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Tazewell Thompson

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Tazewell Thompson BIO

Tazewell Thompson is an internationally acclaimed theater and opera director and award-winning playwright. He has directing credits, more than 150, many world and American premieres, in major opera houses and theaters across the USA, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Africa, Japan and Canada. His award-winning play, Constant Star, has had 16 productions in major theaters across the country; Mary T & Lizzy K, commissioned by Molly Smith and produced at Arena Stage, is the recipient of The Edgerton Foundation New American Play Award; author of Jam & Spice; an adaptation of A Christmas Carol; and a contributing writer to Our War, short plays for Arena Stage. His a cappella musical Jubilee: Fisk Jubilee Singers had its world premiere spring of 2019 at Arena Stage. He has play commissions from Lincoln Center Theatre and People’s Light & Theatre Company. His production of Porgy and Bess, broadcast Live from Lincoln Center, received EMMY Award nominations for Best Director, and Best Production, classical music. He holds the record of directing three productions: Appomattox/ Philip Glass, Lost in the Stars/ Kurt Weill, and Cato in Utica/ Vivaldi, all in the same season in three different theaters at The Kennedy Center. His opera Blue, with composer Jeanine Tesori, commissioned by Francesca Zambello, had its world premiere in July 2019, at Glimmerglass Festival; followed by the world premiere of Freedom Ride/ Dan Shore for Chicago Opera Theatre.

Tazewell Thompson STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
1976
Gilbert

[Broadway]
1974
West Indian Student

Tazewell Thompson Productions

 
[Regional (US), 2005]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2005]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2000]
Director
 
[Off-Off-Broadway, 1987]
Director
 
[Off-Off-Broadway, 1985]
Director/Choreographer

Tazewell Thompson Awards and Nominations

Helen Hayes Awards - 1992 - Outstanding Director, Resident Production

Tazewell ThompsonJar the Floor

Helen Hayes Awards - 1991 - Outstanding Director, Resident Production

Tazewell ThompsonFences

Olivier Awards - 1989 - Outstanding Director, Non-Resident Production

Tazewell ThompsonAbyssinia

Tazewell Thompson News


Atlanta Opera Presents Its Third Annual 96-Hour Opera Festival


Join the Atlanta Opera for its third annual 96-Hour Opera festival from June 15-17. The event features the world premiere of 'Forsyth County is Flooding (with the Joy of Lake Lanier)'.

Ten Singing Actors Selected as Finalists in 2024 Lotte Lenya Competition


The Kurt Weill Foundation for Music has named the ten exceptional singing actors who will compete for a top prize of $25,000 in the final round of the twenty-sixth annual Lenya Competition, the internationally renowned theatrical singing contest.

Seattle Opera Appoints Kenneth Kellogg as Inaugural Artistic Ambassador


General Director Christina Scheppelmann announced the appointment of bass Kenneth Kellogg as Seattle Opera’s inaugural Artistic Ambassador.

Patti LuPone, Jeanine Tesori's BLUE & More Set for Lyric Opera of Chicago 2024/25 Season


Lyric Opera of Chicago has revealed its 2024/25 Season. See the full season lineup and learn how to purchase tickets!

OPERA America Announces the Recipients of 2024 Repertoire Development Grants


OPERA America has announced the recipients of its 2024 Repertoire Development Grants.

Kurt Weill Foundation Reveals Semifinalists for 2024 Lenya Competition


The Kurt Weill Foundation for Music has identified the twenty rising singer-actors who have advanced to the Lenya Competition's semifinal round.

VIDEO: Washington National Opera Presents The 11th Season Of American Opera Initiative Featuring Three World Premieres


Washington National Opera will present the 11th season of American Opera Initiative (AOI), an acclaimed initiative to commission and present new American operas, on January 19, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. in the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater. T

PAGLIACCI, THE MAGIC FLUTE & More Set for Seattle Opera 2024/25 Season


Seattle Opera has unveiled its 2024/25 season. Learn about the productions and see how to purchase tickets!

