Rights Alliance
January 18, 2026 | 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM | Ward 3 | Adas Israel Congregation
Mosaic partners with Adas Israel Congregation and its church and gospel partners for the yearly Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend days of inspiration. From shabbat to the Sunday community day of service, Mosaic and Adas will share stories, challenges and musical inspirations from Lewis' exemplary life of social action and building the beloved community. Mosaic joins Adas Israel’s annual Day of Service to lead community members in story sharing around what it means to make good trouble.
A Celebration of DC Home Rule
January 19 | 3:00-5:30 PM | Ward 2 | MLK Library
December 24, 2025, marks 52 years of home rule in Washington, DC. As part of the Young John Lewis reflection series, Mosaic Theater heads to MLK Library for a dive into and celebration of DC artistry, identity and community. Featuring a screening of "The Last Battlefront" and a panel conversation centering activists championing Home Rule, this event is programmed in partnership with the DC History Center and DC Public Library. Come honor the legacy of John Lewis and Dr. King with us.
The Fox & the Panther Play Reading
January 22, 2026 | 7:30 PM | Ward 4 | Busboys and Poets Takoma
The Fox & the Panther by Arab-American Tariq Hamami takes us to the 1960s when Algeria established itself as the anti-colonial capital of the world and hosted multiple revolutionaries including the Black Panther Party. Presented in collaboration with California’s Golden Thread Productions and hosted at Busboys and Poets Takoma, this new play reading will include a special talkback with the playwright and local leaders, highlighting the work of activists in the 1960s and now.
DC Metro Area: A Home for New Musicals
Monday, January 26, 2026 | 7:00-8:30 PM | Ward 2 | MLK Library
A panel conversation led by Washington Post theater critic Naveen Kumar highlighting local theater companies producing new musicals. Produced in partnership with Olney Theatre Center and Signature Theatre, the event will feature performances from Mosaic’s production of Young John Lewis: Prodigy of Protest, Olney’s productions of I & You: The Musical, Little Miss Perfect, and Signature’s production of Safety Not Guaranteed - all premiering in the DMV this spring.
The Power of Knowing: John Lewis, Poetry & Hip-Hop
January 28, 2026 | Time TBD | Ward 7 | Capitol View Neighborhood Library
“The Power of Knowing” is an interactive workshop that brings together the legacy of civil rights leader John Lewis and the expressive energy of hip-hop and spoken word. Led by poet, spoken-word artist, and hip-hop educational leader Tony Keith Jr. in partnership with DC Public Library.
The Spark
Saturday, February 7, 2026 | 3:00 PM | Ward 6 | Atlas Performing Arts Center
Mosaic’s annual benefit event will honor local “Good Trouble” leaders Susan Clampitt (former Deputy Chair for Programs at the National Endowment for the Arts), Andy Shallal (Founder & CEO of Busboys and Poets), and George Vradenburg (civic leader and founder of Mosaic’s Trish Vradenburg Play Commission, honoring his late wife’s contributions to the arts by supporting emerging female playwrights). The event will feature a performance from Young John Lewis: Prodigy of Protest and a sneak peek of Mosaic’s 26-27 season.

The Power of Knowing: John Lewis, Poetry & Hip-Hop
Thursday, February 19 | 6:30-7:30 PM | Ward 7 | Francis A. Gregory Neighborhood Library
“The Power of Knowing” is an interactive workshop that brings together the legacy of civil rights leader John Lewis and the expressive energy of hip-hop and spoken word. Led by poet, spoken-word artist, and hip-hop educational leader Tony Keith Jr. in partnership with DC Public Library.

