An Arlington-based inclusive theater troupe is about to bring its latest creation to life.
“Rooted in Unity” will be among two productions presented by ArtStream’s local theater companies during performances this weekend at the James Lee Community Center in Falls Church.
It is the brainchild of ArtStream’s Virginia Company A, which rehearses once a week at Arlington Presbyterian Church. Members of the troupe, comprised of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, have been working on the project for six months.
“It’s very community-driven,” director Mark Mumm said of the development process.
Mumm and members of Virginia Company A were on stage rehearsing the show the evening of April 7. ArtStream’s spring performances will take place today (Friday) at 7 p.m. and tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. at James Lee Community Center, 2855 Annandale Road in Falls Church.
Tickets are by donation ($10 minimum suggested) and should be purchased in advance as the shows are likely to sell out.
The plot of “Rooted in Unity” revolves around a group of three entrepreneurial individuals who summon a scientist — “Dr. Scruples” — to investigate an odd tree in their midst. She discovers that the tree is home to various creatures who help each other, and the tree itself, in inclusive living.
Among those in the cast is Siobhan Murphy, who portrays Raven, an Irish witch.
“She’s strong, independent and very, very smart,” Murphy said of her character, which she helped to develop.
Growing up in a family with a theater and music background, Murphy said she enjoys the camaraderie of working with other actors and production staff.
“They are really nice and keep me safe,” she told ARLnow. “I have a million friends here.”
Director Mumm said the troupe lost several weeks of in-person rehearsals owing to winter weather, but was able to pivot to online gatherings temporarily.
Hayley Cutler, who is producing the shows and serves as ArtStream’s associate artistic director, said ideas for the annual spring shows come from the participants.
“It’s all based on the actors’ imaginations and their interests,” she said. “They create these sorts of fantastical worlds.”
Despite the inevitable chaos that comes with getting any theater performance ready for the stage, Cutler said that when the curtain goes up, everything is ready to go.
“Somehow, it all comes together,” she said.
ArtStream was founded in Maryland in 2005 to provide creative outlets for adults with intellectual and developmental challenges. It later expanded to Northern Virginia and is adding operations in D.C. next month.
Northern Virginia productions have been held at a number of venues over the years, including shows at Synetic Theater, Gunston Arts Center and H-B Woodlawn Secondary Program in Arlington and the Nannie Lee Community Center in Alexandria.
For 2026, the James Lee Center, operated by the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services, is hosting.
“It has been great here,” Cutler said. “We’d love to have a permanent home here.”
The organization’s spring 2020 Northern Virginia shows were canceled for the pandemic. A year later, ArtStream presented online performances with a special screening at an Alexandria drive-in theater.
When the pandemic ebbed, in-person shows resumed.
As Company A rehearsed onstage Tuesday evening, ArtStream’s Virginia Company B was downstairs getting ready for its show, “The Great Put-Together.”
It is a lighthearted romp combining the Wild West, medieval England, “The Sopranos” and rock-and-roll, with characters ranging from Annie Oakley to King Arthur.
Chloe Jane Peren, assistant director of that show, said the experience of bringing it to life and working with the cast has been exciting.
“I never know what I am going to learn when I walk into the space,” she said. “Even as we are teaching the actors, they really guide us and teach us.”
Company B meets at Serve Source in Oakton. Among those in the cast is Jack Abdo, who is portraying Irish-dance choreographer Michael Flatley.
It is his third show with ArtStream, and Abdo said he enjoys a “very good” relationship with the rest of the cast. Plus, he has a helpful trait for those on the stage.
“I never get nervous,” Abdo told ARLnow.
