The Sundance Institute

Previews Begin Tonight for DREAMING ZENZILE, Presented by New York Theatre Workshop & National Black Theatre

New York Theatre Workshop and National Black Theatre will present Dreaming Zenzile, based on the life of Miriam Makeba, by Grammy-nominated Vocalist/Composer Somi Kakoma, directed by Obie Award winner, Tony Award nominee, NYTW Usual Suspect & former NYTW 2050 Artistic Fellow Lileana Blain-Cruz.

MEN, MONEY AND MADNESS Opens July 15 At Theatre West

Men, Money and Madness. The award-winning cabaret show, written and performed by Tessa Bell, directed by Victoria Lavan and produced by Dina Morrone comes to Theatre West, 3333 Cahuenga Blvd. West, in Los Angeles, CA 90068. July 15-July 17, 2022. Fri. & Sat. at 8:00, Sun. at 2:00.

World Premiere of CAMPAIGNS, INC. & More Announced for TimeLine Theatre Company 2022-23 Season

After celebrating its 25th Anniversary in residence at Theater Wit—a season that featured the world premiere, acclaimed hit Relentless, which went on to an extended run at Goodman Theatre—the company will return to its longtime home in Chicago’s Lakeview East neighborhood, located at 615 W. Wellington Avenue, for three productions.

Jury Revealed for Geena Davis' 8th Annual Bentonville Film Festival

Today, The Bentonville Film Festival unveiled their distinguished Competition Jury, singularly dedicated to inclusive representation in media and entertainment. The festival, produced by the BFFoundation and chaired by Academy Award-winning Actor Geena Davis, will take place in-person June 22-26 and virtually June 22-July 3. The illustrious group of jurors is composed of award-winning producers, directors, actors and authors, including actor Yolonda Ross, film and television producer Bird Runningwater, actor Shohreh Aghdashloo, writer and filmmaker Justine Bateman, among others. The Festival is sponsored by Founding Partner, Walmart and Presenting Partner Coca-Cola. 

Ucross Announces A Special Residency For Black Poets

​​​​​​​Ucross and Cave Canem have joined forces to present a literary fellowship that provides creative support to Black poets. The 2022 Toi Derricotte Residency at Ucross has been awarded to interdisciplinary poet S. Erin Batiste of Brooklyn, New York. 

Sundance Film Festival Announces 2023 Dates

The nonprofit Sundance Institute is pleased to announce the 2023 Sundance Film Festival will take place as a hybrid festival in Park City, Salt Lake City, Utah, and beyond, from January 19 through January 29, 2023. “We can’t wait to return to our home in Park City and present exciting new work from around the world live and in person,” said Festival Director Tabitha Jackson. “We also have two years of digital exhibition and participation under our collective belt, and are returning to the excitement and immediacy of live events while retaining a powerful online offering.”

Cast, Dates & Ticket Information Announced for DREAMING ZENZILE

New York Theatre Workshop and National Black Theatre announced today casting, dates and ticket information for Dreaming Zenzile, based on the life of Miriam Makeba, by Grammy-nominated Vocalist/Composer Somi Kakoma directed by Obie Award winner, NYTW Usual Suspect & former NYTW 2050 Artistic Fellow Lileana Blain-Cruz.

Broken Box Mime Theater to Present WITH WORDS Talk Back Series

Broken Box Mime Theater will present the With Words Series, as part of their World Premiere of Take Shape at the Jeffrey and Paula Gural Theatre at A.R.T./New York Theatres (502 West 53rd Street New York, NY 10019), April 1-May 1.

New Leadership Announced At Ucross

Ucross, the prestigious artist residency program in northern Wyoming, ushered in a new era of leadership this month. On April 1, William (Bill) Belcher took the helm as president, and he has appointed Vickie Abbott as managing director. Ensuring a smooth transition, former Ucross president Sharon Dynak will continue with the organization part-time as a creative advisor.

Vineyard Theatre's Roth-Vogel New Play Commission Selects Eisa Davis as First Recipient

Vineyard Theatre Artistic Directors Douglas Aibel and Sarah Stern announced Eisa Davis as the first recipient of the Roth-Vogel New Play Commission launched in partnership with 12-time Tony Award-winning producer Daryl Roth and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel, whose extraordinary collaborations with The Vineyard have spanned over two decades.