Celebration of DC Black Theater
Thursday, February 26, 2026 | 7:00 PM | Ward 1 | Howard University
A moving panel highlighting DC’s long history of being a hub for the past, present, and future of Black theater, featuring present-day local Black women artistic leaders in conversation with trailblazers who built the legacy. Programmed in partnership with Howard University and State of DC Black Theatre.
The Mosaic High School Playwriting Contest
March 15, 2026 | Ward 2 | MLK Library
Mosaic uplifts the next generation of playwrights through its High School Playwriting Contest, providing mentorship, instruction and a professionally guided reading of the winning play with a director and working actors. This year’s contest is inspired by the themes of Young John Lewis, including justice, coalition building, and activism within our communities.
Artist Talkback with Psalmayene 24
March 28, 2026 | Ward 6 | Atlas Performing Arts Center
Curious about what went into the making of Young John Lewis? Playwright Psalmayene 24 will share insights into the process behind the production and his artistic practice following a performance of the musical.
Intergenerational Matinees
April 2, 9, 22, 23, and 30, 2026 | Ward 6 | Atlas Performing Arts Center
After watching Young John Lewis together, middle and high school students and seniors will engage in a post-show conversation with Mosaic’s artists and one another.
65 Years of Good Trouble: SNCC in DC
April 2, 2026 | Ward 6 | Atlas Performing Arts Center
2025 marks the 65th anniversary of the founding of SNCC–the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee–by leaders including Congressman Lewis. Mosaic invites SNCC members into conversation around SNCC’s work, legacy and more.
Washington Performing Arts Weekend
April 10-12, 2026 | Ward 6 | Atlas Performing Arts Center
Mosaic partner organization Washington Performing Arts will lead the curation of a weekend of special events celebrating the power of music and local arts collaborations.
Millennium Arts Salon Talkback
April 12, 2026 | Ward 6 | Atlas Performing Arts Center
Millennium Arts Salon holds a talkback conversation bridging arts and activism after a matinee performance of Young John Lewis.
The Dramaturgy of Hip Hop Theater
April 18, 2026 | Ward 6 | Atlas Performing Arts Center
Young John Lewis keeps the power of hip-hop theater alive! Playwright Psalmayene 24 is a leading figure in the movement and will shed insights into the form and its legacy in dialogue with other hip hop theater leaders.
The Next Generation of DC Changemakers
April 19, 2026 | Ward 6 | Atlas Performing Arts Center
John Lewis sparked many generations of activists and organizers towards fighting for change within their communities. This post-show conversation will feature some of the changemakers mobilizing for DC here and now.
The Good Troublemaker’s Symposium
April 24, 2026 | Ward 2 | Eaton DC
Mosaic concludes our season-long “Good Trouble’ Reflection Series with the Good Troublemaker’s Symposium. Featuring keynote speakers, breakout conversations, and opportunities to come together and mobilize towards a better future collectively. Programmed in partnership with Eaton DC and DC History Center.
Open Captioned Performances
April 25 at 7:30 p.m. and April 26 at 3 p.m.
Artist Talkback with the Cast of Young John Lewis
April 26, 2026 | Ward 6 | Atlas Performing Arts Center
Members of the cast will share insights into the making of the show and their unique connections to the work.

about the programs

reflection series

Mosaic expands the concept of its Reflection Series, started in 2022 in conjunction with The Till Trilogy, to year-round programming that provides inroads for deep engagement with the themes of our plays. Through cross-disciplinary, citywide partnerships, Mosaic will produce an innovative series of concerts, readings, panels, and symposiums that spark meaningful reflection and foster conversation about our work.

“After the play, the director facilitated an audience talkback, which proved to be equally as important as the play. It provided audience members the chance to engage with the actors, share stories, and connect with other audience members. Not only did we leave the theatre entertained, we left feeling connected and even made some new friends!” — Mosaic Theater Fan

The Reflection Series is supported by HumanitiesDC and Partners Circle Visionaries Cathy & Bob Solomon, Believers Leslie Scallet Lieberman & Maury Lieberman (of blessed memory), Champions Ken Grossinger & Micheline Klagsburn, and Activists John & Meg Hauge.

PAST REFLECTION SERIES

intergenerational matinees

A cornerstone of our education and community engagement work, Mosaic’s Intergenerational Matinees will serve as a catalyst for connection in the 2025-2026 Season, inviting discussion around our main stage plays’ common themes: identity and resilience, care, and seeking justice for ourselves and those around us. After watching plays together, high school students and seniors will engage in post-show conversations with Mosaic’s artists and one another.

The Intergenerational Matinee Program is supported by AARP, the Capitol Hill Community Foundation, DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, Events DC, HumanitiesDC, and Partners Circle Advocates Janet & Robert Wittes.

UPCOMING INTERGENERATIONAL MATINEES:

Please fill out the form on our Bring A Group page, visit our Ticketing Website, or email Jacob Ettkin, Education and Engagement Manager, at jacob@mosaictheater.org for more information.

high school playwriting contest

Mosaic Staff with 2025 Contest winners. Photo by Chris Banks.

Mosaic uplifts and inspires aspiring young playwrights through the High School Playwriting Contest. Open to 9th-12th grade students in the Washington, DC metro area, including Virginia and Maryland, the contest offers hands-on mentorship to young theater-makers and culminates in a public reading of the winning submissions at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, led by a director and working actors.

“I’ve always wanted to write. I’ve always wanted to be a story teller, and to have that verified, for someone to say ‘yes’ to me, it feels amazing.” —Destiny Linus, 2025 Winner

“This is the best opportunity I could have ever had for playwriting. It’s amazing, honestly, that I could even be a part of this. I am really excited about where I can go in the future with playwriting.”—Finn Davis, 2024 Winner

The 25-26 High School Playwriting Contest is here! Submissions are open now through January 16, 2026. For more information, contest rules, and prize details, click below.

The High School Playwriting Contest is supported by Events DC, Frank Guzzetta & Paul Manville and Leonade Jones, and is produced in collaboration with the DC Public Library.

Learn more