Debbie Allen News

Segerstrom Center for the Arts has announced the faculty for its American Ballet Theatre William J. Gillespie School that begins its full 36-week school year on September 14, 2015 and runs through June 11, 2016. The Center has added classes to accommodate the growing enrollment.

The Shubert Organization and Career Transition For Dancers along with the host committee: Andy Blankenbuehler, Graciela Daniele, Mercedes Ellington, Donna McKechnie, Jerry Mitchell, & Chita Rivera welcomed The Broadway Dance Community for a Buffet Dinner & Between-Shows-Get-Together at Sardi's, Eugenia Room (234 West 44th Street) on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 (5:00pm-7:00pm).  This event is generously underwritten by The Shubert Organization.  Past client Andy Blankenbuehler (award-winning choreographer of the hit musical 'Hamilton') addressed the group on his relation with the organziation and how beneficial they have been for him and thousands of others.

ABC continues its commitment to great storytelling with the announcement of its 2015-16 slate of programming, including the addition of 10 new series. Paul Lee, president, ABC Entertainment Group, will unveil the network's new lineup to the advertising and media communities this afternoon at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall.

Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts (The Wallis -- Tania Camargo, Managing Director; Patricia Wolff, Interim Artistic Director; James D'Asaro, Interim Producing Director) announce Artistic Advisors and programming for the 2015-2016 Season, opening October 1-3 with Twyla Tharp: a 50th Anniversary Celebration, a program of new work by Ms. Tharp, co-commissioned by The Wallis (in partnership with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The Joyce Theatre, Ravina Festival Association & Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University and Texas International Theatrical Arts Society).

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater announces Tony Award winner Phylicia Rashad will join Event Chair and Arena Stage Board member Shawna Watley (Senior Policy Advisor with Holland & Knight) as the Honorary Chair for The Blood Quilt World Premiere Celebration tonight, May 7, 2015. The new play by Katori Hall (The Mountaintop, Our Lady of Kibeho) is directed by Kamilah Forbes and runs now through June 7, 2015 in the Kreeger Theater.

'Immediate Family,' a biting new comedy written by Paul Oakley Stovall and directed by Phylicia Rashad, opened at the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum on Sunday, May 3. Performances continue through June 7, 2015. BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening festivities below!

ROLEX presents Career Transition For Dancers' 30TH ANNIVERSARY PEARL JUBILEE: A STAR-STUDDED RETROSPECTIVE on Monday, September 28, at 7:00 pm at New York City Center, 131 West 55 Street (btwn. 6  & 7  Aves) NYC followed by "Supper With The Stars" at The Grand Ballroom at The Hilton New York. The 2015 Rolex Dance Award reciepent is Shirley MacLaine.

Ashley Argota (ABC Family's 'The Fosters') will take over the role of Juliet in Rockwell Table and Stage's production of ROMEO & JULIET: LOVE IS A BATTLEFIELD.

Spoiler Alert! If you attend Avenue Q, you will find yourself at one of the most creative productions of the theatrical season. Avenue Q opened on Friday April 17 at the Barn Players in Mission, Kansas. Based on the original concept of Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx Avenue Q is a musical in two acts. Music and lyrics are by Lopez and Marx with the book by Jeff Whitty.

ROLEX presents Career Transition For Dancers' 30TH ANNIVERSARY PEARL JUBILEE: A STAR-STUDDED RETROSPECTIVE on Monday, September 28, at 7:00 pm at New York City Center, 131 West 55 Street (btwn. 6 & 7 Aves) NYC followed by 'Supper With The Stars' at The Grand Ballroom at The Hilton New York. Some of the talent and performances* for the evening are 'All That Jazz' from CHICAGO with Bebe Neuwirth; American Ballet Theatre; Arthur Murray Dance Center, Columbus Circle; Big Apple Circus; Jazz Roots Dance Company; Joffrey Ballet Concert Group; National Dance Institute; New York Song & Dance Company; Parsons Dance; Jason Samuels Smith and others.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater announces Tony Award winner Phylicia Rashad will join Event Chair and Arena Stage Board member Shawna Watley (Senior Policy Advisor with Holland & Knight) as the Honorary Chair for The Blood Quilt World Premiere Celebration on Thursday, May 7, 2015. The new play by Katori Hall (The Mountaintop, Our Lady of Kibeho) is directed by Kamilah Forbes and runs April 24-June 7, 2015 in the Kreeger Theater.

The unique performing arts intensive will take place at the Dallas Convention Center (600 South Griffin Street, Dallas, TX) tonight, March 10 - Saturday, March 14, 2015. The five-day intensive will culminate in a unique Broadway-style concert event featuring performances by Dallas' brightest rising stars on Friday, March 13, 2015 at 8 p.m.

Mine is Yours theatre company, now in their second season, is itching to share their first contemporary production with Los Angeles! Bachelorette by Leslye Headland, directed by Jessica Hanna and assistant directed by Mallin Alter, will run for four weeks this Spring: March 20 - April 12, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 7pm. Tickets are $18 at the door, $15 online, and presale tickets (purchased before 3/13) are $12 each.

The unique performing arts intensive will take place at the Dallas Convention Center (600 South Griffin Street, Dallas, TX) Tuesday, March 10 - Saturday, March 14, 2015. The five-day intensive will culminate in a unique Broadway-style concert event featuring performances by Dallas' brightest rising stars on Friday, March 13, 2015 at 8 p.m.

Previews of tonight's episode warned us that heart strings would be pulled. It was a mostly April/Jackson-centric episode; a will he/won't he live plot line regarding their unborn baby. Several hashtags flashed on the bottom of my screen as the show began; one of which read: #TearsOfGreys. I pursed my lips. They weren't pulling punches tonight.

On January 29th, over 200 guests filled the Circle Ball Room at The Breaker's in Palm Beach for a thrilling evening of dinner, dance and music hosted by actor and singer Gianni Russo of "The Godfather" fame thanks to the efforts of a group of powerhouse chairs and committee members. International Chair was Herme De Wyman. Gala Co-Chairs were Anka Palitz, Jennifer Myerberg and Ann Van Ness. Dinner chairs were George J. Palladino and Jerrold St. George. Vice Chairs were Michele Herbert, Marsha & Carl Hewitt and Carol Jaeger. Scroll down for photos!

On the next episode of ABC's SCANDAL titled "Where's the Black Lady?", with Olivia still missing, the team comes together to do whatever it takes to find her and get her home safely.