Woodie King News

On Sunday, October 30, immediately after the 2:30 PM matinee performance of 'Zora Neale Hurston, a theatrical biography' by Laurence Holder, New Federal Theatre will have a scholars' panel on this 'queen of the Harlem Renaissance,' who was a prolific novelist, playwright and journalist of the 1920s and 30s.

Hartford Stage Artistic Director Darko Tresnjak and Managing Director Michael Stotts announced today the cast and creative team for August Wilson's The Piano Lesson, directed by Jade King Carroll, who helmed our critically-acclaimed production of Having Our Say: The Delaney Sisters' First 100 Years last spring.

Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, continues its 25th Anniversary Season with East Texas Hot Links, written by Eugene Lee and directed by Ron OJ Parson. The show runs October 19, 2016 - January 22, 2017 in The Gillian Theatre: 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe. 

NAT TURNER IN JERUSALEM, the first production of the New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) 2016/17 Season, will host a post-performance discussion entitled "…And Justice for All?" on Sunday, October 2 following the 7pm performance with leaders from the faith-based, legal, political, social justice, and artistic communities.

Hartford Stage Artistic Director Darko Tresnjak and Managing Director Michael Stotts announced today the cast and creative team for August Wilson's The Piano Lesson, directed by Jade King Carroll, who helmed our critically-acclaimed production of Having Our Say: The Delaney Sisters' First 100 Years last spring.

The historic Theatre Training Workshops of Woodie King, Jr.'s New Federal Theatre will move uptown next month to Dwyer Cultural Center at 258 St. Nicholas Ave. (at 123rd Street).  They were previously held in spaces adjoining the theater's offices at 292 Henry Street.  The workshops have been a fertile training ground for leading African-American playwrights and actors.

To celebrate Zora Neale Hurston's 125th birthday, Woodie King, Jr.'s New Federal Theatre, in association with Castillo Theatre, will present 'Zora Neale Hurston: a Theatrical Biography' by Laurence Holder from October 20 to November 20 at Castillo Theatre, 543 West 42nd Street. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the cast and the historical figures they embody!

August in August' is a brand new annual live performance series teaming Joseph Grant Jr., ambassador of arts and culture for the councilman and theatrical producer Andrea J. Fulton of the Anderson & Bert Cade Fulton Foundation. Joint efforts result in the mounting of August Wilson's Tony nominated Two Trains Running directed by Sabura Rashid as its upcoming offering starting August 26th 2016. The production of 'Two Trains Running' will be featured at Fulton Park in Brooklyn on Aug. 26 from 6 to 9 p.m., and Aug. 27 at Herbert Von King Park from 4 to 7p.m. Both performances are FREE. August in August actually began Aug. 13 with the first installation of the series 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom performed at Fulton Park in Brooklyn, produced by the Bed-Stuy Theatre Group.

August in August' is a brand new annual live performance series teaming Joseph Grant Jr., ambassador of arts and culture for the councilman and theatrical producer Andrea J. Fulton of the Anderson & Bert Cade Fulton Foundation. Joint efforts result in the mounting of August Wilson's Tony nominated Two Trains Running directed by Sabura Rashid as its upcoming offering starting August 26th 2016. The production of 'Two Trains Running' will be featured at Fulton Park in Brooklyn on Aug. 26 from 6 to 9 p.m., and Aug. 27 at Herbert Von King Park from 4 to 7p.m. Both performances are FREE. August in August actually began Aug. 13 with the first installation of the series 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom performed at Fulton Park in Brooklyn, produced by the Bed-Stuy Theatre Group.

August in August' is a brand new annual live performance series teaming Joseph Grant Jr., ambassador of arts and culture for the councilman and theatrical producer Andrea J. Fulton of the Anderson & Bert Cade Fulton Foundation. Joint efforts result in the mounting of August Wilson's Tony nominated Two Trains Running directed by Sabura Rashid as its upcoming offering starting August 26th 2016. The production of 'Two Trains Running' will be featured at Fulton Park in Brooklyn on Aug. 26 from 6 to 9 p.m., and Aug. 27 at Herbert Von King Park from 4 to 7p.m. Both performances are FREE. August in August actually began Aug. 13 with the first installation of the series 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom performed at Fulton Park in Brooklyn, produced by the Bed-Stuy Theatre Group.

