The Workhouse Arts Center received a 2025 ArtsFairfax Operating Support Grant and a 2025 Project Support Grant to enhance its arts programs and develop community-based projects. The center hosts over 800 classes and events annually, engaging nearly 8,000 students and featuring more than 100 resident artists.

Press Release:

The Workhouse Arts Center has been awarded a 2025 ArtsFairfax Operating Support Grant to further its mission to support a vibrant arts center that offers a unique combination of visual and performing arts, arts education, historical perspective, and community engagement. In addition, the Workhouse has been awarded a 2025 Project Support Grant to continue developing innovative, new community-based projects. The center is among 58 Operating Support Grant and 12 Project Support Grant recipients based in Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax, and the City of Falls Church.

“We are so grateful to have the support of our incredible partners at Fairfax County and ArtsFairfax, who have long been supporters of the Workhouse Arts Center,” said Keith Gordon, President and CEO of the Workhouse Arts Foundation. “These two grants represent an important commitment, investment, and a belief in the transformative power of the arts from our County leadership.”

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Workhouse Haunt is back for its 11th season, delivering spine-chilling thrills with a twisted take on classic fairy tales. Running every weekend from October 4 to November 2, this haunted trail through the historic Workhouse prison will transport guests into reimagined, terrifying versions of Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, and more. With pre- and post-trail festivities, including food trucks, Halloween art, and DJ music, it's a must-see for thrill-seekers.

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The Workhouse Haunt returns for its 11th season, featuring the theme "Twisted Tales of Terror" with a creepy outdoor trail and live-action scenes of classic fairy tales gone wrong. Running from October 4 to November 2, the event includes Halloween-themed entertainment, food, and drinks, with tickets starting at $25 per person and special sensory-friendly trail times on October 20.

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The Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton announced its 2024-2025 theater season, featuring a lineup of musicals and comedies. The season begins with “Dracula, A Comedy of Terrors” from September 6 to October 27, followed by “Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame” from December 7 to January 12, 2025. “Clyde’s” will run from March 8 to April 6, and “Jesus Christ Superstar” will be performed from May 10 to June 15. Shows will be held on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 and 4 p.m. Tickets are available for $25 to $40 on the Workhouse Arts Center’s website.

Press release:

Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors
By Steve Rosen and Gordon Greenberg
Loosely based on the novel Dracula by Bram Stoker
September 6 – October 27
September: Fridays and Saturdays, 8 pm; Sundays, 2 pm
October: Fridays and Saturdays, 8 pm; Sundays, 4 pm
Special October Twilight Performances: Dracula show combined with admission to our haunted trail that same evening. See website for details.

Synopsis: Filled with clever wordplay and pop culture references, Dracula is a gender-bending, laugh-out-loud reimagining of the gothic classic. In the treacherous mountains of Transylvania, a meek English real estate agent takes a harrowing journey to meet a new and mysterious client, the most terrifying and ferocious monster the world has ever known: Count Dracula! Famed female vampire hunter, Jean Van Helsing, and company chase Drac from Transylvania to the British countryside to London and back.

Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, Book by Peter Parnell
December 7, 2024 – January 12, 2025
Fridays and Saturdays, 8 pm; Sundays, 2 pm
Special Performance on Tuesday, December 31 with New Year’s Eve Post Show Party

Synopsis: The Hunchback of Notre Dame is based on the Victor Hugo novel with songs from the Disney animated feature. Set in fifteenth-century Paris, the musical tells the story of Quasimodo, the deformed bell-ringer who longs to be in the outside world. Held captive by his devious caretaker, the archdeacon Dom Claude Frollo, he escapes for the day, only to be treated cruelly by all but the beautiful Romani woman, Esmeralda. Quasimodo isn’t the only one captivated by her free spirit, though – the handsome Captain Phoebus and Frollo are equally enthralled. As the three vie for her attention, Frollo embarks on a mission to destroy the Roma – and it’s up to Quasimodo to save them all.

Clyde’s
By Lynne Nottage
March 8 – April 6
Fridays and Saturdays, 8 pm; Sundays, 2 pm

Synopsis: Clyde’s, a truck stop sandwich shop offers its formerly incarcerated kitchen staff a shot at redemption. Even as the shop’s callous owner tries to keep them down, the staff members learn to reclaim their lives, find purpose, and become inspired to dream by their shared quest to create the perfect sandwich.

Jesus Christ Superstar
Lyrics by Time Rice, Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
May 10 – June 15
Fridays and Saturdays, 8 pm; Sundays, 2 pm

Synopsis: Jesus Christ Superstar has wowed audiences for over 50 years. The rock opera is loosely based on the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, and follows the last week of Jesus Christ’s life. The story, told entirely through song, explores the personal relationships and struggles between Jesus, Judas, Mary Magdalene, his disciples, his followers, and the Roman Empire.

