Leon Thomas News

Concluding BTC’s Building New Pathways gala event on March 27, Co-founders T. Oliver Reid, Warren Adams, and Reginald 'Reggie' Van Lee, joined by Board members Aaliytha Stevens and Naila McKenzie, along with Executive Director Olivia Jones and Program Director Nik Whitcomb announced today the addition of Davon Williams as Communications Director.

Co-founders T. Oliver Reid, Warren Adams, and Reginald “Reggie” Van Lee, Board members Aaliytha Stevens and Naila McKenzie, along with Executive Director Olivia Jones, Program Director Nik Whitcomb & more announced today their upcoming virtual gala, BUILDING NEW PATHWAYS, streaming on Sunday, March 27, 2022 at 7pm.

Signature Theatre has announced one-week extension for Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992, National Humanities Medal-recipient Anna Deavere Smith’s gathering of voices surrounding the 1992 L.A. civil unrest in a complex portrait of a city’s racial anguish.

Signature Theatre has announced the cast of Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992, National Humanities Medal-recipient Anna Deavere Smith’s gathering of voices surrounding the 1992 L.A. civil unrest in a complex portrait of a city’s racial anguish.

Charlie Parker 100: Jazz Power ON, hosted by Eli Yamin, musician, educator and Managing Artistic Director of Jazz Power Initiative, celebrates the bebop genius of saxophonist Charlie “Bird” Parker.

The GRAMMY AWARDS Premiere Ceremony took place at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, January 26, from 12:30-3:30 p.m. PT. Preceding the 62nd Annual GRAMMY AWARDS telecast, the Premiere Ceremony was hosted by two-time GRAMMY winner and current nominee Imogen Heap and featured a number of performances by current GRAMMY nominees. Performers included classical violinist Nicola Benedetti, jazz legend Chick Corea, folk music supergroup I'm With Her, West African sensation Angélique Kidjo and Best New Artist nominee Yola.

With a mix of exhilarating premieres, new productions, and retuning favorites, the renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT) marks its annual Kennedy Center engagement with seven performances on the Opera House stage from February 4a?"9. Led by Artistic Director Robert Battle, the company has had a long-standing impact on the world of modern dance and a unique role in celebrating the African American cultural experience. The company's performances include premieres from esteemed choreographer Donald Byrd and Ailey dancer and first-ever resident choreographer Jamar Roberts that shine a spotlight on social issues. The engagement will see three D.C. debuts; two new productions; and two company premieres, along with Alvin Ailey's American masterpiece Revelations, which will be performed as the finale for all seven programs.

The 48th season of the popular Highlights In Jazz continues on March 19, 2020, when producer Jack Kleinsinger presents 'Ellington Everlasting.' The concert turns the spotlight on the maestro's timeless compositions and enduring legacy, through the dynamic vision of featured performers like trombonist Art Baron & The Duke's Men, drummer Bernard Purdie, bassist Bill Crow, saxophonists Bill Easley and Mark Hynes, pianist James Weidman and vocalist Ira Hawkins. In keeping with the beloved HIJ tradition, a surprise special guest will be on hand for the concert, to be held at BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center.

Recording Academy® President/CEO Deborah Dugan alongside Academy Chair of the Board of Trustees and renowned record producer Harvey Mason Jr., as well as GRAMMY Awards® host Alicia Keys and past two-time GRAMMY® nominee Bebe Rexha, today revealed nominees for the 62nd GRAMMY Awards in select categories. This year's nominees reflect a melting pot of artistic innovation that defined the year in music, showcasing the unparalleled craftsmanship of established artists and the industry-shifting impact of rising music creators. Leading nominees Lizzo (8), Billie Eilish (6) and Lil Nas X (6) not only topped the charts but ignited a cultural conversation around their genre-bending hits. As the only peer-selected music award, the GRAMMY Awards are voted on by the Recoding Academy's membership body of music makers, who represent all genres and creative disciplines, including recording artists, songwriters, producers, mixers and engineers.

