Negro Ensemble Company News

The celebrated Tony-nominated costume designer Carrie Robbins (Irving Berlin's WHITE CHRISTMAS, GREASE, OVER HERE!), who has designed over 30 Broadway productions, turns playwright this spring with the world-premiere of two one-act plays, SAWBONES and THE DIAMOND EATER, running tonight, May 21st through June 7th Off-Broadway at the HERE Arts Center (145 Sixth Ave.) in NYC. Opening night is May 22nd.

Veteran actress /comedian Angela Scott brings her funny friends William Stephenson (FX Networks 'Louie') and Rhonda 'Passion' Hansome ('Saturday Night Live') to the legendary Duplex cabaret-theater in Manhattan's West Village for a night of laughs on Thursday, May 22, 2014.

The Tony Awards Administration Committee has announced that it will present the 2014 Regional Theatre Award to New York's Signature Theatre. Each year, the Tony Awards Administration Committee presents a Tony Award to a regional theatre on the recommendation of the American Theatre Critics Association. The 2014 Tony Awards, which are presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing, will be broadcast live from Radio City Music Hall, on the CBS television network on Sunday, June 8, 2014.

The celebrated Tony-nominated costume designer Carrie Robbins (Irving Berlin's WHITE CHRISTMAS, GREASE, OVER HERE!), who has designed over 30 Broadway productions, turns playwright this spring with the world-premiere of two one-act plays, SAWBONES and THE DIAMOND EATER, running May 21st through June 7th Off-Broadway at the HERE Arts Center (145 Sixth Ave.) in NYC. Opening night is May 22nd.

Phillip Hayes Dean, who was a playwright, director and actor in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and various regional theaters died on Monday, April 14, 2014 from a heart condition, a family spokesperson announced. He was 83.

The eclectic nature of Fort Point Theatre Channel's 2014 programming is a direct result of the creative forces that drive FPTC's 15 artistic directors. These artists are rooted in Boston's only arts-centered neighborhood and resident in a building that is now experiencing a tenant-to-owner momentum. FPTC celebrates its 7th year amidst this surge of artistic development specifically within their Midway neighborhood, an especially exciting place to be at the moment.

Oscar- and Tony-winning costume designer Ann Roth and Broadway lighting designer Shirley Prendergast are among the winners of 2014 Distinguished Achievement Awards from the United States Institute for Theatre Technology.

Josiah Theatre Works is pleased to announce its 2014 -2015 production season, which includes the following World Premieres: THE TALENTS, UNSPOKEN and more.

Marin Theatre Company, in association with Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, will stage August Wilson's Fences, the 1950s entry into his Century Cycle (also known as his Pittsburgh Cycle) - a decade-by-decade exploration of the black experience in 20th century America. Directed by Derrick Sanders, the Pulitzer Prize and two-time Tony Award-winning play will feature veteran film and television actor Carl Lumbly as Troy Maxson, Steven Anthony Jones, the artistic director of Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, as Jim Bono and award-winning actor, playwright and director Margo Hall as Rose, as well as Oregon Shakespeare Festival's Eddy Ray Jackson as Cory, Adrian Roberts as Gabriel, Tyee Tilghman as Lyons and two Marin City youths - Jade Sweeney, who attends Willow Creek Academy, and Makaelah Bashir, Bayside Martin Luther King, Jr. Academy - splitting the role of Raynell.

On Monday, March 24, 2014, The Negro Ensemble Company, Inc. (Charles Weldon, Artistic Director; Karen Brown, Executive Director) and Signature Theatre (James Houghton, Founding Artistic Director; Erika Mallin, Executive Director) will unite in a day-long celebration of the life and works of Tony Award-nominated playwright Leslie Lee. Lee passed away in New York City on January 20, 2014.

The Department of Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies continues its 2014 Main Stage season with Philip Kan Gotanda's After the War Blues, running today, March 7-16 in Zellerbach Playhouse.

On Monday, March 17, 2014 The Legendary Negro Ensemble Company, Inc. will unveil the 2014 new works Monday series, NEC'S MONDAY NIGHT READING SERIES AT THE PERSHING SQUARE SIGNATURE CENTER. NEC will hold readings beginning Monday, March 17, 2014. All readings will start at 7:00 pm on The Romulus Linney Courtyard Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center, 480 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036. A VIP Reception will immediately follow each reading. The series will feature 4 exceptional plays written by celebrated playwrights. None have been produced for New York audiences. Tickets are on sale now; $20.00 for each Monday night, $30.00 per night with reception. The series may be purchased at a discounted rate through Ticket Central. For ticket information and series package rates, visit www.ticketcentral.com or call 212-279-4200 (Daily 12noon-8pm).

Woodie King Jr's National Black Touring Circuit's 2014 Black History Month Play Festival will present 'Yesterdays: An Evening with Billie Holiday' from February 28 - March 2 at National Black Theater, 2031 Fifth Avenue.' Performances are Friday, February 28 at 7:30pm; Saturday, March 1 at 7:30pm and Sunday, March 2 at 4:00pm.

Lee Olive Tucker, Landon Bates, Jameek, Chris WIlson, Chiselle, Calvin Phillips, Jr, and more will star in the world premiere of THE TALENTS in New York City on March 21, 2014. For tickets, visit www.smarttix.com.

The Negro Ensemble Company, Inc. opens the 47th season of inspirational, innovative and exciting stage productions with a special Valentine's Day concert starring the dynamic, award-winning singer/actress Lillias White in two performances of 'A Woman On Love' tonight, February 14, 2014

The Negro Ensemble Company, Inc. has announced that Lillias White's concerts tomorrow have been canceled due to the inclement weather forecast and severe snow warnings.

The Department of Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies continues its 2014 Main Stage season with Philip Kan Gotanda's After the War Blues, running March 7-16 in Zellerbach Playhouse.