Young John Lewis: Prodigy of Protest

Assistant Choreographer Vaughn Ryan Midder
Technical Director Chris Banks
Assistant Technical Director Dazinsky Muscadin
Scenic Charge Cass English
Carpenters Carlos Campbell, Barrett Doyle, Jimmy Engelkemier, Cass English, Dazinsky Muscadin
Assistant Lighting Designer & Light Board Programmer Julian Cordovald
Lead Electrician Ben Harvey
Assistant Lead Electrician Olivia Rudd
Light Board Operator Asia Christian
Electricians Asia Christian, Jimmy Engelkemier, Dean Leong, Dazinsky Muscadin, Olivia Rudd, Zak Starry
Costume Assistant Rukiya Fields
Assistant Projections Designer Sophie Smrcka
Captioning Programmer & Operator Amari Chambers

Intergenerational Matinees
April 2, 9, 22, 23, and 30, 2026 at 11am | 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 at 7:30pm | 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: John Lewis’s Staff in Conversation
April 10, 2026 at 7:30pm | Ward 6 | Atlas Performing Arts Center
Mosaic partner organization Washington Performing Arts conducts a post-show panel discussion featuring John Lewis’s former staff members in conversation with Michael Collins, the chief of staff to the former congressman. 

Washington Performing Arts: The Music of John Lewis
April 11, 2026 at 7:30pm | Ward 6 | Atlas Performing Arts Center
Mosaic partner organization Washington Performing Arts, supported by the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts lead a night performing and celebrating the music of John Lewis. WPA and Wolf Trap musicians will explore the life and legacy of Lewis through his favorite songs, welcoming the audience into a post-show concert.

Millennium Arts Salon Talkback
April 12, 2026 at 3pm | Ward 6 | Atlas Performing Arts Center
Millennium Arts Salon will hold a talkback conversation bridging arts and activism, featuring associate professor of visual culture and studio art at Howard University, Dr. Elka Stevens, MAS board member and PhD Art Historian, Dr. Janel Blackman, and cultural worker and multidisciplinary artist, Nina Angela Mercer.

The Dramaturgy of Hip Hop Theater
April 18, 2026 at 7:30pm | Ward 6 | Atlas Performing Arts Center
Young John Lewis keeps the power of hip-hop theater alive! Playwright Psalmayene 24, composer Kokayi, and associate director and choreographer Tony Thomas are leading figures in the movement and will shed insights into the form and its legacy in dialogue with acclaimed playwright and artist Will Power. The conversation will be moderated by Tony-nominated producer and artist Marjuan Canady. 

The Next Generation of DC Changemakers
April 19, 2026 at 3pm | 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 featuring Sister Mary Brown and Rising Organizers will highlight changemakers mobilizing for DC here and now.

An Evening of Good Troublemaking
April 23, 2026 at 6pm | 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.

Interpreted Artist Talkback with the Cast of Young John Lewis
April 26, 2026 at 3pm | Ward 6 | Atlas Performing Arts Center
Curious about what went into the making of Young John Lewis: Prodigy of Protest? Come join the cast to learn more about the making of the show and their unique connections to the work. This performance is open captioned and the talkback following is ASL interpreted.

OCTOBER
Celebration of Community
October 9, 2025 | Ward 2 | Eaton DC

NOVEMBER
Hip Hop History Month
November 5, 2025 | Ward 8 | Busboys and Poets Anacostia

DECEMBER
The Power of Knowing: John Lewis, Poetry & Hip-Hop
Wards 5, 7 and 8 | Capitol View Neighborhood Library, Francis A. Gregory Neighborhood Library and Woodridge Neighborhood Library

JANUARY
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.

FEBRUARY
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.

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.

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.

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.

MARCH
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.