Carl Sandburg News

National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Jane Chu has approved more than $82 million to fund local arts projects across the country in the NEA's second major funding announcement for fiscal year 2017. Included in this announcement is an Art Works award of $20,000 to the Sarasota Opera in support of the commissioning and world premiere of Rootabaga Country, a new opera by composer by Rachel J. Peters which will mark the company's 6th world premiere. The NEA received 1,728 Art Works applications and will make 1,029 grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000.

Summer breaks are a special time for performing arts students in college as we venture out to various regional theaters across the country to gain precious professional experiences. Last summer, I was lucky enough to be a part of the apprentice company at Flat Rock Playhouse in North Carolina, where I joined the Equity Membership Candidate Program and performed in the 2 main stage shows among other duties as an apprentice. I was surrounded by an amazing group of apprentices and actors and had an absolute blast! I've been asked back to be a second year apprentice this summer and have decided to document the 3 months through video blogs.

Broadway In Chicago is pleased to announce the twenty-four students nominated for Best Actor and Best Actress, and nominees for Best Production, Best Direction and the Grosh Award for Best Scenic Design for the sixth annual Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards.

Broadway In Chicago has announced that the sixth annual Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards will feature a workshop led by Adam Jacobs, star of Disney's Aladdin North American tour, who originated the title role in Aladdin on Broadway, along with his wife Kelly Jacobs, who previously performed in Chicago in the Mary Poppins North American tour.

Philadelphia Orchestra Music Director Yannick Nezet-Seguin and President and CEO Allison Vulgamore today released The Philadelphia Orchestra's 2017-18 season. Nezet-Seguin begins his sixth season in Philadelphia with a commitment to lead the world-renowned ensemble through at least 2025-26, continuing a relationship between music director and musicians that has garnered praise around the globe.

Sarasota Opera announced its 2017/18 Fall and Winter Festival Season today at a press conference held on the Sarasota Opera House main stage in Sarasota, FL. The event was overseen by Maestro Victor DeRenzi, artistic director and principal conductor, and Richard Russell, Executive Director.

Gaudete Brass celebrates one of America's most popular and highly honored living composers on its new album, 'sevenfive-The John Corigliano Effect,' featuring music by Corigliano and his protégés, including world-premiere recordings of Corigliano's only works scored exclusively for brass.

New Ohio Theatre will present a remounting of George & Co.'s 'Holden,' directed by Anisa George and written by Anisa George in collaboration with the ensemble. Originally developed at the 2015 Ice Factory Festival, 'Holden' will be performed from January 5th to January 14th. Broadwayworld.com had the opportunity to interview Anisa George.

Mirror Visions Ensemble (MVE) celebrates its 25th anniversary on Monday, January 16 at 8:00 p.m. at the Loreto Theater at the Sheen Center for Thought and Culture with a concert entitled Reflections and Projections: 25 Years of Mirror Visions.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) joins forces with Chicago Youth Shakespeare (CYS) to engage 350 high school students from 40 public, private and parochial schools across the region in the first annual Battle of the Bard (BOTB)-inaugurated as part of the yearlong Shakespeare 400 Chicago.

Mirror Visions Ensemble (MVE) today announces concerts and programming for its 25th anniversary season.

After a nationwide search, Sarasota Opera is proud to announce that composer/librettist Rachel J. Peters has been commissioned to compose Sarasota Youth Opera's next world premiere. Ms. Peter's opera, Rootabaga Country, which is being written now and will have its premiere in November 2017, was selected over 12 other submissions. This will be the sixth opera commissioned by the Sarasota Youth Opera program.

After a nationwide search, Sarasota Opera is proud to announce that composer/librettist Rachel J. Peters has been commissioned to compose Sarasota Youth Opera's next world premiere. Ms. Peter's opera, Rootabaga Country, which is being written now and will have its premiere in November 2017, was selected over 12 other submissions. This will be the sixth opera commissioned by the Sarasota Youth Opera program.

Flat Rock Playhouse, in conjunction with its education program Studio 52, is proud to present this year's Apprentice Showcase Music on the Rock Jr.: The Music of the Movies for one night only on August 8th!

Look out Connemara, there's a new kid in town. Two new kids to be exact! In celebration of the 2016 Centennial of the National Park Service, Flat Rock Playhouse announced today plans to debut two original works to be performed by the Flat Rock Playhouse 2016 Apprentice Company during the Sandburg Summer Stage series:  Spink, Skabootch and Swipes in Rootabaga Country, written and directed by Flat Rock Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Lisa K. Bryant and Carl Sandburg's Rootabaga Express, with book, music, lyrics and direction by Flat Rock Playhouse 2016 Apprentice Director Ethan Andersen.

In celebration of outstanding achievement in high school musical theater performances, Broadway In Chicago is thrilled to announce the award recipients of the Fifth Annual Illinois High School Musical Theater Awards: Jack Cahill-Lemme of Park Ridge, IL (Main South High School) as BEST ACTOR for his portrayal of Edward Bloom in BIG FISH and Cecilia Trippiedi of Orland Park, IL (Carl Sandburg High School) as BEST ACTRESS for her portrayal of Eliza Doolittle in MY FAIR LADY. Jack and Cecilia will represent the state of Illinois at The Jimmy Awards in New York on June 27, 2016.

In celebration of outstanding achievement in high school musical theater performances, Broadway In Chicago is thrilled to announce the award recipients of the Fifth Annual Illinois High School Musical Theater Awards: Jack Cahill-Lemme of Park Ridge, IL (Main South High School) as BEST ACTOR for his portrayal of Edward Bloom in BIG FISH and Cecilia Trippiedi of Orland Park, IL (Carl Sandburg High School) as BEST ACTRESS for her portrayal of Eliza Doolittle in MY FAIR LADY. Jack and Cecilia will represent the state of Illinois at The Jimmy Awards in New York on June 27, 2016.

Broadway In Chicago has announced the 24 finalists and nominations for Best Production and Grosh Award for Best Scenic Design for the fifth annual Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards.

Music Director Michael Tilson Thomas (MTT) and the San Francisco Symphony (SFS) today announce their 2016-17 season.

Articulit Readers Theatre presents an afternoon of tea and poetry on Friday, February 5, at 1 pm, at High Tea with Gerri, 144 Old McHenry Road in Long Grove.