Karen Wood

Nominated performers, cast members from nominated shows and 2023 Emmy presenters will be invited to choose from a collection of luxury gifts in the Giving Suite and will autograph items to be auctioned by the Foundation to help support its unparalleled programs of education, inclusion and historic preservation.

The Television Academy Foundation today announced that Backstage Creations will produce the official Giving Suite for the 71st Emmy Awards. Emmy-nominated celebrities and presenters help raise funds for the nonprofit while browsing luxury items during the awards show.

Laguna Playhouse Board of Directors announced today that, later this month, Ellen Richard will be joining Laguna Playhouse as its Interim Executive Director. The Playhouse announced late last year that it was undertaking a national search guided by Arts Consulting Group (ACG) for an Executive Director to succeed Karen Wood who had held this position for the past eight years.

MTV today announced that the “2016 MTV Movie Awards” will debut an exclusive sneak peek from Marvel's highly-anticipated action-adventure blockbuster Captain America: Civil War, set for theatrical release on May 6.

MTV announced today that comedian, actress, writer and producer extraordinaire, Melissa McCarthy will receive its “Comedic Genius Award” at the “2016 MTV Movie Awards” for her bold and fearless comedic style that has captured audiences hearts.

MTV today announced that the '2016 MTV Movie Awards' will debut an exclusive sneak peek from Warner Bros. Pictures' highly anticipated super villain movie SUICIDE SQUAD, set for theatrical release on August 5.

MTV today announced that the “2016 MTV Movie Awards” will debut an exclusive sneak peek from Marvel's highly-anticipated action-adventure blockbuster Captain America: Civil War, set for theatrical release on May 6.

MTV News reveals exclusively that X-Men: Apocalypse star Olivia Munn and supermodel Gigi Hadid will be among the presenters for the 2016 MTV MOVIE AWARDS, to be held outdoors on the Warner Bros. backlot in Burbank, CA.

The Laguna Playhouse Executive and Artistic Directors, Karen Wood and Ann E. Wareham are thrilled to announce the third show in their 2015-2016 season, the U.S. Premiere of Rita Rudner and Charles Shaughnessy starring in ACT 3..., written by David Ambrose and Claudia Nellens and directed by Martin Bergman.

The Laguna Playhouse announced today, a key leadership transition slated for 2016.  Karen Wood, executive director will be leaving the Playhouse completing her 8th season at the 95 year old landmark institution.   As Executive Director, Ms. Wood has been instrumental in the programming and business model re-designs that successfully propelled the Playhouse through the challenging years of the deep financial recession.  

The Laguna Playhouse Executive and Artistic Directors, Karen Wood and Ann E. Wareham have announced that legendary comedian David Steinberg, will perform his acclaimed one-man show for two nights only in AN EVENING WITH DAVID STEINBERG today, November 21 & Saturday, November 22 at 7:30pm at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.

The Laguna Playhouse Executive and Artistic Directors, Karen Wood and Ann E. Wareham have announced that legendary comedian David Steinberg, will perform his acclaimed one-man show for two nights only in AN EVENING WITH DAVID STEINBERG on Friday, November 21 & Saturday, November 22 at 7:30pm at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.

The Laguna Playhouse Executive and Artistic Directors, Karen Wood and Ann E. Wareham and Lythgoe Family Productions are thrilled to announce a very special Holiday event, A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS, featuring Lindsay Pearce ('Glee') as Snow White, Marina Sirtis ('Star Trek: The Next Generation') as the Wicked Queen and an on-screen appearance by Tony award-winner Neil Patrick Harris as the Magic Mirror ('Best Thing Ever with Neil Patrick Harris).

The Laguna Playhouse Executive and Artistic Directors, Karen Wood and Ann E. Wareham are thrilled to announce the cast for the west coast premiere musical event, I'M STILL GETTING MY ACT TOGETHER and taking it on the road, with music by Nancy Ford, lyrics by Gretchen Cryer and performed and directed by Gretchen Cryer. Check out photos from the show below!

The Laguna Playhouse Executive and Artistic Directors, Karen Wood and Ann E. Wareham have announced the cast for the west coast premiere musical event, I'M STILL GETTING MY ACT TOGETHER and taking it on the road...,music by Nancy Ford, lyrics by Gretchen Cryer and performed and directed by Gretchen Cryer.

The Laguna Playhouse Executive Director Karen Wood and Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham & Dan Aykroyd, Judy Belushi and Musical Director Paul Shaffer are thrilled to present a special engagement of THE OFFICIAL BLUES BROTHERS REVUE, featuring Wayne Catania as Jake and Kieron Lafferty as Elwood. 

The Laguna Playhouse Executive Director Karen Wood and Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham & Dan Aykroyd, Judy Belushi and Musical Director Paul Shaffer are thrilled to present a special engagement of THE OFFICIAL BLUES BROTHERS REVUE, featuring Wayne Catania as Jake and Kieron Lafferty as Elwood. 

The Laguna Playhouse Executive and Artistic Directors, Karen Wood and Ann E. Wareham are thrilled to announce a west coast premiere musical event, I'M STILL GETTING MY ACT TOGETHER, music by Nancy Ford, lyrics by Gretchen Cryer and performed and directed by Gretchen Cryer.  "What an honor to present the West Coast Premiere of a continuation of one of the most iconic musicals of the '70s," comments Wood.  "It is simply a thrill to have Gretchen Cryer and Nancy Ford bring this updated landmark show to our stage. This is going to be so exciting for our subscribers and audiences, I can't wait!," adds Wareham. I'M STILL GETTING MY ACT TOGETHER will begin performances on Wednesday, October 7; will open on Saturday, October 10 and will run through Sunday, November 1, 2015 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.

The Laguna Playhouse Executive and Artistic Directors, Karen Wood and Ann E. Wareham are thrilled to present the first show in their 2015-2016 season, the smash-hit musical, FOOTLOOSE, stage adaption by Dean Pitchford & Walter Bobbie, based on the original screenplay by Dean Pitchford, music by Tom Snow, lyrics by Dean Pitchford with additional music by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins & Jim Steinman. The musical direction is by Jeff Biering and the production will be choreographed and directed by Paula Hammons Sloan.

The Laguna Playhouse Executive and Artistic Directors, Karen Wood and Ann E. Wareham are thrilled to present the first show in their 2015-2016 season, the smash-hit musical, FOOTLOOSE, stage adaption by Dean Pitchford & Walter Bobbie, based on the original screenplay by Dean Pitchford, music by Tom Snow, lyrics by Dean Pitchford with additional music by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins & Jim Steinman. The musical direction is by Jeff Biering and the production will be choreographed and directed by Paula Hammons Sloan. 'What better way to kick off the summer and our 2015 season of so many diverse choices than with this joyous celebration of finding the courage to stand up for what's right,' comments Wood. 'We are thrilled to have Paula Hammons Sloan directing what is sure to be a rocking production and this cast is going to have our audiences dancing in the aisles,' adds Wareham. FOOTLOOSE will begin performances on Wednesday, July 8 and will run through Sunday, August 9, 2015 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.