At the Black Box Theatre and Indian Head Center for the Arts, you’ll find both a community educational center and a venue for plays, musical performances, and plenty of other events. This special center for the arts hosts events year-round in a unique and intimate setting. They’re managed by the nonprofit organization Chesapeake Bay Floating Theatre, Inc. and are dedicated to the cultural advancement of the Indian Head area through arts, education, and entertainment. This shows in their many events and programs offered throughout the year.

Black Box Theatre

The theater itself houses 90 seats and 450 square feet of stage space. Here, they host an array of performing-arts programs like plays, recitals, literary readings, musical performances, theater workshops, and seminars.

Indian Head Center for the Arts

Their center is a great community space where people can gather, connect, perform, and celebrate the arts. This center recently gained a newly renovated space, creating a great multi-purpose space for the community. The space was doubled in this renovation, allowing for many more opportunities for use.

Getting there

Address: 4185 Indian Head Highway, Indian Head, Maryland

 

Located in Indian Head, this center is truly a hidden treasure in Charles County. It’s about a half hour south of Washington, DC, and coming from this direction, you can take Indian Head Hwy south (Rt 210) all the way to Indian Head, connecting to I495 just east of the Wilson Bridge. The center will be on your left just after Indian Head Town Hall. From La Plata to the east, you can take 225 to Indian Head Hwy, turn left on Indian Head Hwy, and they’ll be on the left just after Indian Head Town Hall. They have a parking area in the back of the building.

History

The Indian Head Center for the Arts and its Black Box Theater was first started in the early 90s by Spike Parrish, whose dream was to create a theater barge that would sail the waters of the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay. He called it the Chesapeake Bay Floating Theater and gave the town of Indian Head a 20-year lease for the theater’s temporary land-bound home. Rather than sailing the seas, his theater came to be the Black Box Theater remaining in Indian Head. He advocated for and encouraged the theater until his passing in 2014.

Programs

Recently, the center introduced a new Children’s Theater Initiative with A Ton of Fun Theater and the support of the Charles County Charitable Trust, which has allowed them to offer all kinds of kids programs. One such is their Kidventure Summer camps for ages 5-16, where campers learn the fundamentals of theatre arts and experience acting, directing, writing, and designing. Each camp concludes with a presentation for family and friends to enjoy. They also offer Homeschool Theater programs, acting classes, workshops, and their Acting for Destination Imagination program.

Upcoming Events

A Night of Jazz with Energico Jazz Band

When: January 19, 2019 | 7-9:30PM

Cost: $30

 

This January, you can join the Black Box Theatre for their Night of Jazz with Energico Jazz Band event. They’ll have light refreshments, a silent auction, and, of course, smooth jazz to enjoy. It’s for a good cause, with proceeds supporting Empact Ministries Outreach Program.

Ms. Story’s Living History

When: February 1-2, 2019 at 8PM | February 3, 2019 at 3PM

Cost: Adults – $15 | Seniors/Military/Students – $12 | Children 13 and under – $9

 

In February of 2019, you can catch a performance of Ms. Story’s Living History, starring Shemika Berry. This show is centered on the history of fascinating women whose impacts and power are still felt today.

Movie Nights

When: Check website for updates

Cost: $5 donation includes soda/water and chips

 

The Black Box Theatre occasionally hosts movie nights with themes like Throwback Thursday, Military Movie Nights, and Family Nights. Check their website for updates and upcoming movie nights to attend!

 

 

The Black Box Theatre and the Indian Head Center for the Arts is truly a gem in Southern Maryland. It’s a community-centric place where locals can enjoy a variety of arts events and programs. Their space is also available to rent for your next event, from presentations and business meetings to fundraisers and concerts, so don’t hesitate to reach out online if you’re looking for a great location.