Logan Circle in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Treading the Boards
A Fitting Tribute
— Logan Circle Heritage Trail —
The Studio Theatre, on the corner of 14th and P Streets since 1987, anchors the Logan Circle/14th Street artistic community. The theatre, founded by director and educator Joy Zinoman and set designer Russell Metheny in 1978, originally rented space in wood sculptor Margery Goldberg's Zenith Square Gallery complex of rowhouses nearby on Rhode Island Avenue. An array of artists worked (and sometimes lived) at Zenith, finding inspiration among their peers until the city forced them out in 1986, citing zoning violations. But Studio Theatre had left six years earlier for affordable space in a former car dealership nearby at 1401 Church Street. Another showroom, across 14th Street from this sign, was the first of three adjoining buildings renovated by the theater.
In 1980 the pioneering Source Theatre, founded by Bart Whiteman three years earlier, moved into a former auto supply store at 1809 14th. A few years later Source took over a one-time Oldsmobile showroom at 1835.
Although Washington never had the manufacturing activity of other cities, it developed a stock of industrial spaces. Here they came in the form of auto showrooms and service shops as well as printing shops and other light industry. By the 1970s, with the car showrooms long gone, these spacious, affordable buildings beckoned. Among the institutions that took root here are Woolly Mammoth, Horizons, Church Street and Keegan theaters as well as art galleries. Over time these blocks grew into an important arts district, and its risk-taking theaters gained renown in the regional theatre movement.
To return to the Metro Red line, walk one block north on Q Street and turn left. The Dupont Circle Station is six blocks west on Q Street.
Erected 2012 by Cultural Tourism DC. (Marker Number 15.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Logan Circle Heritage Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1987.
Location. 38° 54.576′ N, 77° 1.912′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Logan Circle. Marker is at the intersection of 14th Street Northwest and P Street Northwest when traveling north on 14th Street Northwest. In front of Lalibela Ethiopian Restaurant. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1415 14th Street Northwest, Washington DC 20005, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. It Takes a Village (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Automobile Row (about 300 feet away); When Logan Rode The Battle Line
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 2, 2017
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 545 times since then and 16 times this year. Last updated on March 8, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1. submitted on January 19, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 2. submitted on December 2, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on January 19, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.