In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Stonewall and World Pride coming to New York for the first time ever, Labyrinth Dance Theaterpresents Come Back Once More So I Can Say Goodbye,an evening-length theatrical dance concert featuring live original music and choreography, vintage recordings, historic footage, political soundbites and stunning visuals.Artistic Director Sasha Spielvogel's landmark piece tells the story of the gay community in New York City from 1965-1995:from the historic Sip-In at the Julius Bar and the early Gay Rights Movement to the uprising at Stonewall, and through the widespread apathy and abject hysteria of the AIDS crisis, these stunning performances allow us to experience the indomitable resolve of those who defiantly faced the siege against them with humor, bravery and compassion. Come Back Once Morereflects the historic resilience, compassion and heart of the LGBTQ community.Proceeds from the four upcoming performances, June 14th - 17th at The Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater (405 West 55th Street, New York City), will benefit the Ali Forney Center, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, GMHC and Live Out Loud.

It's enthralling stuff, it's us versus them, them versus us in racially loaded 1964 Miami. 2018? Pretty much the same.

BET Networks today announces the nominees for the 2018 Soul Train Awards across 12 different categories. The annual celebration will recognize the best in Soul, R&B and Hip-Hop from legends to the next generation. Filming on November 17th at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, BET presents: 2018 Soul Train Awards will air on BET and BET HER on November 25th, 2018 at 8PM ET.

Miami New Drama is proud to announce the cast for its season opener, One Night in Miami... a play with music that focuses on the night of February 25th, 1964, when a young Cassius Clay celebrated his victory over Sonny Liston with three of his closest friends - activist Malcolm X, singer Sam Cooke and football icon Jim Brown.

Miami New Drama is proud to announce the cast for its season opener, One Night in Miami... a play with music that focuses on the night of February 25th, 1964, when a young Cassius Clay celebrated his victory over Sonny Liston with three of his closest friends - activist Malcolm X, singer Sam Cooke and football icon Jim Brown.

DEINSTITUTIONALIZED LLC, in association with LANY Entertainment and END OF THE ROSE LLC, is excited to announce the lead cast for the new, limited digital series, “FraXtur.” Co-created and directed by Emmy winning producer Christopher Douglas-Olen Ray (Circus Kane), “FraXtur” stars a diverse and notable cast including: Brittany Curran (The Magicians), Denise Richards (Starship Troopers), Karl Yune (“Arrow”), Leon Thomas III (Insecure), Max Adler (“The Flash”), Camille Winbush (“The Bernie Mac Show”), multiple Emmy winner Kristos Andrews, Cody Saintgnue (“Teen Wolf”), Emmy winner Eric Nelsen, Ciara Hanna, Chasty Ballesteros and Sinjin Rosa. All of these cast members come together in one of this year's most exciting, upcoming post-apocalyptic television shows.

Schimmel Center will present Tony and Pulitzer Prize nominee Anna Deavere Smith's Obie Award-winning solo performance, Notes From the Field, for one weekend only on Friday, June 1 at 7:30 p.m. and Today, June 2 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in preparation for a two week run at the Royal Court in London. The production is directed by Leonard Foglia and features original music composed and performed by bassist Marcus Shelby who joins Ms. Smith on stage.

Schimmel Center will present Tony and Pulitzer Prize nominee Anna Deavere Smith's Obie Award-winning solo performance, Notes From the Field, for one weekend only on Friday, June 1 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, June 2 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in preparation for a two week run at the Royal Court in London. The production is directed by Leonard Foglia and features original music composed and performed by bassist Marcus Shelby who joins Ms. Smith on stage.

The Actors Fund's Looking Ahead Program, which helps professional young performers and their families address the unique challenges of working in the entertainment industry, celebrated the 2017 Looking Ahead Awards with a star-studded gala on Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at the Taglyan Cultural Complex in Hollywood, CA. BroadwayWorld has photos below!

The Actors Fund announced today that actress Holly Robinson-Peete will honor her mother, Dolores Robinson, with the Judy & Hilary Swank Award for Parenting at the 2017 Looking Ahead Awards today, December 5 at 6pm at Taglyan Complex in Hollywood.