Stephen Wadsworth News

The Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF) Observership Program grants emerging Directors and Choreographers 25 paid opportunities to observe the work of master Directors and Choreographers as they create productions on Broadway, Off-Broadway and at leading regional theatres across the country. SDCF Observers have access to the entire rehearsal process, from first rehearsal through previews to opening night. Observers are guaranteed the invaluable opportunity to observe, first-hand, the techniques, disciplines, approaches and insights of master artists as they create new productions and revive classics.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey has announced the appointment of stage director and longtime company guest artist Stephen Brown-Fried as the Theatre's Artistic Associate & Casting Director. 'I am thrilled to be back at this company. I do not know of another theatre that combines excellence in classic theatre and such a deep commitment to teaching. The combination of professional practice and educational training here is unparalleled,' says Brown-Fried.

He may not have money, he may not have power...but where there's a wit, there's a way. Figaro is a comic chameleon unmatched across history: clever, insubordinate, restless, lustful, agent of chaos, champion of love, jack of all trades, and man for all seasons. For more than two hundred years, this wily valet has spoken words that have incited revolution and performed deeds that make audiences fall in love with him time and again.

'I'm not a warhorse kind of singer,' mezzo Susan Graham states matter-of-factly. 'A. I'm a mezzo. B. I'm not a character mezzo. C. I'm not a contralto. The iconic opera repertoire for mezzos, Amneris (AIDA), Azucena (IL TROVATORE), even Eboli (DON CARLO)--those kinds of roles aren't my stock and trade because my voice sits high and has a different timbre.' Well, what then is her milieu? It's the likes of Handel, who composed several of the arias she has been singing this winter at the Met, as one of the stars of THE ENCHANTED ISLAND, a kind of Baroque 'jukebox opera.' But it's also Rodgers & Hammerstein's THE KING & I, which she is doing this June at the Chatelet in Paris.

He may not have money, he may not have power...but where there's a wit, there's a way. Figaro is a comic chameleon unmatched across history: clever, insubordinate, restless, lustful, agent of chaos, champion of love, jack of all trades, and man for all seasons. For more than two hundred years, this wily valet has spoken words that have incited revolution and performed deeds that make audiences fall in love with him time and again.

Musica Sacra, the longest continuously-performing professional chorus in New York City, will present a performance in honor of Women's History Month featuring works by acclaimed composers Meredith Monk and Jocelyn Hagen at New York's Alice Tully Hall on Monday, March 31, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.

Directors Lab West Steering Committee is pleased to announce the dates for the fifteenth annual Directors Lab West. The 2014 Lab will take place May 17-24th in residence at the Pasadena Playhouse. The Lab will continue its tradition of bringing together dedicated theatre directors, choreographers and master artists for a week of intense discussions and exploration of the art form.

General Director Speight Jenkins announced the singers selected for Seattle Opera's popular International Wagner Competition on August 7, 2014, where emerging artists will go head-to-head American Idol style.

The Metropolitan Opera and The Juilliard School announce casting for 'A Concert of Comic Operas' featuring varied excerpts and scenes from operas by Berlioz, Donizetti, and Mozart, and Stravinsky's rarely-performed Mavra, conducted by James Levine. The program includes Mozart's Die Entführung aus dem Serail (Act 1); Stravinsky's Mavra; Berlioz's Benvenuto Cellini (Act 1, Scene 1); and Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore (Act 1, Part 2). Performances take place on Tuesday, February 11 and Friday, February 14, 2014 at 8 PM; and Sunday, February 16, 2014 at 2 PM in Juilliard's Peter Jay Sharp Theater. Met Opera Music Director James Levine conducts the Juilliard Orchestra and singers from the Met Opera's Lindemann Young Artist Development Program, as well as singers from the Ellen and James S. Marcus Institute for Vocal Arts at Juilliard. Director Edward Berkeley will direct the program in a semi-staged concert version.

The Metropolitan Opera and The Juilliard School present an evening of opera featuring Act I of Mozart's Die Entführung aus dem Serail; Stravinsky's rarely-performed one-act comedy Mavra; Act I, scene 1 of Berlioz's Benvenuto Cellini; and Act I, part 2 of Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore in the fourth collaboration between the two institutions on Tuesday, February 11 and Friday, February 14, 2014 at 8 PM and Sunday, February 16, 2014 at 2 PM in Juilliard's Peter Jay Sharp Theater. Met Music Director James Levine conducts the Juilliard Orchestra and singers from the Met's Lindemann Young Artist Development Program, as well as singers from the Ellen and James S. Marcus Institute for Vocal Arts at Juilliard. Director Edward Berkeley will stage the program in a semi-staged concert version.

Anthony Freud, general director of Lyric Opera of Chicago, announced today that the acclaimed American director Kevin Newbury will direct the world-premiere production of Bel Canto during the company's 2015-16 season. Newbury replaces Stephen Wadsworth.

Tonight, June 22 at 8:30pm and Sunday, June 23 at 4pm, Caramoor kicks off the 68th Summer Festival with its first ever Broadway production, She Loves Me. Joining the cast will be John Cullum, Ryan Silverman, Brad Oscar, Etai BenShlomo and Jonathan Freeman. Michele Lynch will choreograph.

After eighteen seasons as McCarter's Producing Director, Mara Isaacs will be stepping down from her position this June. Isaacs, who has enjoyed a varied career as an educator and freelance producer while maintaining her position as Producing Director, will end her successful tenure with the Princeton-based McCarter Theatre at the conclusion of the 2012-2013 season. She will remain affiliated with McCarter as a consultant for the coming season.

On Saturday, June 22 at 8:30pm and Sunday, June 23 at 4pm, Caramoor kicks off the 68th Summer Festival with its first ever Broadway production, She Loves Me. Joining the cast will be John Cullum, Ryan Silverman, Brad Oscar, Etai BenShlomo and Jonathan Freeman. Michele Lynch will choreograph.

Hot on the heels of a highly successful season including - Christopher Durang's hilarious comedy Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (now on Broadway with six Tony Award nominations), Edward Albee's poignant drama, A Delicate Balance , and Into the Woods reimagined by Fiasco Theatre -McCarter Theatre Artistic Director Emily Mann has announced the five theater productions for McCarter's 2013-2014 season.

Sundance Institute today announced the seven projects selected to participate in the 2013 Theatre Lab, July 8-28 at the Sundance Resort in Utah. Under the supervision of Philip Himberg, Artistic Director, and Producing Director Christopher Hibma, the Theatre Lab is the centerpiece of the Sundance Institute's Theatre Program's year-round work and is designed to support emerging and established artists and to create a place where their original work can be effectively mentored and challenged.

The Sundance Institute Theatre Program has begun the 2013 Playwrights Retreat at Ucross Foundation. The 13th annual writing colony at the 20,000-acre working cattle ranch outside of Sheridan, Wyo. takes place through February 22 and provides a supportive environment for artists to create new work and receive guidance and reactions to it at an early stage. Under the supervision of Philip Himberg, Artistic Director of the Theatre Program, and Producing Director Christopher Hibma, the Playwrights Retreat is made possible through the generosity of Ucross Foundation.

Directors Lab West Steering Committee has announced the dates for the 14th annual Directors Lab West. The 2013 Lab will take place May 18-25 in residence at Pasadena Playhouse. The Lab will continue its tradition of bringing together dedicated theatre directors, choreographers and master artists for a week of intense discussions and exploration of the art form.