VIDEO: Jennifer Hudson Says She Auditioned for the Role of Aretha Franklin for Over a Decade

Jennifer Hudson talks about when she first met Aretha Franklin, the role the artist's music played in her life and returning to the stage.

VIDEO: Jennifer Hudson, Hailey Kilgore & Saycon Sengbloh Write 'Respect' in a Clip From the New Aretha Franklin Biopic!

The Franklin sisters collaborate on writing the title song in this new clip from the biopic.

VIDEO: Jennifer Hudson Performs 'Think' in a New Clip From RESPECT!

Hear Hudson sing one of Aretha Franklin's most iconic songs.

VIDEO: Jennifer Hudson Performs the Title Song in This New Clip From RESPECT!

Jennifer Hudson belts out Aretha Franklin's most iconic song, 'Respect,' in this new clip from the film of the same name.

VIDEO: See Audra McDonald, Jennifer Hudson, Tituss Burgess & More in a New RESPECT Featurette!

McDonald is the recipient of a record-breaking six Tony Awards; Hudson won an Academy Award for her portrayal of Effie White in Dreamgirls; and Burgess is known for Broadway roles in The Little Mermaid and Jersey Boys.

VIDEO: See Jennifer Hudson, Audra McDonald & More in the Trailer for Aretha Franklin Biopic RESPECT!

Following the rise of Aretha Franklin’s career from a child singing in her father’s church’s choir to her international superstardom, RESPECT is the remarkable true story of the music icon’s journey to find her voice.

Today in 2008, Passing Strange closed at the Belasco Theatre, where it ran for 165 performances. Passing Strange is a rock musical about a young African American's artistic journey of self-discovery in Europe, drawing on heavy elements of existentialism, metafictional comedy, and the Kunstlerroman. The musical's lyrics and book are by Stew with music and orchestrations by Heidi Rodewald and Stew. It was created in collaboration with director Annie Dorsen. The musical was developed at the Sundance Institute Theatre Lab in 2004 and 2005, one of the only works there ever to be invited back for a second round of development. It had productions in Berkeley, California and Off-Broadway before opening on Broadway in 2008, garnering strong reviews and several awards. Spike Lee filmed the musical on Broadway as a documentary, premiering the film in 2009.

Today in 2008, Passing Strange closed at the Belasco Theatre, where it ran for 165 performances. Passing Strange is a rock musical about a young African American's artistic journey of self-discovery in Europe, drawing on heavy elements of existentialism, metafictional comedy, and the Kunstlerroman. The musical's lyrics and book are by Stew with music and orchestrations by Heidi Rodewald and Stew. It was created in collaboration with director Annie Dorsen. The musical was developed at the Sundance Institute Theatre Lab in 2004 and 2005, one of the only works there ever to be invited back for a second round of development. It had productions in Berkeley, California and Off-Broadway before opening on Broadway in 2008, garnering strong reviews and several awards. Spike Lee filmed the musical on Broadway as a documentary, premiering the film in 2009.

Today in 2008, Passing Strange closed at the Belasco Theatre, where it ran for 165 performances. Passing Strange is a rock musical about a young African American's artistic journey of self-discovery in Europe, drawing on heavy elements of existentialism, metafictional comedy, and the Kunstlerroman. The musical's lyrics and book are by Stew with music and orchestrations by Heidi Rodewald and Stew. It was created in collaboration with director Annie Dorsen. The musical was developed at the Sundance Institute Theatre Lab in 2004 and 2005, one of the only works there ever to be invited back for a second round of development. It had productions in Berkeley, California and Off-Broadway before opening on Broadway in 2008, garnering strong reviews and several awards. Spike Lee filmed the musical on Broadway as a documentary, premiering the film in 2009.

Center Theatre Group presents a discussion between the visionary game designer, futurist and bestselling author of "Reality is Broken," Jane McGonigal, and playwright Jennifer Haley, winner of the 2012 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, at the Veterans Memorial Building in Culver City, Friday, March 8 at 8 p.m. Admission is free, but seating is limited and reservations are required.