Washington National Opera to Present The 11th Season Of American Opera Initiative Featuring Three World Premieres


Washington National Opera will present the 11th season of American Opera Initiative featuring three world premieres of 20-minute chamber operas.

Washington National Opera to Present THE LION, THE UNICORN, AND ME in December


Washington National Opera will present 'The Lion, the Unicorn, and Me,' a family opera retelling the Nativity story. Don't miss this enchanting production at the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater from December 8-10.

Billie Holiday Musical Continues Syracuse Stage 50th Anniversary Season


Syracuse Stage continues its 50th Anniversary Season with “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill” by Lanie Roberston, a jukebox musical that takes an unflinching look at the life and times of legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday. Learn more about the show and find out how to get tickets here!

Washington National Opera Presents Gounod's ROMEO & JULIET, November 4�"18


Washington National Opera presents Gounod’s Romeo and Juliet, directed by Simon Godwin and starring Adam Smith and Rosa Feola.

Washington National Opera to Present GROUNDED World Premiere by Jeanine Tesori and George Brant


Experience the world premiere of GROUNDED, an exciting new production by Jeanine Tesori and George Brant, at the Washington National Opera. Find out the dates, venue, and ticket information for this eagerly anticipated event. Don't miss your chance to witness this groundbreaking performance.

Arena Stage Reveals Cast for POTUS


Get the latest updates on the cast announcement for 'POTUS' at Arena Stage. Find out who will be performing in this highly-anticipated show. Don't miss your chance to see this exciting production.

Opera San José Launches Season With All-New ROMEO & JULIET


Opera San José will launch its 40th anniversary season with an all-new production of Charles Gounod's Romeo and Juliet, directed by OSJ General Director/CEO Shawna Lucey, in her first production since taking the helm of the company. Romeo and Juliet follows on the heels of Lucey's critically acclaimed La Traviata for San Francisco Opera, which is scheduled to be remounted at Los Angeles Opera this fall.

OPERA America Awards $200,000 In Next Stage Grants Supporting Subsequent Productions Of North American Works


OPERA America has announced grants totaling $200,000 to six American opera companies through its Next Stage Grants program.

R.U.R. A TORRENT OF LIGHT Becomes The First Canadian Opera To Win Best New Opera In North America!


The Music Critics Association of North America has announced that its 2023 Award for BEST NEW OPERA—a major recognition for an opera introduced in North America during the previous calendar year—goes to composer Nicole Lizée and librettist Nicolas Billon for R.U.R. A TORRENT OF LIGHT, a Tapestry Opera production in collaboration with OCAD (Ontario College of Art and Design) University. 

Studio Theatre Announces Cast of FUN HOME


Studio Theatre has announced the cast of their production of Fun Home, with performances starting June 28. The musical, with music by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by Lisa Kron, is based on the autobiographical graphic novel of the same name by cartoonist and writer Alison Bechdel.

The Atlanta Opera Announces Teams For 96-HOUR OPERA PROJECT, June 9-12


The Atlanta Opera has announced that five creative teams have been selected to participate in the second annual 96-Hour Opera Project, a composition competition and showcase that pairs composers and librettists to write ten-minute operas. Bringing their completed works to Atlanta, the teams will workshop and rehearse their productions over four days from June 9–12, with travel, housing, singers, pianists and rehearsal space provided.

New Orleans Opera Association's General And Artistic Director To Step Down


The New Orleans Opera Association's General and Artistic Director Clare Burovac will be stepping down from her role at the end of the 2022-23 season.

Tazewell Thompson FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Tazewell Thompson been in?

Tazewell Thompson has appeared on Broadway in 2 shows.

How many West End shows has Tazewell Thompson been in?

Tazewell Thompson has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Tazewell Thompson been nominated for?

Tazewell Thompson has been nominated for several awards, including Outstanding Director, Resident Production for "Jar the Floor" and "Fences" at the Helen Hayes Awards, as well as Outstanding Director, Non-Resident Production for "Abyssinia" at the Olivier Awards.

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