education and engagement
The cast of cullud wattah with Mosaic staff. Photo by Travis MaChenhao.
YOUNG JOHN LEWIS: PRODIGY OF PROTEST Reflection Series
events:
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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. Link to more information here.
The Power of Knowing: John Lewis, Poetry & Hip-Hop
Thursday, February 26 | 3:30-4:30 PM | 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. Link to more information here.
Celebrating Black Women Visionaries In DC Black Theatre: A Conversation & Honoring
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. Link to RSVP here.
Sneak Preview in Prince George’s County
Saturday, February 28, 2026 | 7:00 PM, Prince George’s County | Creative Suitland Arts Center
Come join Mosaic in PG County for a Sneak Preview of songs and scenes from Young John Lewis: Prodigy of Protest alongside reflections from playwright Psalmayene 24. Program presented with Prince George’s County City Council. Link to RSVP here.
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A Nation at Peace with Itself: The Enduring Legacy of John Lewis
Wednesday, March 4 | 7:00-9:00 PM | Ward 6 | Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital
It’s time to make some good trouble. Join us for a conversation honoring the legacy of former Congressman and Civil Rights icon, John Lewis, featuring John Lewis’s Longtime Director of Communications, Brenda Jones, Playwright, Playwright Psalmayene 24, and Historian, George Derek Musgrove. Link to register for the event here.
The Power of Knowing: John Lewis, Poetry & Hip-Hop
Wednesday, March 11 | 3:30-4:30 PM | Ward 5 | Woodridge 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. Link to more information here.
Carry On: Oratory Competition
Thursday, March 12, | 6:30 PM | Prince George’s County | Joe’s Movement Emporium
The Carry On: Oratory Competition honors the speeches of the Honorable John Lewis as students will use their voices to bring truth to power in a contemporary setting. As an oratorical competition, students will gain confidence in public speaking, learn more deeply about nonviolent civil rights actions, and honor the legacy of John Lewis. Produced in partnership with Joe’s Movement Emporium. Link to more information here.
The Mosaic High School Playwriting Contest
March 15, 2026 | 2:00 PM | 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. Link to RSVP here.
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.
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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. Programmed in Partnership with the John Lewis Institute of Peace.
Washington Performing Arts:
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.
Washington Performing Arts:
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, including acclaimed playwright and artist Will Powers.
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 Festival
April 23, 2026 | Ward 2 | Eaton DC
Mosaic concludes our season-long “Good Trouble’ Reflection Series with the Good Troublemaker’s Festival. Featuring keynote speakers, breakout sessions, 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.
Education and Engagement programs are supported by the Nora Roberts Foundation, and Mosaic Partners Circle Champions Frank Guzzetta & Paul Manville, Partners Circle Advocates Bobbie & Thomas Gottschalk.
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
The Till Trilogy
Nancy
The Art of Care
Monumental Travesties
Mexodus
cullud wattah
Confederates
Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill
Andy Warhol in Iran
Dodi & Diana
A Case for the Existence of God
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, HumanitiesDC, and Partners Circle Advocates Janet & Robert Wittes.
UPCOMING INTERGENERATIONAL MATINEES:
Young John Lewis: Prodigy of Protest
Thursday April 2, 2026 at 11am
Thursday April 9, 2026 at 11am
Wednesday April 22, 2026 at 11am
Thursday April 23, 2026 at 11am
Precarious
Thursday June 11, 2026 at 11am
Thursday June 18, 2026 at 11am
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 Frank Guzzetta & Paul Manville and Leonade Jones, and is produced in collaboration with the DC Public Library.
