FIREHOUSE MAINSTAGE

Developmental premiere

out the mud

Written BY kristen adele calhoun*

DIRECTED BY chuck mike

*recipient of the John Mitchell, Jr. Commission, Premiering 2027

Juneteenth 1865, a newly freed couple stands at a crossroads: leave the only land they've ever known to forge an uncertain future, or remain on the plantation to work for the very family that once claimed ownership over their lives. Inspired by the Slave Narratives from the Federal Writers’ Project, Out the Mud weaves humor and heart into a powerful story about love, legacy, and the pull of freedom.

Pay-What-You-Will Previews: March 11th and 12th
Opening Night: Friday, March 13th
Final Performance: Sunday, March 29th

This play's development was supported by a commission from the Alcove New Play Development Program, Lucille Lortel Theater, New York City. Caridad Svich, Artistic Director.

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FIREHOUSE fringe

FIREHOUSE FRINGE & TIMAGINATORIUM

Penelope

Music and Lyrics by Alex Bechtel

Book by Alex Bechtel, Grace Mclean, and Eva Steinmetz

DIRECTED BY Todd labelee

Based on writings in The Odyssey by Homer

The musical centers on Penelope, who is waiting for her husband Odysseus to come home from a decade-long war. 

Penelope confides in the audience about her struggles with the numerous suitors, her loneliness, and the emotional toll of waiting. Enjoy this one-woman musical featuring Rachel Rose Gilmour!

Pay-What-You-Will Previews: January 29th
Opening Night: Friday, January 30th
Final Performance: Sunday, February 8th

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The john mitchell jr. project

The Firehouse Theatre, in collaboration with the Virginia Museum of History and Culture and the Richmond Planet Foundation, has commissioned playwright Kristen Adele Calhoun to dramatize the life and times of John Mitchell Jr., the “fighting editor” of The Richmond Planet Newspaper. The John Mitchell Jr. Project serves as a pilot for ongoing partnership between Firehouse Theatre and the Virginia Museum of History and Culture to dramatize untold stories from Virginia's history. Project strategy and marketing will be provided by BROWNBAYLOR™.

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2025/26 Firehouse Mainstage Season

upcoming events

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  • A Dynamic Duo: Georgia Rogers Farmer and Katrinah Carol Lewis

    Jan 25 @ 7:30p

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  • Penelope

    Jan 29 - Feb 8

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  • Safety - Pop Up Premiere

    Feb 13 -14

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  • Blood From A Turnip - Firehouse Fringe

    Feb 15 @ 7:30p

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  • Matt Venuti In Concert - Firehouse Fringe

    Feb 20 & 21 @ 7:30p

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  • Tommy and Saundra O’Sullivan: Firehouse Fringe

    Feb 28 @ 7:30p

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  • Bridge 9 Comedy - Firehouse Fringe

    Mar 4 @ 7:30p

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  • So Unusual: A Cyndi Lauper Tribute Show - FIREHOUSE FRINGE

    Mar 19 @ 7:30p

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