Nashville Children's Theatre's SCOT COPELAND Dies
by Jeffrey Ellis - Feb 25, 2016
Scot Copeland, longtime producing artistic director of Nashville Children's Theatre and one of the world's leading proponents of theater for younger audiences, died during the overnight hours of February 25 from an apparent heart attack. He is survived by his wife, Rene Dunshee Copeland, producing artistic director of Nashville Repertory Theatre, his two sons, many family members and countless 'chosen family' and friends all over the world.
GroundWorks Theatre Preps DADDY WENT HOME FOR CHRISTMAS For Darkhorse Run
by Jeffrey Ellis - Dec 10, 2012
GroundWorks Theatre and playwright/director Myra Stephens give a decidedly Southern accent to the holiday season as they present Daddy Went Home for Christmas from December 14-23 at Nashville's Darkhorse Theatre. Described by the playwright as "a parody of all things Southern," consider it a holiday-themed gift of love, dental issues and the death of a loved one.
First Night 2011 Gears Up to Celebrate Live Theater in Tennessee
by BWW
News Desk - Aug 27, 2011
Six of the leading lights of the theater world in Tennessee will be recognized as members of the 2011 Class of First Night Honorees August 27-September 4 as First Night, the Nashville Theatre Honors hosts a series of theatrical events to celebrate their achievements and accomplishments.
STAGE TUBE: First Night Nashville promo released
by Jeffrey Ellis - Aug 18, 2011
First Night: The Honors Gala is set for Sunday, September 4, at the Troutt Theatre at Belmont University, which kicks off at 5:30 p.m. with the Red Carpet Event, hosted by Jennifer Richmond and Trey Palmer, with fashion commentary by Cary Street, Joshua Waldrep and Lisa Garner Harrison. Impresario Johnny Delarocco (aka John Pyka) will produce a special Red Carpet performance by his company just for First Night.
Photo Coverage: 2011 Class of First Night Honorees' Official Portraits
by Jeffrey Ellis - Aug 5, 2011
Five of the six honorees - Brewer, Hoff, Proctor, Sasser and Shute-Pettaway - gathered on the East Bank of the Cumberland River on Wednesday, August 3, to have their official First Night photographs taken by acclaimed Nashville photographer Barry A. Noland. Atha is out of town until month's end, when she returns for all the First Night festivities.
First Night 2011 Gears Up to Celebrate Live Theater in Tennessee
by Jeffrey Ellis - Aug 2, 2011
Six of the leading lights of the theater world in Tennessee will be recognized as members of the 2011 Class of First Night Honorees August 27-September 4 as First Night, the Nashville Theatre Honors hosts a series of theatrical events to celebrate their achievements and accomplishments.
BWW Reviews: THE FALL TO EARTH from GroundWorks Theatre
by Jeffrey Ellis - May 14, 2011
Joel Drake Johnson's The Fall to Earth is an atypical, darkly comic - yet at the same time very serious - take on the conventional mother/daughter tale. Now presented in an exceptional new production from Nashville's GroundWorks Theatre, The Fall to Earth stars an extraordinary trio of actresses who bring the disquieting story to life with a sense of camaraderie and trust, delivering as they do a truly compelling experience for theater-goers.
Photo Coverage: The First Night Nashville Theatre Honorees' Dinner
by Jeffrey Ellis - Sep 28, 2010
The eight theater visionaries feted during First Night Week in Nashville were the guests of honors at a dinner on Thursday, September 16, at Germantown Cafe, during which they were presented with their medals which help to designate them as members of the 2010 Class of First Night Honorees.
Photo Coverage: First Night Nashville Theatre Honors, THE SHOW
by Jeffrey Ellis - Sep 27, 2010
A cast of more than 125 performers took to the stage of the Troutt Theatre at Belmont University to fete the eight members of the 2010 Class of First Night Honorees in a production that featured the best of the best of Nashville theater and included a surprise appearance by Joseph Mahowald, winner of a 1989 First Night Award, now playing the role of Franklin Hart Jr. in the national tour of 9 to 5: The Musical, which opened in Nashville at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, September 21.
Photo Coverage: Honorees talk theater at First Night Symposium
by Jeffrey Ellis - Sep 24, 2010
Nashville theater's past, present and future was the topic of discussion on Monday night, September 13, as seven of the eight 2010 First Night Honorees gathered for the First Night Symposium. Held at Belmont University's Black Box Theatre, the event attracted an audience of about 75 and was moderated by First Night founder/executive producer Jeffrey Ellis.
Photo Coverage: Red Carpet Arrivals at First Night Nashville Theatre Honors, Part 2
by Jeffrey Ellis - Sep 23, 2010
Photographer Stacy Battles, one of Nashville's best known celebrity photographers, was on hand to shoot the red carpet arrivals that heralded the return of First Night, after an absence of some 14 years. First Night is presented by Jeffrey Ellis, who covers Nashville theater for BroadwayWorld.com, and who is the founder of the awards celebration that was first held on September 17, 1989.
Photo Coverage: Red Carpet Arrivals at First Night Nashville Theatre Honors
by Jeffrey Ellis - Sep 23, 2010
The glitterati of Nashville's theater community took to the red carpet Sunday night, September 19, prior to the start of the First Night Nashville Theatre Honors. Held at the Troutt Theatre at Belmont University, the First Night Honors recognized eight leaders of the Nashville theater community for their lifetime achievements and contributions to the art form.
Eleven young thespians honored as 'Most Promising Actors' at First Night 9/19
by BWW
News Desk - Sep 19, 2010
When eight of Nashville's best-known theater visionaries are lauded for their inspiration, commitment and leadership during the 2010 First Night Nashville Theatre Honors, eleven of the region's brightest young actors also will be recognized for their own theatrical achievements and the promise of much more to come.
Eleven young thespians honored as 'Most Promising Actors' at First Night 9/19
by Jeffrey Ellis - Sep 8, 2010
When eight of Nashville's best-known theater visionaries are lauded for their inspiration, commitment and leadership during the 2010 First Night Nashville Theatre Honors, eleven of the region's brightest young actors also will be recognized for their own theatrical achievements and the promise of much more to come.
Photo Coverage: The First Night Fashion Extravaganza, The Sequel
by Jeffrey Ellis - Aug 22, 2010
First Night season in Nashville kicked into high gear on Monday night, August 16, as some of Nashville's best-loved actors released their 'inner Tyra' during the First Night Fashion Extravaganza at Macy's Green Hills. Some of the season's hottest Red Carpet Fashions were featured in the fashion show in advance of The First Night Nashville Theatre Honors, slated for Sunday, September 19, at Belmont University's Troutt Theatre.
Photo Coverage: The First Night Fashion Extravaganza
by Jeffrey Ellis - Aug 19, 2010
First Night season in Nashville kicked into high gear on Monday night, August 16, as some of Nashville's best-loved actors showed off their 'inner Tyra' during the First Night Fashion Extravaganza at Macy's Green Hills. Some of the season's hottest Red Carpet Fashions were featured in the fashion show in advance of The First Night Nashville Theatre Honors, slated for Sunday, September 19, at Belmont University's Troutt Theatre.
Photo Coverage: First Night Nashville Theatre Honors - Preview Party
by Jeffrey Ellis - Aug 3, 2010
Eight of the leading lights of Nashville theater were announced Monday night as the Class of 2010 Honorees for the First Night Nashville Theatre Honors, to be presented Sunday, September 19. The Hard Rock Cafe Nashville's Reverb Room was the setting for the preview party and announcement of honorees.
