Stephen Wadsworth News

Under General Director Speight Jenkins' 30 years of leadership, Seattle Opera has become known as "America's Bayreuth," drawing worldwide audiences to its acclaimed productions of all of Richard Wagner's major works, especially to the company's signature work, Wagner's ambitious four-opera cycle, Der Ring des Nibelungen. To date, opera-goers from 22 countries and all 50 states (plus the District of Columbia) have purchased tickets for Seattle Opera's 2013 Ring.

Alan Gilbert, whose tenure as Music Director of the New York Philharmonic has just been extended through the 2016-17 season, heads across Lincoln Center Plaza this month to lead three fully-staged performances of Mozart's Cosi fan tutte at the Juilliard School (tonight, Nov 14 and Nov 17, & 19), where he serves as Director of Conducting and Orchestral Studies.

Alan Gilbert, whose tenure as Music Director of the New York Philharmonic has just been extended through the 2016-17 season, heads across Lincoln Center Plaza this month to lead three fully-staged performances of Mozart's Cosi fan tutte at the Juilliard School (Nov 14, 17, & 19), where he serves as Director of Conducting and Orchestral Studies.

Sundance Institute today announced the seven artists selected for its 2013 Playwrights Retreat at Ucross Foundation, February 4-22, 2013. The annual writing colony at the 20,000-acre working cattle ranch outside of Sheridan, Wyo. 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.

After a 29-year absence from the Lyric Opera of Kansas City repertoire, the Company presents Verdi's Il Trovatore tonight, November 3 and November 7, 9 & 11, 2012 at the Kauffman Center of the Performing Arts.

Seattle Opera's critically acclaimed production of Wagner's four-opera epic Der Ring des Nibelungen returns for three cycles in August 2013. Online ticket sales to the general public will begin on Monday, November 12, at 9 a.m. Phone and in-person sales will begin on Thursday, November 15. Fans of Seattle Opera on Facebook may secure tickets early, beginning November 8.

The William & Eva Fox Foundation and Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for theatre, are pleased to announce the seventh round of Fox Foundation Resident Actor Fellowship recipients. The program is designed to support actors' professional and artistic development, to enrich relationships between actors and nonprofit theatres and to ensure continued professional commitment to live theatre. Funded by the Fox Foundation and administered by TCG, the fellowship is one of only a few programs of its kind for actors in the country.

After a 29-year absence from the Lyric Opera of Kansas City repertoire, the Company presents Verdi's Il Trovatore November 3, 7, 9, 11, 2012 at the Kauffman Center of the Performing Arts.

PEN American Center has just announced the winners and runners-up of the 2012 PEN Awards, the most comprehensive literary awards program in the country. This year marks PEN's 90th anniversary. For more than 50 of those years PEN's Literary Awards program has honored many of the most outstanding voices in literature.

Anthony Freud, general director of Lyric Opera of Chicago, announced today that The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation is awarding $2 million to the internationally acclaimed company in support of expanded community engagement and new artistic initiatives.

Two-time Tony Award-winner and prolific costume designer Martin Pakledinaz died at home this morning, July 8, 2012, after a long illness. He was 58. Pakledinaz has designed hundreds of theater, opera, dance and film pieces during his career spanning more than 30 years.

Directors Lab West Steering Committee previously announced the dates for the 13th annual Directors Lab West. The 2012 Lab takes place May 19-26 in residence at Pasadena Playhouse. The Lab continues its tradition of bringing together dedicated theatre directors, choreographers and master artists for a week of intense discussions and exploration of the art form.

Anthony Freud, general director of Lyric Opera of Chicago, announced today that the company is reporting a breakeven operating performance for fiscal year 2012. Lyric has operated in the black for 24 of the past 25 years-a record among the country's major not-for-profit music and performing-arts companies.

Earlier this morning, stage and screen stars Kristin Chenoweth & Jim Parsons announced this year's Tony nominees from the New York Public Library. In a season as rich as this past theatrical season though, there are only so many spots for nominees and some very talented shows and performers were not nominated. Below are the eligible performers and shows who were not nominatined in the major categories.

Tune in to PBS tonight, April 6, 2012 at 8:00p.m. for Live From Lincoln Center's telecast of Renee Fleming in a special intimate concert from the Stanley H. Kaplan Penthouse.

Renée Fleming stars in Handel's tuneful 'Rodelinda' on THIRTEEN's 'Great Performances at the Met' on Sunday, April 22 at 12 noon on PBS stations, but as always, do check local listings. Andreas Scholl, Stephanie Blythe, Iestyn Davies, and Joseph Kaiser co-star in Stephen Wadsworth's acclaimed production under the baton of Baroque specialist Harry Bicket.

Sundance Institute today announced the eight projects selected from nearly 900 submissions to participate in the 2012 Theatre Lab, July 9-29 at the Sundance Resort. Under the supervision of Philip Himberg, Producing Artistic Director, and Associate Director Christopher Hibma, the Lab is the centerpiece of the 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.

Seattle Repertory Theatre and Artistic Director Jerry Manning announced today its full 50th Anniversary Season. The Seattle Rep artistic team has spent years putting together this landmark season-one that showcases what the Rep does best and celebrates its history. Seattle Rep's 50th Anniversary season will run from September 2012-May 2013.