Category: Northern Virginia

Wolf Trap Early history tells that in 16th century wolves were prevalent in what is today’s Wolf Trap which compromised the safety of the community. Thus, to deal with the danger, rewards were granted for those who could trap those fierce creatures. A parcel of land in this region was purchased by Wolf Trap’s Founder, Catherine Filene Shouse who chose to preserve the name Wolf Trap. She developed the property into a farm intending to give her children solitude away from their home close to nature. Mrs. Shouse later on donated the farm to the country with her intention to have the property preserved as a park. That donation marked the birth of the nation’s first and only national park for the

performing arts. What was once an agricultural farm now houses Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts commonly known as Wolf Trap. It is a performing arts center that features both cultural richness and natural resources. It organizes various elements of the performing arts staged in multiple venues. While it showcases talents on pop music, opera, dance and theater, it also provides education on arts for different ages – from young children to adults. Wolf Trap’s venues include Filene Center, The Barns at Wolf Trap, Theater-in-the- Woods and the Center for Education. Filene Center is an outdoor performance amphitheater with both covered and uncovered seating that can hold over 7,000 people.  It hosts almost 100 performances covering different genre annually from May to September. Behind the Filene Center, at 1551 Trap Road stands the Theater-in-the- Woods situated in the middle of wooded and shady acres. If offers children-friendly performances covering music, storytelling, dance, puppetry and theater. The Barns at Wolf Trap is a casual indoor performance space inspired by the acoustical quality of the wooden barn Mrs. Shouse once visited for a concert. It seats almost 400 persons and provides cozy an ambiance ideal for jazz, folk and chamber music. Home to Wolf Traps education programs, the Center for Education offers a state-of-the art nonprofit resource center for artists, learners and educators. Wolf Trap established the acclaimed Wolf Trap Opera Company in 1971 and is housed in the Center for Education. It is now recognized as one of the country’s highly respected companies in the operatic industry where professionals emerge and get careers at major opera houses. For more information or to set up an appointment call Stuart at (703)765-0300.