Rafael Casal News

Sixteen emerging screenwriters will come together at Sundance Institute's 2018 Screenwriters Lab, an immersive five-day writers' workshop announced today and taking place at the Sundance Resort in Utah, January 12-17, 2018. The Lab brings independent screenwriters together with accomplished writers, in an environment that encourages the art and craft of writing and creative risk-taking. Through one-on-one story sessions with Creative Advisors, Fellows work intensively on their feature film scripts and engage in an artistically rigorous process that offers them indispensable lessons in craft. The Lab is the first step in a year-round CONTINUUM of customized creative and tactical support for each project and team.

Today Juan Drigo Ricafort announces the release of the record single 'The Council Has Spoken,' featuring two-time Tony Award nominee Robin de Jes s (Original 2008 Broadway cast of IN THE HEIGHTS, 2010 Broadway revival of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, and musical film CAMP). Inspired by the story of Star Wars, 'The Council Has Spoken' is a rap opera born out of Ricafort's own influences, including trap hip-hop, contemporary musical theatre, and short-form audio drama.

Kate Dawson (A CHRISTMAS CAROL) and Juan Drigo (JD) Ricafort (IN THE HEIGHTS) star in Vanguard Theater Company's The Music Man in Concert as Marian Paroo and Harold Hill.

Sundance Institute showcases bold, independent storytelling at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, beginning with today's announcement of feature films selected across all categories. The Festival hosts screenings in Park City, Salt Lake City and at Sundance Mountain Resort, from January 18 28.

Musical Theatre West celebrates its 65th ANNIVERSARY SEASON with an outstanding line-up of classic and contemporary Broadway masterpieces, opening with Lin-Manuel Miranda's Tony Award-winning production In the Heights, October 20 through November 5, 2017.

Daveed Diggs stole the hearts of audiences when he leapt into the spotlight in the original cast of 'Hamilton.' Earning instant acclaim and nabbing a Tony for Best Performance by a Featured actor in a musical, the Oakland-born rapper shot to stardom throughout his run as Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson in Lin-Manuel Miranda's hit hip hop history lesson.

Deadline has reported that Tony Award winner Daveed Diggs will star alongside Rafael Casal in Snoot Entertainment's upcoming film Blindspotting,

Producers have announced the full cast for iLLA! A Hip Hop Musical at the 2017 Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's National Music Theater Conference (NMTC) this July.

Producers have announced the full cast for iLLA! A Hip Hop Musical at the 2017 Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's National Music Theater Conference (NMTC) this July.

Following a sold out "Best of Fest!" win at 2017's New York Musical Festival (NYMF), plus sold out runs in Ohio and Atlanta, iLLA! A Hip Hop Musical is headed to the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's National Music Theater Conference (NMTC) this July.

Members of the cast of Hamilton and other artists are hosting Rise UP, a night of music and entertainment at Moonlight Studios, on April 3, 2017 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. with proceeds going to support the work of the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois.

The excitement of the 2017 Sundance Film Festival happens both on-screen and off, with a robust slate of panels and music performances, many of which are free and live streamed so independent film and music fans can tune in from anywhere.

On September 5, 2016, more than 30 actors, writers and musicians came together in New York to reimagine 12 classic stories in verse. The stories were strung together as a medley in front of a packed house, scored live, and shot all in one take. Watch The #BARS Medley Vol 2 below, filmed live at The Public Theater!

Fresh off of his sold out 'Best of Fest!' win for iLLA! A Hip Hop Musical at this summer's New York Musical Festival (NYMF), plus sold out runs in Ohio and Atlanta, iLLA!'s Composer-Lyricist, Ronve O'Daniel, will perform Songs From iLLA! A Hip Hop Musical, at Joe's Pub at the Public Theater on Sunday, November 6th at 9:30PM.

LAByrinth Theater Company presents the world premiere of Homos, Or Everyone in American (tonight, October 20, through November 27) by Jordan Seavey. Homos, Or Everyone in American, directed by Mike Donahue and featuring two-time Tony nominee Robin De Jesus (In The Heights, La Cage Aux Folles) and Drama Desk Award winner Michael Urie (Buyer and Cellar, Ugly Betty, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying), is a bitingly tender new play about trying to live and love in New York.

Recently, I had the amazing opportunity to interview Rafael Casal, co-creator of #BARS workshop currently in association the Public Theater. He is a rapper, poet, actor, playwright, teacher, and musician. His highly socially-conscious work combines elements of hip-hop music and theater in a unique way. It was only fitting to have the interview in the Public Theater.

Hudson Jeans welcomed HAMILTON Tony winner Daveed Diggs for a performance at Hudson Unfiltered Live on Monday, September 19th, at the Jacob J Javits Convention Center booth. Diggs was joined by artist Rafael Casal and the talented duo performed on behalf of #BARS Workshop NYC (a workshop on rap for musical theater). Scroll down for photos!

Growing up in Northern Virginia, the first song Thomas Kail ever memorized was Slick Rick's rap 'Mona Lisa.' Its narrative about a guy chatting up a woman he meets in a pizza place opened up Kail's mind to the concept of songs having characters and telling stories.

Labyrinth Theater Company presents the world premiere of Homos, Or Everyone in American (October 20-November 27) by Jordan Seavey. Homos, Or Everyone in American, directed by Mike Donahue and featuring two-time Tony nominee Robin De Jesus (In The Heights, La Cage Aux Folles) and Drama Desk Award winner Michael Urie (Buyer and Cellar, Ugly Betty, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying), is a bitingly tender new play about trying to live and love in New York.

In the '#BARS Mixtape Musical Medley Vol. 1' video below, HAMILTON star Daveed Diggs and his writing partner Rafael Casal gathered a group of Broadway actors along with other talented singers to remix movie dialogue from 12 iconic scenes