An exhibition of works by Haile King Rubie, a 26-year-old Harlem artist with Down Syndrome, will inaugurate the Clara Francis Gallery, a new Harlem art spot, July 27 to August 17, 2016. The exhibition, 'Haile King Rubie: Speaking Colors,' is primarily drawn from Rubie's 'art waves' of 2013 and 2015 and features contemplations of his otherwise inaccessible inner world. The new gallery space, located at 2070 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd., is a welcome addition to Harlem's art district.

Woodie King Jr.'s New Federal Theatre (NFT) held a festive Gala Benefit on Sunday, June 26 from 2:00 to 5:30 PM at Trump Place, 220 Riverside Boulevard (enter West 70th Street) honoring Novella Nelson and Melvin Van Peebles, two of many actors and directors who have worked at NFT over the theatre's 46 year history. Mr. Van Peebles was introduced by Academy Award winner Estelle Parsons. Ms. Nelson was introduced by former Mayor David Dinkins. Scroll down for photos from the event!

An exhibition of works by Haile King Rubie, a 26-year-old Harlem artist with Down Syndrome, will inaugurate the Clara Francis Gallery, a new Harlem art spot, July 27 to August 17, 2016. The exhibition, 'Haile King Rubie: Speaking Colors,' is primarily drawn from Rubie's 'art waves' of 2013 and 2015 and features contemplations of his otherwise inaccessible inner world. The new gallery space, located at 2070 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd., is a welcome addition to Harlem's art district.

One of the first and most time-honored FREE Summer Festivals in NYC each year, the LOWER EAST SIDE FESTIVAL, begins today, May 27 and continues through May 29 at Theater for the New City (155 First Ave. at 10th St.).

On May 24, The Lorraine Hansberry Awards, presented by Goodman Theatre Resident Director Chuck Smith and Woodie King, Jr., New Federal Theatre Artistic Director, will honor five women: Micki Grant, Lynn Hamilton, Shauneille Perry, Dr. Glory Van Scott and Camille Yarbrough.

One of the first and most time-honored FREE Summer Festivals in NYC each year - the LOWER EAST SIDE FESTIVAL -- will take place this year, the FEST's 21st annual event  -- Memorial Day Weekend May 27 to 29 at Theater for the New City (155 First Ave. at 10th St.), it has been announced by Crystal Field, co-founder and Artistic Director of Theater for the New City. 

In conjunction with a production of playwright Lorraine Hansberry's final work, The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window, Goodman Theatre presents a Lorraine Hansberry Celebration (today, April 30, through June 5), curated by Goodman Resident Director Chuck Smith.

Reverend Billy & The Stop Shopping Choir is the winner of the 2016 Edwin Booth Award. The Award ceremony will take place Monday, May 9, 2016 beginning at 6:30pm in The Martin E. Segal Theatre Center at the CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue, at 34th Street. Admission is FREE but seating is limited. Reservations: awalls@gradcenter.cuny.edu

Woodie King Jr.'s New Federal Theatre (NFT) will hold a Gala Benefit on Sunday, June 26 from 2:00 to 5:30 PM at Trump Place, 220 Riverside Boulevard (enter West 70th Street) honoring Novella Nelson and Melvin Van Peebles, two of many actors and directors who have worked at NFT over the theatre's 46 year history.

Woodie King Jr.'s New Federal Theatre (NFT) will hold a Gala Benefit on Sunday, June 26 from 2:00 to 5:30 PM at Trump Place, 220 Riverside Boulevard (enter West 70th Street) honoring Novella Nelson and Melvin Van Peebles, two of many actors and directors who have worked at NFT over the theatre's 46 year history.  Mr. Van Peebles will be introduced by Academy Award winner Estelle Parsons.  Ms. Nelson will be introduced by former Mayor David Dinkins.