Workhouse Arts Center: “The Workhouse Arts Center is excited to announce the return of a Northern Virginia Halloween season favorite, the Workhouse Haunt, a scare-inducing outdoor haunted trail.”

“This year’s event, titled Haunt: Game Over, marks the 10th season of the haunted trail at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton. Haunt will run on weekends from Friday, Oct. 6 through Saturday, Oct. 28. A sneak-preview night is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 30, featuring complimentary and discounted tickets for first responders, veterans, active military, teachers, and health-care workers.”

“Haunt will also perform on Halloween night, Tuesday, Oct. 31. Each Friday and Saturday night, live bands will perform in the Rizer Pavilion on the Workhouse campus.”

The campus can be found at 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton.

“Music entertainment is free; no entrance fee is required to attend the performances. Food trucks, soft drinks, beer, wine, and themed-specialty drinks will be available for purchase on site.”

“Tickets for the haunted trail go on sale at noon on Aug. 25, and prices start at $30 per person. Visit www.workhousearts.org for schedule and event details.”

“Guests will travel in small groups for a frightening experience that brings them next to the site’s abandoned, historic buildings where they will encounter characters and sights.”

“The gates open at 6:30 p.m. most evenings, with the first groups dispatched to the Haunted Trail at 7 p.m. Closing time will vary by event night; please see ticketing web page for the complete schedule. Tickets are being sold by a timed-entry basis to allow guests to reserve the time that they would like to experience the haunted trail and to reduce long wait times at the event.”

“Advance online ticket purchase is highly recommended due to the event historically reaching sold-out capacity.”

Haunt: Game Over 2023 Schedule:

• Fridays – Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.
• Saturdays – Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.
• Sundays – Oct. 8, 15, 22, 29 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
• Tuesday – Halloween, Oct. 31 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.

“InsideNoVa is the media sponsor for this year’s Haunt, and tickets for the Haunt Preview Night can be purchased directly from their website.”

“This year Workhouse has partnered again with the Lorton Community Action Center to encourage guests to give back to the community by donating food and other items when they attend the Haunt. A drop off location will be available on the Haunt site.”

Workhouse Arts Center: “The Workhouse Arts Center will present a pre-Independence fireworks event Saturday, July 1 from 6-10 p.m. on its Lorton 55-acre campus.”

The campus can be found at 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton.

“The event includes the fireworks display (beginning at dark, approximately 9:15 p.m.), live music, free access to galleries, artist studios and museum; food and beverages are available for purchase.”

“Entrance is free; parking is $40 per vehicle. VIP tickets are available for $120 and includes private reception, food, wine tasting and reserved seating for the fireworks show.”

“One of the region’s largest pre-Independence Day Fireworks show celebrates the history of this amazing nation and honors the courage and sacrifice that have made America a beacon of hope and freedom around the world.”

“This year, The Radio Sparks band will take center stage in the Rizer Pavilion with a concert featuring the greatest hits from the 60’s through today. DJ Sha The Goddess will bring energy, excitement, and entertainment before the concert and will spin tunes during the big fireworks show after dark.”

More information about general admission and VIP tickets can be found online.

Workhouse Arts Center: “The Workhouse Arts Foundation, Inc. (WAF), which operates the Workhouse Arts Center, announced today that it has named Rachel Kizielewicz as its new Interim President and Chief Executive Officer. Kizielewicz, an experienced executive, artist, and strong supporter of the Workhouse, officially began her role on Monday, June 5th.”

“Rachel Kizielewicz comes to the Workhouse as an artist, with 20 years of experience in philanthropy and the nonprofit sector. Rachel first joined the Workhouse as a member of the Board of Directors. She steps into the role of Interim President and CEO with a love for the organization and a deep commitment to its future. Believing in the Workhouse’s ability to be a thriving, vibrant arts center, Rachel understands the important roles that each group of stakeholders plays in the Workhouse Arts Center’s success.”

The Workhouse Arts Center announces BrewWorks, an outdoor beer, wine, and spirit tastings festival, on May 20.

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The Workhouse Arts Center announces BrewWorks, an outdoor beer, wine, and spirit tastings festival, on May 20.

In addition to sampling microbrews, wine, and spirits, participants can enjoy food and lawn games while listening to local bands throughout the day.

A variety of food trucks will be on campus for the duration of the event. During the festival, the art galleries, artist studios, gift shops, and Lucy Burns Museum will be open.

This year’s event will showcase approximately 15 local breweries, three wineries, and two-spirit distilleries. While the details are still being finalized, the anticipated participating vendors include:

• Bunnyman Brewing
• Ono Brewing Company
• Settle Down Easy Brewing Co.
• Väsen Brewing Company
• Fair Winds Brewing Company
• Mustang Sally Brewing Company
• Buskey Cider

General Admission tickets are $40; Premium Admission tickets $75. Designated Driver and Child Admission tickets are available.

The Workhouse Arts Center sits at 9518 Workhouse Way in Lorton.