Baldwin's Fire Ignites the Lincoln Theatre

Sold-out, immersive multimedia production transforms historic venue into sanctuary of sound and spirit

Feb. 27, 2026 at 6:03pm

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For one night only, the historic Lincoln Theatre on U Street in Washington, D.C. hosted the world premiere of 'Baldwin: The Fire on the Mountain, a Spiritual Love Letter to His Community' - a sold-out, immersive multimedia production that brought James Baldwin's radical vision to life through narrative, music, movement, and projection. The free event, supported by various city agencies and community organizations, drew a crowd that felt more like a congregation than an audience, as they grappled with Baldwin's enduring influence and what his 'fire' demands of us today.

Why it matters

The timing of the production carried weight, as the Mayor of Washington, D.C. had officially proclaimed the date as James Baldwin Day, anchoring the performance in citywide recognition of the writer's enduring influence on literature, civil rights, and LGBTQ history. The accessibility of the free event also shaped the evening, drawing a diverse crowd that felt more like a community than a typical theater audience.

The details

Written and produced by Lyn Dyson, founder of the Multi-Media Training Institute (MMTI), the 60-minute production blended narrative, music, movement, and projection to bring Baldwin's radical vision into sharp focus. Students from MMTI and Howard University were behind the scenes in lighting, sound, and stage management, gaining hands-on experience while helping uplift the community through art. Actor Joshua Leggett delivered a portrayal less of imitation than embodiment, anchoring the evening with intellectual ferocity and intimate vulnerability.

  • The Mayor of Washington, DC, had officially proclaimed the date as James Baldwin Day.
  • By 5:30 p.m., the sidewalk stretched down the block as the crowd filed in with the reverent energy of a congregation gathering for revival.

The players

Lyn Dyson

Founder of the Multi-Media Training Institute (MMTI), which has long empowered youth through media arts training.

Joshua Leggett

The actor who delivered a portrayal of James Baldwin that was less of imitation than embodiment, anchoring the evening with intellectual ferocity and intimate vulnerability.

Wanda Bamberg Tia

A community member who attended the event and praised the production, saying 'The play was truly amazing' and that 'Joshua Leggett is remarkably talented.'

Dr. Mustafa Santiago

One of the panelists who grappled with the question of what Baldwin's fire demands of us in 2026.

Jerome S. Paige

An economist who was one of the panelists discussing the relevance of Baldwin's work today.

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What they’re saying

“The play was truly amazing. Joshua Leggett is remarkably talented. I'm grateful this was a free event, allowing so many community members to attend.”

— Wanda Bamberg Tia, of Wanda Woman Enterprises

What’s next

The post-show panel featuring Dr. Mustafa Santiago, economist Jerome S. Paige, Ph.D., Councilmember Zachary Parker, and President Keny Hutton grappled with an urgent question: What does Baldwin's fire demand of us in 2026?

The takeaway

This production of 'Baldwin: The Fire on the Mountain' demonstrated that James Baldwin is not a figure to be safely memorialized, but a radical blueprint for navigating the present. The accessibility and community-driven nature of the event allowed Baldwin's voice to linger and resonate with the diverse audience, who left the historic Lincoln Theatre feeling a sense of homecoming.