The Atlas Performing Arts Center (“the Atlas”), the only community-based performing arts center in Washington, was created as a not-for-profit Washington D.C. corporation in November2001. Located in a historic movie theatre complex on H Street in Near Northeast D.C., a once-vibrant corridor of the city that was devastated by riots in 1968, the Atlas formally opened its doors in November 2006 after four years of renovation.

In 2003 the City adopted a plan for the revival of the corridor – anchored by the Atlas –, including the creation of an arts and entertainment zone as a method of social and economic revitalization. This landmark complex includes more than 59,000 square feet including four theatres, three dance studios, offices, dressing rooms, lobbies, cafe, production and rehearsal space.

The mission of the Atlas Performing Arts Center is to foster the artistic growth of professional and aspiring performing artists throughout the region; to energize the revitalization of H Street Northeast; to provide a unique community-centered venue for training and education in the performing arts and stagecraft; and to create a new model for collaborative theatre management.