Rob Handel

Seven Devils Playwrights Conference returns to McCall, ID with a program of free public events running June 7-17. Now in its 23rd year, the McCall-based Conference brings playwrights and theater artists from around the country together to develop and present new plays by some of the nation's most exciting new voices in partnership with the Alpine Playhouse.

Rattlestick Theater, in partnership with the Terrence McNally Foundation and Tom Kirdahy Productions, have announced the three (3) inaugural Terrence McNally New Works Incubator fellows: Molly Bicks, HyoJeong Choi and Haygen-Brice Walker.

A new opera by composer Eric Moe and librettist Rob Handel, The Artwork of the Future, will have its world premiere in a production by Fresh Squeezed Opera in five performances at HERE Performing Arts Center in SoHo on May 13, 14, 16, 18, and 19, 2023. The 70-minute work, scored for four singers and instrumental septet, is a lighthearted science-fiction opera that looks at the purpose of art in challenging times through the lens of comedy.

A new opera by composer Eric Moe and librettist Rob Handel, The Artwork of the Future, will have its world premiere in a production by Fresh Squeezed Opera in five performances at HERE Performing Arts Center in SoHo on May 13, 14, 16, 18, and 19, 2023. The 70-minute work, scored for four singers and instrumental septet, is a lighthearted science-fiction opera that looks at the purpose of art in challenging times through the lens of comedy.

HERE has announced four new members of the HERE Artist Residency Program (HARP), one of the most robust residency programs in the country and serving as a national model.

A new opera by composer Eric Moe and librettist Rob Handel, The Artwork of the Future, will have its world premiere in a production by Fresh Squeezed Opera in five performances at HERE Performing Arts Center in SoHo on May 13, 14, 16, 18, and 19, 2023. The 70-minute work, scored for four singers and instrumental septet, is a lighthearted science-fiction opera that looks at the purpose of art in challenging times through the lens of comedy.

The OBIE-winning HERE has announced programming for its second annual Puppetopia, a three-week festival of new puppet theater.

Lesley Hunter has joined HERE in the newly created role of Managing Director. She succeeds Meredith Lynsey Schade, Producing Director, and Brenna Thomas, Director of External Affairs, whose departures this year have provided an opportunity for restructuring at the institution.

The Obie Award-winning HERE will be launching URHERE, a new one-of-a-kind, rigorously curated virtual platform for outdoor and digital premieres. The platform will launch November 9, 2022.

HERE announced today that Producing Director Meredith Lynsey Schade will depart the company this fall to pursue other opportunities following seven years with the company, first as General Manager and later as Producing Director. Her exit comes on the heels of the recent departure of Brenna Thomas, the company’s former Director of External Affairs, providing an opportunity for restructuring at the institution.

Robert Ramirez has been named the new head of the Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama, effective August 1. Ramirez joins CMU from the Department of Theatre and Dance at the University of Texas at Austin (UT), where he served as professor and chair.

The Obie Award-winning HERE has announced programming for Puppetopia, a presentation of HERE’s Dream Music Puppetry program. Puppetopia will run May 11–22, 2022 in the HERE Mainstage & Dorothy B. Williams Theatres (145 Sixth Avenue, New York, NY 10013).

New Camerata Opera presents The Infinite Energy of Ada Lovelace by Kamala Sankaram and Rob Handel as their spring 2022 mainstage production on April 7, 8, and 9 at 8pm, and April 10 at 3pm at Dixon Place Theater on the Lower East Side.

Today American Lyric Theater has announced the Opera Writers Diversity and Representation Initiative as part of an ongoing commitment to mentoring the next generation of operatic writers. First steps include the appointment of conductor Kelly Kuo as ALT’s new Associate Artistic Director and the creation of a free, virtual Opera Writers Symposium.

The OBIE-winning HERE will present the world premiere of Only You Will Recognize The Signal, a serial space opera featuring music by Kamala Sankaram, libretto by Rob Handel, and direction by Kristin Marting.

The OBIE-winning HERE has announced additional programming for its HERE THERE EVERYWHERE fall 2020 season. HERE's expanded online programming continues to innovate with the serial space opera, Only You Will Recognize The Signal, featuring a libretto by Rob Handel, music by Kamala Sankaram, and direction by Kristin Marting.

Art House Productions has announced the 2020-2021 cohort of its INKubator Program. INKubator is a year-long generative process for a select group of 6 playwrights in residence at Art House Productions. This year's playwrights are Andrea Coleman, Izzi D'Esposito, Madeline Dennis-Yates, Nathaniel Foster, Aja Nisenson, and SMJ.

The Farm Theater in collaboration with Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, FL have awarded Playwright Amy Gijsbers van Wijk their Physical Distance Commission.

The OBIE-winning HERE, has announced HERE THERE EVERYWHERE, a return to live in-person events along with expanded online programming for its summer and fall 2020 season, featuring original relevant works by more than 235 diverse artists. A centerpiece of the season is #stillHERE: IRL, an adventurous new series that reimagines the live experience.

The McKnight Foundation and Playwrights' Center are continuing to invest in the future of theater by supporting some of today's most promising playwrights through the McKnight National Residency and Commission and McKnight Fellowships in Playwriting. The awards are all the more pertinent as many theater-makers face unprecedented challenges during this moment of crisis.