Anna-Deavere Smith News

The Public Theater recently continued its 2016 Fall Public Forum line-up, featuring an exciting series of one-night-only events and expanded audience engagement programming to explore the ideas and themes presented on The Public Theater's stages, with a reading of Shakespeare's Coriolanus last night at Joe's Pub. BroadwayWorld has photos from the event below!

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director, Casey Reitz, Executive Director) has announced that Tony Award winner Reed Birney (The Humans) will star in the leading role of Ken Carpenter in the upcoming New York premiere production of Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Tracy Lett's 2003 play, MAN FROM NEBRASKA, directed by David Cromer. Mr. Birney has previously appeared in three Second Stage productions - The Family of Mann, Loose Knit, and Winterplay.

In cooperation with the NYU Tisch School of the Arts Center for Art & Public Policy, the Tisch Institute of Performing Arts at NYU, the Institute on the Arts and Civic Dialogue at NYU (Anna Deavere Smith, Founding Director), and Dr. Barbara Ann Teer's National Black Theatre, NOW AFRICA - a group of New York based African writers, actors, producers and community activists - will present its second annual playwrights festival, conceived to showcase and raise awareness of dramatic works by African writers.   

A world-premiere play, Among the Dead by Hansol Jung; a world-premiere musical by Michi Barall, Paul Lieber, and Matt Park, PEER GYNT & the Norwegian Hapa Band; and the special presentation of the hit play The Wong Kids in the Secret of the Space Chupacabra Go! by Lloyd Suh in Manila comprise the season to be produced by Ma-Yi Theater Company during their 2016-2017 season, it is announced by the company's Producing Artistic Director Ralph B. Peña and Executive Director Jorge Z. Ortoll. 

Hosted by best-selling author and comedian Baratunde Thurston and actress, musician and activist actress Sara Ramirez, TED Talks: Education Revolution explores new and innovative approaches to learning and teaching.

The 2016 Kesselring Prize for Playwriting - given annually by the National Arts Club to an outstanding new playwright on the verge of national recognition - will be presented this year to Lindsey Ferrentino for her play UGLY LIES THE BONE, it has been announced by the Kesselring Prize committee.

The 2016 Kesselring Prize for Playwriting - given annually by the National Arts Club to an outstanding new playwright on the verge of national recognition - will be presented this year to Lindsey Ferrentino for her play UGLY LIES THE BONE, it has been announced by the Kesselring Prize committee.

As previously announced, Maria Dizzia assumes the role of Shellie in the world premiere production of THE LAYOVER, written by Leslye Headland and directed by Trip Cullman, today, September 6. She returns to Second Stage Theatre after her acclaimed performance in the title role of Eurydice, during the company's 28th season.

Now in its seventh season, United Solo nominates seven performers for its Special Award. Since it began, the world's largest solo theatre festival has honored illustrious solo performers.

Second Stage Theatre just announced Maria Dizzia will assume the role of Shellie in the world premiere production of THE LAYOVER, written by Leslye Headland and directed by Trip Cullman, on Tuesday, September 6. She returns to Second Stage Theatre after her acclaimed performance in the title role of Eurydice, during the company's 28th season.

Yale Repertory Theatre, celebrating 50 years of daring artists, bold choices, and adventurous audiences, presents the world premiere of Scenes from Court Life, or the whipping boy and his prince by Sarah Ruhl, directed by Mark Wing-Davey, September 30-October 22 at Yale University Theatre (222 York Street). Opening Night is Thursday, October 6.

Theatre Philadelphia has announced the nominees for the 2016 Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre.

After spearheading the artistic vision and organizational growth of Philadelphia Theatre Company for thirty-five years, Executive Producing Director Sara Garonzik announced to the PTC Board of Directors that she will be leaving her position sometime during the 2016-2017 season when her successor joins the Company. She will remain in Philadelphia to pursue consulting and independent producing projects.

California Shakespeare Theater's 25th anniversary season at the Bruns Amphitheater concludes with Artistic Director Eric Ting's company debut with Shakespeare's Othello, from September 14 through October 9. For tickets and information, contact the Cal Shakes Box Office at 510.548.9666 or visit www.calshakes.org

Just announced, Second Stage Theatre's New York Premiere production of NOTES FROM THE FIELD: DOING TIME IN EDUCATION, the latest work created, written and performed by groundbreaking theatre artist Anna Deavere Smith with music composed and performed by Marcus Shelby and directed by Leonard Foglia, will open on November 2, 2016 at the Tony Kiser Theatre (305 West 43rd Street). Previews will begin on October 15.

Broadway stars and a host of musical presentations are on tap for the upcoming 2016-17 primetime television season. Included in THE LINEUP will be new series starring HAMILTON's Christopher Jackson, FROZEN's Kristen Bell and BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY star Stephen Pasquale.

Second Stage Theatre 2016 Uptown Series' production of ENGAGEMENTS officially opens for an extended run tonight, August 4th.

The performer/playwright's new piece is about how educational practices feed the prison system.

As a leader in educational media for children and students and a key partner with parents and educators across America, PBS today announced SPOTLIGHT EDUCATION, a special week of primetime programming examining the challenges facing today's students and America's education system.

Berkeley Rep today announced that Eric Ting (current artistic director of California Shakespeare Theater) will direct An Octoroon, the final show in Berkeley Rep's 2016-17 season.