MISSION
Established in 2004 by Richard Henrich, Spooky Action Theater (SAT) takes its name from a phenomenon of quantum mechanics in which two particles, without ever touching, become entangled - so that a change in one is forever mirrored by change in the other. SAT’s mission is to recharge people’s intuitive and emotional core by linking artists and audiences in a shared act of imagination. SAT stages a wide variety of plays by diverse writers and cultures that demonstrate commonality in the human experience, while embracing challenging, risky and off-beat programming. In preparation for its 20th anniversary, the Spooky Action leadership team is transforming this small but mighty theater into a truly inclusive artistic home, attracting renowned local, national, and international artists in pursuit of resonant themes, bold artistic visions, and social impact.
About the Artistic Director
Elizabeth Dinkova (she/her/hers) is a Bulgarian director, adaptor, and collaborative creator who explores alternative realities at the intersection of theater, film, and music in pursuit of communal transformation. In 2021-22, she was an Associate Artistic Director of 7 Stages Theatre, Atlanta's hub for boundary-pushing international theater. She is an alum of the Alliance Theatre’s Artistic Leadership fellowship, the Studio Theatre's Artistic Apprenticeship, and a recent graduate from the MFA Directing program at the Yale School of Drama, where she served as a Co-Artistic Director of the Yale Summer Cabaret and received the Julian Milton Kaufman prize for Directing. Recent projects include the film Cracking Zeus by Christopher Hampton for the Alliance's Digital Theater Channel, the visual album TIT, inspired by Titus Andronicus and co-written with Jesse Rasmussen, at the NYC Indie Theatre Film Festival, Rage, a play with music adapted from Stephen King, at Quinnipiac University, The Seagull at Serenbe Playhouse, and the opera Orfeo ed Euridice at Bel Cantanti Opera Company. Elizabeth has taught acting, directing, devising, and musical theater at the Toronto Metropolitan University, University of California Riverside, Quinnipiac University, and Queens College CUNY.
Our History
Spooky Action Theater was founded in 2004 by actor/director Richard Henrich, who sought to offer more plays that require audiences to participate with their imaginations. When originally founded, Spooky Action utilized rental space throughout the Washington, DC and Maryland area to hold productions. In 2010, Spooky Action Theater reached an agreement with the Universalist National Memorial Church at 1810 16th Street NW to renovate the downstairs auditorium of the church and create a multipurpose performance space. Work was completed in fall 2010 and the new theater venue in the Dupont Circle neighborhood was born. The result is an affordable, flexible, user-friendly performance space in a convenient, metro-accessible location.
Over the last decade, the theater has gained recognition as a valued contributor to the DC performing arts community. Our productions are regularly reviewed and featured in The Washington Post, City Paper, and DC Theatre Arts. We have garnered a series of Helen Hayes awards and nominations, as well as steady support from donors and foundations.
In 2022, the founding artistic director retired and the Board of Directors conducted a four-month national leadership search. They hired Elizabeth Dinkova, a Bulgarian immigrant and Yale-trained director, who believes theater is a pathway for emotional connection and social change. Since she started working with Spooky Action Theater in March of 2023, she has raised SAT’s profile by engaging with other theater leaders, pursuing excellence in artistry through her local, national, and international connections, and programming works that uplift underrepresented voices from across the globe and engage diverse teams of local artists. In August ‘23, SAT signed an unprecedented 7-year lease with the UNMC ensuring its longevity in the heart of DC.
Over the last decade, the theater has gained recognition as a valued contributor to the DC performing arts community. Our productions are regularly reviewed and featured in The Washington Post, City Paper, and DC Theatre Arts. We have garnered a series of Helen Hayes awards and nominations, as well as steady support from donors and foundations.
In 2022, the founding artistic director retired and the Board of Directors conducted a four-month national leadership search. They hired Elizabeth Dinkova, a Bulgarian immigrant and Yale-trained director, who believes theater is a pathway for emotional connection and social change. Since she started working with Spooky Action Theater in March of 2023, she has raised SAT’s profile by engaging with other theater leaders, pursuing excellence in artistry through her local, national, and international connections, and programming works that uplift underrepresented voices from across the globe and engage diverse teams of local artists. In August ‘23, SAT signed an unprecedented 7-year lease with the UNMC ensuring its longevity in the heart of DC.
Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
At every level - staff, board, artists, programming - we are committed to seeking out and welcoming the participation of Black and Indigenous people, People of Color and members of the LGBTQ+ community who have been underrepresented in our organization. We are currently implementing an action plan specifically addressing these issues with achievable and time-specific goals. This is an ongoing process. We are grateful for your continued support, as we work toward becoming a more equitable, diverse and inclusive company. The Spooky Action mission is to rekindle the shared human consciousness and imagination that link artists and audience. Empathy at this deep, fundamental level is the key to our vision, and exploring a wide range of culturally diverse stories is the primary path for our artistic mission.
