# Round House and Olney stage August Wilson’s 'Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom'

> Bethesda’s Round House Theatre and Olney Theatre Center co-produced August Wilson’s 'Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom' with authentic Chicago setting.
- Title: Round House and Olney stage August Wilson’s 'Ma Rainey’s…
- Summary: Bethesda’s Round House Theatre and Olney Theatre Center co-produced August Wilson’s 'Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom' with authentic Chicago setting.
- Keywords: round house theatre, olney theatre center, august wilson, ma rainey’s black bottom, chicago, theater production, blues music, black american culture, news, local, Round, House
- Source: The Banner — https://thebanner.com/culture/theater/round-house-theatre-august-wilson-4H4VVXR2OJCFNHZNIJL3JQSQXM
- Author: Hannah Yasharoff
- Published: 2026-09-27T09:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: round house theatre, olney theatre center, august wilson, ma rainey’s black bottom, chicago, theater production, blues music, black american culture, news, local
## Round House and Olney team up
Bethesda’s Round House Theatre and Olney Theatre Center co-produced August Wilson’s 'Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom' for Montgomery County’s theater season.
## Authentic Chicago setting
Scenic designer Arnel Sancianco created a three-story set reflecting 1927 Chicago architecture with cold basement and warm upper floors.
## Band members rehearse
Band members Levee, Cutler, Toledo, and Slow Drag rehearse in the cold basement studio during the recording session.
## Ma Rainey’s power dynamics
Singer Ma Rainey holds artistic power but struggles against her label’s demands while the band members face internal conflicts.
## August Wilson’s creative process
August Wilson, the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, focused on Black American experiences through each decade of the 20th century.
## Director’s vision
Director Lili-Anne Brown emphasized ensemble work and humor to honor the characters’ lived experiences without judgment.
## Cast dynamics
The cast described their work as playing jazz, with moments of humor and improvisation to build authentic character connections.
## Show runs through Oct 18
The production runs at Round House Theatre through October 18, 2026, after five weeks of development.
## Audience impact
Audiences experience the play as a moment in time, witnessing the characters’ struggles without the barrier of a fictional narrative.
## Key takeaway

Bethesda’s Round House Theatre and Olney Theatre Center co-produced August Wilson’s 'Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom' with authentic Chicago setting.