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The Source Theatre Board of Directors Chair, Peggy O'Brien, announced on February 8, 2006, the sale of the theater building at 1835 14th Street, NW.  The 28-year-old theater, which has been at the 14th Street location since 1982, was one of Washington's first small professional theaters.

When Source was founded in 1977, there were far fewer theaters in Washington, especially in neighborhoods away from the traditional downtown area.  Source's venture into what had been the once vibrant 14th Street African American neighborhood, home to Duke Ellington, helped Washington to begin the expansion that eventually led the City to become a true theater town ­ all around town.   Its name ­ Source ­ reflected the fact that it was a theater where many Washington actors, playwrights and directors were able to get their start.  Source also birthed the award-winning and highly-celebrated Washington Theatre Festival.

During the last decade, however, Source has never been without financial struggle. Despite efforts by the foundation community and "Renewing The Source," a comprehensive effort undertaken in 1999, the theater was forced to cease producing a full season in 2002. Source's accumulated debt by the time of the sale was considerable.

Once its financial obligations are settled, the Directors of Source plan to use the proceeds of the sale to continue Source¹s mission to create opportunity for theater artists and invigorate theater across the City.

According to O'Brien, "The vision of Source has always been greater than one theater.  The Directors of Source will work with the Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington and others in the philanthropic community to ensure that the money raised by the sale of the theater will truly impact theater in Washington and embody the values of the people who founded and supported
Source for this last quarter century." 

Specifics of these plans will be announced as soon as possible.

In the 28 years since its founding as a storefront experimental theater by Bart Whiteman, and throughout the stewardship of Producing Artistic Director Emeritus Pat Murphy Sheehy, Source has lived up to its name. 

"We have enabled well over a thousand new plays to get on their feet and into actor's mouths ­ and allowed playwrights to see their work performed in front of an audience," said Joe Banno, Artistic Director of Source. "That is a terrific laboratory for young playwrights and directors. And it has been a well-spring for young actors. We can be proud of Source colleagues who have gone on to form their own companies and to contribute to other theaters as artistic directors and managers."

Many important figures in Washington's theater community got their start at Source.

The Washington Theatre Festival started at Source in 1981. One of the Festival's most popular events, the energetic and unique 10-Minute Play Competition, just celebrated its 20th anniversary. 

Keith Parker, Festival Director and Literary Manager, looked back on those decades.

"I could list countless actors, playwrights, and directors who made significant contributions to the Festival in their earliest years or as returning artists. The Festival has been a means both for new talent to come forth as well as for veterans to wear different hats. We have seen actors direct,
playwrights act, and directors write," said Parker.

The Source property has been sold to DC-based Bedrock Management Company, which will open the Standard Bar & Grill, named for a business that had been at that address for many years. Bedrock will create a neighborhood gathering spot that plans to celebrate the history of Auto Row and 14th Street in the Standard's design and décor.

The Standard will work with Mid City Artists and other arts groups and provide gallery space to local artists.

Read additional coverage of the closing of Source Theatre:

• Debt-Ridden Source Theatre Closes, Plans to Sell Building - The Washington Post
• Curtains - Washington City Paper