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D.C. Theatre Week aims to amplify diversity and accessibility in theater across the District, and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts not only participates in the event but prioritizes inclusion in all its efforts.

Theatre Washington’s Theatre Week runs from Sept. 21 to Oct. 8 this year, with venues like the Mosaic Theater Company and Ford鈥檚 Theatre Society also participating.

In recent years, diversity and access have become a larger discussion within the D.C. theater community. From diversity in audiences and the theater world, to the subject matter and medium, the Kennedy Center continues making conscious, concrete efforts to expand programming.

Its programming includes free performances at Millennium Stage on Wednesday through Saturday evenings.

鈥淚n 鈥楽ocial Impact,鈥� we take a really intentional approach with our curation, just making sure we鈥檙e covering as many cultures and backgrounds and artistic mediums as we can鈥揳s many stories as we can,鈥� said Karina Galiano, program manager of Creative Alliances at the Kennedy Center.聽

Current programming at the center ranges from a free exhibit about Americans against apartheid, a video series on Black radio, and a comedy show, to a re-telling of Mulan through dance.聽

Caleen Jennings, former director of American University鈥檚 Theatre and Musical Theatre Program and long-time member of the D.C. theater community, said the Kennedy Center has put forth serious diversity and accessibility efforts over the past several years.

鈥淭he Kennedy Center has been a place that has nurtured and put the spotlight on diversity in many forms,鈥� Jennings said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really been at the heart of diversity efforts for a long time.鈥�

The 鈥� the center鈥檚 newest addition, is a less traditional theater space that allows more collaboration and artistic experimentation.聽

Jennings said it architecturally breaks down the foreboding white walls of the main building and opens up the campus, making the Kennedy Center feel more accessible.

鈥淭heir doors have been open on so many levels. They鈥檝e held huge convenings of playwrights, many of whom are playwrights of color,鈥� Jennings said. 鈥淭hey are the nation鈥檚 theater, literally, but they also have a hand in the local theater scene. I would say they鈥檙e very actively engaged.鈥�

The last performance of 鈥淚mage China: Dance Drama MULAN鈥� Sunday drew a large crowd, many of whom attended because of the unique depiction of the well-known story, and the representation provided by the show.

鈥淚t鈥檚 just really nice seeing my culture represented here and I think it means a lot and it鈥檚 really spreading things around to everyone,鈥� said Angela Chen, an audience member.

The Chinese dance drama鈥損roduced in part by China Arts and Entertainment Group鈥檚 cultural exchange initiative鈥搕old the story of Mulan鈥檚 strength in her pursuit of love and peace through a wordless performance.

Jiasen He, another patron of the Mulan show, said she hadn鈥檛 been to the Kennedy Center since before COVID-19 and that she鈥檇 only seen more traditional shows compared to the current performance offerings.

鈥淚 feel like it鈥檚 really diverse in terms of theater because when you think of theater you usually think of 鈥淗amilton,鈥� 鈥淪ix,鈥� stuff like that,鈥� she said. 鈥淢ulan is more about showing dialogue through movement and dance, and it鈥檚 really versatile and fluid.鈥�

As the end of D.C.Theatre Week approaches, theaters around the District and nearby suburbs offer some free performances and tickets priced at $20, $40, and $60.

鈥淭heatre Week provides a way to talk about the community in a larger sense, and to get people to go to the theater and explore, and find a theater that鈥檚 a good one for them,鈥� said Amy Austin, chief executive officer and president of 鈥搕he alliance of theatre-makers, organizations, and supporters that put on Theatre Week.聽

The Kennedy Center participated during the first part of Theatre Week with discounted tickets to 鈥淢oulin Rouge鈥� through the end of the show鈥檚 run at the center last week.

鈥淭he Kennedy Center is a really supportive partner,鈥� Austin said.

While Jennings said there鈥檚 still progress to be made, D.C. theater has come a long way in terms of diversity and access.

Outsiders may not see much of a difference, but these changes are a big deal in the theater world, she said.

鈥淭here鈥檚 been recognition of the fact that when you get a multicultural group of people in the room to do theater, there are certain things that are obvious and not so obvious about how people need to relate to one another and the kind of resources they need,鈥� Jennings said.