Paul Lazar News

Under the leadership of Artistic Director Sarah Benson and Executive Director Cynthia Flowers, Soho Rep. has continually produced work by bold artists who harness the intimate power of the organization's own 73-seat black box theater, as well as other spaces, to create transformative experiences. Soho Rep.'s 2016-17 season, announced today, comprises two ambitious new works-both characterized by inventive theatrical forms, holistic collaborations, and striking original music-along with an opportunity to get the first 'work-in-process' look at a new commission by a celebrated playwright.

A Q&A with PS122 Gala's Honorees: Annie B Parson and Paul Lazar

PS122's Spring Gala 2016 celebrates three contemporary luminaries whose influence ripples across borders and through generations by honoring Annie-B Parson and Paul Lazar, the visionary team behind Big Dance Theater. In addition, Nicole Birmann Bloom, of the Cultural Services of the French Embassy, will receive the Shining Star Award for her unwavering dedication to New York City arts and French-American cultural exchange.

The 2016 Jacob's Pillow Dance Award, a prestigious honor that carries a $25,000 cash prize, will be presented to contemporary choreographer, dancer, and artistic director Camille A. Brown in acknowledgement of her vision and outstanding contributions to the dance field. Regularly garnering acclaim for her 'vividness and versatility' (Alastair Macaulay, The New York Times), Brown holds a New York Dance and Performance ('Bessie') Award, two Princess Grace Awards, a Doris Duke Performing Artist Award, and her work has toured nationally and internationally. The Jacob's Pillow Dance Award was established in 2007 and, in honor of its 10th anniversary, the Pillow has broadened the scope of this honor with a commitment to the artist's growth and future work. In addition to the unrestricted cash prize, this Award also includes a committed engagement for the 2017 Festival and a Creative Development Residency at Jacob's Pillow. Previous recipients of the Jacob's Pillow Dance Award include the legendary choreographer Merce Cunningham; MacArthur Fellows Michelle Dorrance and Kyle Abraham; and John Heginbotham of Dance Heginbotham, among others.

The Martin E. Segal Theatre Center, located at The Graduate Center, City University of New York, announces its Spring 2016 season of public programs. The season successfully launched with The Second Annual Segal Center Film Festival on Theatre and Performance (February 25 + 26), a yearly event that celebrates the themes of theatre and performance on the screen. The season continues with free public programs throughout the fall and winter, featuring contemporary theatre and performing artists from around the world.

Red Bull Theater today announced that their Twelfth Season will continue with Philip Massinger's The Roman Actor, directed by Louisa Proske, on Monday February 15th at 7:30 PM, at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street, between Bleecker and Hudson).  Featured in the cast will be Oberon Adjepong, Mamoudou Athie, Tina Benko, Clifton Duncan, Ben Horner, Jennifer Ikeda, Patrick Page, Paul Lazar, Carolyn Smith, Sam Underwood, Adina Verson, and more, with live music performed by percussionist Satoshi Takeishi.  Tickets may be purchased online at www.redbulltheater.com or by phone at (212) 352-3101.

This winter, Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, the longest running dance festival in the U.S. and National Medal of the Arts recipient, partners with local Berkshire cultural organizations to present dance-related programming throughout 2016.  In the midst of preparing for another bustling summer season, the Pillow's winter and spring partnerships will include presentations by former and future Festival artists at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA) and informational pre-screening talks by esteemed Jacob's Pillow Scholar-in-Residence Brian Schaefer at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center.

THE OFFENDING GESTURE -- a play by Mac Wellman -- will be given its world premiere by The Tank (a non-profit arts presenter and producer) this winter, opening tonight, January 9, at The Connelly Theater (220 East 4th Street).

THE OFFENDING GESTURE -- a play by Mac Wellman -- will be given its world premiere by The Tank (a non-profit arts presenter and producer) this winter with previews beginning tonight, January 6th, prior to opening on January 9 at The Connelly Theater (220 East 4th Street).

The Kitchen, founded in 1971, has continued to serve as an important catalyst for a broad community of groundbreaking artists working across disciplines.

Who hasn't wanted to run away with the circus at some point in their lives? The ephemeral world created under the big top has always managed to entice with the glamour of its imaginary delights. Acrobats and elephants, beautiful people flying through the air, and the side show of unimaginable curiosities - they are all part of the ultimate escape from an otherwise ordinary world to a place where the extraordinary exists.

THE OFFENDING GESTURE -- a play by Mac Wellman -- will be given its world premiere by The Tank (a non-profit arts presenter and producer) this winter with previews beginning January 6th prior to opening on January 9 at The Connelly Theater (220 East 4th Street).

Crowded Fire Theater (CFT) Crowded Fire's newly appointed Artistic Director Mina Morita unveiled the 2016 mainstage season lineup of three contemporary plays that continue to uphold the company's long tradition of producing boundary - pushing, thought-provoking theater. At a season-announcement party on Saturday, November 14th Morita addressed Crowded Fire donors, patrons, and artists saying "At Crowded Fire, we are unafraid of tackling big issues. We commit ourselves to true experimentation of form and content to question, disrupt, or complicate comfortable notions of cultural hierarchy."

On October 23 & 24, Persona, a new opera from composer Keeril Makan and adaptor / librettist / director Jay Scheib, will make its world premiere at National Sawdust. Commissioned by Beth Morrison Projects and National Sawdust, and adapted by Scheib from Ingmar Bergman's film of the same name, Persona is a provocative, highly cerebral, and artistically complex depiction of human frailty, cruelty and identity. These world premiere performances—which represent the first opera staged at National Sawdust—feature music direction by Evan Ziporyn and music by the ensemble Either/Or.

On October 23 & 24, Persona, a new opera from composer Keeril Makan and adaptor / librettist / director Jay Scheib, will make its world premiere at National Sawdust. Commissioned by Beth Morrison Projects and National Sawdust, and adapted by Scheib from Ingmar Bergman's film of the same name, Persona is a provocative, highly cerebral, and artistically complex depiction of human frailty, cruelty and identity. These world premiere performances-which represent the first opera staged at National Sawdust-feature music direction by Evan Ziporyn and music by the ensemble Either/Or.

On October 23 & 24, Persona, a new opera from composer Keeril Makan and adaptor / librettist / director Jay Scheib, will make its world premiere at National Sawdust. Commissioned by Beth Morrison Projects and National Sawdust, and adapted by Scheib from Ingmar Bergman's film of the same name, Persona is a provocative, highly cerebral, and artistically complex depiction of human frailty, cruelty and identity. These world premiere performances—which represent the first opera staged at National Sawdust—feature music direction by Evan Ziporyn and music by the ensemble Either/Or.

Toilet Fire: Rectums in the Rectory is Eliza Bent's ceremony and celebration of the one thing that unites us all: our need to go. Using the structure of an ancient religious ritual to talk about matters of digestion, philosophy, and faith, Toilet Fire written and performed by Bent, with direction by Kevin Laibson and music accompaniment by Alaina Ferris, explodes with song, story, audience participation, and unexpected textual twists.