Actually
By Anna Ziegler
Directed by Johanna Gruenhut
October 17 – November 18, 2018
At Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater in the Arlene and Robert Kogod Cradle
1101 6th St SW, Washington, DC
Tom and Amber, freshmen at Princeton University, seem to be on the same page about where their relationship is heading, until suddenly they aren’t. What begins as a casual hook up turns into a Title IX hearing in which both students have everything to lose. Tackling the highly charged topic of sexual consent, this provocative new play by Anna Ziegler (Photograph 51) investigates the intersection of gender and race in campus politics today, offering a nuanced and psychologically rich portrait of a generation. Featuring Sylvia Kates and Jaysen Wright.
“It empathetically pries open the heads and hearts of its two fragile characters. The acting is warm and intelligent, [the characters are] utterly cogent and difficult to dismiss. Ziegler positions the story precisely.”—Washington Post
“One of the best two-person plays I’ve seen in quite a long time.” –Washington City Paper
“Electrifying, full of vibrant language and emotion…absolutely compelling theater: suspenseful, easy to be swallowed up by, and helmed by two powerful performers. As an immersive examination of the young people trapped in this quandary, Actually knocks it out of the park.”—DC Metro Theater Arts
Your tickets will be available for pick up at Arena Stage outside of the Kogod Cradle one hour prior to your scheduled performance. Tickets are not being held or sold at the Arena Stage box office.
Running time: 90 minutes, no intermission
At Arena Stage
at the Mead Center for American Theater in the Arlene and Robert Kogod Cradle
1101 6th St SW, Washington, DC


All events are free and open to everyone except where noted otherwise. All events and times subject to change. Please check this page for up-to-date announcements.
Date | Discussion |
Thursday, October 25 and November 8 following the 7:30 PM performance | Cast Talkback
Q & A with members of the acting company. |
Sunday, October 28 following the 2:00 PM matinee | Creative Conversation The Art of ActuallyJoin Director Johanna Gruenhut and Scenic and Lighting Designer Jesse Belsky for a behind-the-scenes look at this production. |
Sunday, November 4 following the 2:00 PM matinee | Sunday Symposium Three Sides to Every Story Our panel tries to unpack the many complicating factors that play into University Title IX cases today, including alcohol, youth culture, and gender, race, and campus politics. Join Samantha Berner, Interim Title IX Coordinator and University Title IX Investigator, Georgetown University, and Yolanda Savage-Narva, MSEd, Executive Director, Operation Understanding DC to discuss the realities and complexities of Title IX cases on campuses today. |
Sunday, November 11 following the 2:00 PM matinee | Sunday Symposium Combating Sexual Harassment As our nation’s awareness and understanding of sexual harassment continues to grow, different ways to combat the problem have emerged. Join us for a conversation on this topic with Fatima Goss Graves, the President and CEO of the National Women’s Law Center, and Marty Langelan an economist, author and activist who has been called “the godmother of direct intervention.” |
Actually is made possible through the support of our production angels.
LEADING ANGELS
Bruce A. Cohen
Arlene and Martin Klepper
SPONSORING ANGELS
The Family of H. Max & Josephine F. Ammerman and Andrew Ammerman
Michele and Allan Berman
Bonnie and Louis Cohen
Patti and Mitchell Herman
Leshowitz Family Foundation, Terry Singer
Evelyn Sandground and Bill Perkins
SUPPORTING ANGELS
Dr. John Immerwahr and Kathy Byrnes
Jeff Menick
Kathryn Veal
Irene and Alan Wurtzel
Margot Zimmerman
Theater J Season Sponsors
Leading Producers
Arlene and Robert Kogod, The Robert and Arlene Kogod Family Foundation
Sponsoring Producers
Carolyn June Kaplan
The Morningstar Foundation
Nancy and Saul M. Pilchen
The Revada Foundation
The Share Fund
The Shubert Foundation
Supporting Producers
The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities
Hubert M. Schlosberg
Marion Ein Lewin