Not so long ago all serious theater seemed to reside in the District ? then Northern Virginia took off. Gunston Arts Center is a converted elementary school that the county government has turned over to artists. On any given evening, play rehearsals, dance recitals and other artistic events happen in classrooms, on stages and even in hallways.

Gunston is where new Northern Virginia theater companies can produce their first plays. Signature Theatre and Washington Shakespeare Company started here. Who knows who will be next? The former library has become a small black-box theater where new professional theater companies flex their artistic muscles. Great works have been performed here, as have some real turkeys. Check reviews to avoid unpleasant surprises.