Source Blackbox Theatre

In October 2006, CulturalDC purchased the Source Theatre with the goal of redeveloping it into a multi-use performing arts facility. The 150-seat black box quickly became an essential resource for small and mid-sized arts organizations, valued for its intimate, flexible, and affordable design. Following a $3.5 million renovation that began in early 2008, the building also included a classroom, a rehearsal studio, and administrative offices.

From 2008 through 2017, Source was home to the annual Source Festival, a platform for new plays showcasing emerging playwrights, directors, and performers. Beyond the festival, Source housed three resident companies—Constellation Theatre Company, IN Series, and Washington Improv Theater—along with other artists and organizations that maintained offices on the second floor.

On August 5, 2025, CulturalDC completed the sale of Source to a qualified buyer for $4.5 million. Listed in October 2024, the property was sold through a competitive process that prioritized nonprofit bids in the interest of sustaining the space for Washington’s arts community. For more than 25 years, Source played a significant role in the city’s performing arts ecosystem, serving as a creative home for countless artists and organizations and contributing to the vibrancy of 14th Street and beyond.