Gala Hispanic Theatre was born, in 1976, out of Teatro Doble, then the only theater in the DC area catering to Spanish-speaking audiences. The mission of Gala Hispanic Theatre is twofold: To bring Hispanic and Latino plays to Spanish-speaking members of the DC-area community, and to bring the English-speaking population awareness of the rich offerings of Hispanic theater. In addition to enhancing the theater-going experiences of DMV residents, Gala Hispanic Theatre offers dedicated bilingual educational programs to DC-area youth, including a free after-school program for youth 12-18. These programs help enhance language skills and literacy, improve self-esteem, and strengthen cultural identity and knowledge of other cultures.