Charles Askenaizer

Industry Pro Newsletter: Drama Desk winners announced & Jeff Awards halt non-Equity Adjudication
by Alex Freeman - May 18, 2026

In New York, awards season rolls on: Schmigadoon! and Ragtime led the 70th Annual Drama Desk Awards, Dorian Award nominations have been announced, and John Lithgow is slated for a lifetime achievement honor. Chicago’s Jeff Awards have halted non-Equity adjudication to overhaul policies following community backlash, while the UK’s National Theatre is launching a 12-venue partnership to rescue a collapsing regional touring network. We round out the news with a wave of key executive appointments in Massachusetts, Dallas, and London, a breakdown of Australia’s complex new $1.1 billion arts budget, and the return of BroadwayWorld's My Show’s Curtain Call for the 2025-2026 season.

Jeff Awards Pauses All Non-Equity Adjudication Following Industry Backlash
by Joshua Wright - May 12, 2026

The Jeff Awards has paused Non-Equity awards consideration starting June 1, 2026, citing the need for more time to review policies after community backlash.

Industry Pro Newsletter: P!NK to Host the Tonys + DOJ Settles With Broadway Across America
by Alex Freeman - Apr 13, 2026

On Broadway, the Justice Department's resolution of its investigation into Broadway Across America signals growing scrutiny of market power in the touring industry, while the Tony Awards season heats up with eligibility decisions, a surprise celebrity host announcement in P!NK, and a $100 million facelift planned for Studio 54.

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld April 10, 2026- Pop Superstar Pink To Host the 2026 Tony Awards and More
by - Apr 10, 2026

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is April 10, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

15 Chicago Theaters Cut Ties With Jeff Awards
by Allison Henry - Apr 9, 2026

At least 15 Chicago theater companies have publicly cut ties with the Joseph Jefferson Awards after the organization named Invictus Theatre Artistic Director Charles Askenaizer 'Best Director' at its Non-Equity ceremony on March 23, 2026.

Industry Pro Newsletter: BroadwayWorld Now Speaks 20 Languages — and More Big News
by Alex Freeman - Apr 6, 2026

This week's theater news spans continents and crosses languages — quite literally. In New York, Rattlestick Theater announces a meaningful tribute to one of Off-Broadway's greatest champions, renaming its West Village home in honor of the late playwright Terrence McNally, while Broadway Cares celebrates the generosity of the theater community with a record-breaking fundraising run on Governors Island. Across the Atlantic, the beloved West End hit Paddington the Musical prepares to bring its score to audiences worldwide with an eagerly anticipated cast recording release. And speaking of reaching audiences worldwide, BroadwayWorld announces a major expansion of its multilingual platform, now available in 20 languages ahead of a landmark year for international visitors to the U.S. Meanwhile, in Chicago, the theater community is grappling with hard questions about legacy, accountability, and who gets to define excellence, as the city's storied Jeff Awards face growing calls for reform.

ANGELS IN AMERICA, JEKYLL & HYDE, and More Receive 52nd Anniversary Jeff Awards For Non-Equity Theaters
by Stephi Wild - Mar 24, 2026

The 52nd Jeff Awards recognize excellence in Chicago's non-equity theaters, celebrating numerous artists and theater companies. Check out the full list of winners here!

The Jeff Awards Reveals Nominations for 52nd Non-Equity Theater Awards
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 5, 2026

The 57th Jeff Awards ceremony will recognize outstanding achievements in Chicago's Equity theater scene, celebrating over 40 artists from the 2024-25 season.

Cast Set for CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF at Invictus Theatre Company
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 16, 2026

Invictus Theatre Company has revealed the cast and production team for its 2026 season opener, Tennessee Williams's Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. The Pulitzer Prize-winning drama will be the company's 20th onstage production since the company's founding.

THE HOUSE THAT WILL NOT STAND Comes to Invictus Theatre Company Next Month
by Stephi Wild - Oct 7, 2025

Invictus Theatre Company's follow-up to its enormously successful production of ANGELS IN AMERICA will be THE HOUSE THAT WILL NOT STAND, by Marcus Gardley, a former playwright-in-residence at Chicago's Victory Gardens Theatre.

Tony Kushner and Tracy Baim Will Appear in ANGELS IN AMERICA Post-show Talkbacks at Invictus Theatre Company
by Stephi Wild - Jul 9, 2025

Tony Kushner and Tracy Baim will appear in separate ANGELS IN AMERICA post-show talkbacks following two Sunday matinee performances of PART TWO: PERESTROIKA.

Photos: ANGELS IN AMERICA At Invictus Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 23, 2025

Production photos have been released for Invictus Theatre’s production of Tony Kushner’s monumental two-part play, ANGELS IN AMERICA, with a single cast performing both parts of the play in repertory. Check out photos from the show.

Meet the Angels in America Cast at Invictus Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 21, 2025

Discover the talented cast for ANGELS IN AMERICA at Invictus Theatre. Learn about their roles and the production details.

ANGELS IN AMERICA & More Set for Invictus Theatre Company 2025 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 6, 2025

Invictus Theatre Company has unveiled programming for its 2025 season, its second in residence at the Windy City Playhouse. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.

Photos: NETWORK at Invictus Theatre Company
by Blair Ingenthron - Aug 17, 2024

Invictus Theatre Company’s Chicago premiere of NETWORK will run through September 29. Check out production photos here!

Kokandy Productions, Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre & More Nominated for 2023 Jeff Awards- See the Full List!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 6, 2024

Celebrating its 50th anniversary awarding recognition for Non-Equity theater, the Joseph Jefferson Awards has revealed its nominations for theater excellence among Non-Equity theater during the 2023 season.

Invictus Theatre Company Moves To Windy City Playhouse; 2024 Season Revealed
by Stephi Wild - Jan 22, 2024

Invictus Theatre Company has announced a new home and a four-play season for 2024. Invictus will move to the Windy City Playhouse, the former producing company and venue that closed early last year. Learn more about the season here!

Nominations for 2023 Jeff Awards for Non-Equity Theater Announced; See the Full List!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 31, 2023

Kicking off the new year, the Joseph Jefferson Awards announced its nominations for theater excellence among Non-Equity theater. See the full list!

Cast and Crew Announced For Invictus Theatre Company's THE MOUNTAINTOP
by Stephi Wild - Jan 10, 2023

Full cast and crew have been announced for Invictus Theatre's upcoming production of Katori Hall's THE MOUNTAINTOP, a fictional play that vividly reimagines the final night of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., before his assassination in Memphis, Tennessee on April 4, 1968.

12 Days Left To Vote For The 2022 BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards; The Little Theatre On The Square Leads Favorite Local Theatre!
by BWW - Dec 19, 2022

The latest standings as of Monday, December 19th, have been released for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.