Charlayne Woodard News

Stellar acting is one reason to see the show even if the overall script is problematic.

No, it's not "Sybil", just one 13 year old girl with a lot to say about the crazy people in her life. That's the central premise for the World Premiere of Elizabeth Heffron's "Bo-Nita" currently playing at the Seattle Rep. And while the ending left me wanting a little, what comes before is a fascinating look at some very interesting characters all coming out of the mouth of one very gifted actress.

The William & Eva Fox Foundation and Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for theatre, have announced the eighth round of Fox Foundation Resident Actor Fellowship recipients. The program is designed to support actors' professional and artistic development, to enrich relationships between actors and nonprofit theatres and to ensure continued professional commitment to live theatre. Funded by the Fox Foundation and administered by TCG, the fellowship is one of only a few programs of its kind for actors in the country.

The Dramatists Guild of America recently held their Second National Conference Having Our Say: Our History, Our Future, on August 22-25, 2013 in Chicago, IL. The conference included keynote speeches, legal and business seminars, workshops, and conversations with theatre elite. Participating Council and visiting artists include Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Gretchen Cryer, Rebecca Gilman, Carol Hall, Winnie Holzman, David Ives, Lisa Kron, Martha Lavey, Bobby Lopez, Terrence McNally, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Marsha Norman, Theresa Rebeck, Stephen Schwartz, Jeff Sweet, John Weidman, George C. Wolfe, and Charlayne Woodard. Check out a look back at the national conference below!

The Dramatists Guild of America is pleased to announce their Second National Conference Having Our Say: Our History, Our Future, which will be held from today, August 22-25, 2013 in Chicago, IL.

The Dramatists Guild of America is pleased to announce their Second National Conference Having Our Say: Our History, Our Future, which will be held from August 22-25, 2013 in Chicago, IL. The conference will include keynote speeches, legal and business seminars, workshops, and conversations with theatre elite. Participating Council and visiting artists include Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Gretchen Cryer, Rebecca Gilman, Carol Hall, Winnie Holzman, David Ives, Lisa Kron, Martha Lavey, Bobby Lopez, Terrence McNally, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Marsha Norman, Theresa Rebeck, Stephen Schwartz, Jeff Sweet, John Weidman, George C. Wolfe, and Charlayne Woodard.

La Jolla Playhouse announces the cast and creative team for His Girl Friday, adapted by John Guare (Six Degrees of Separation, House of Blue Leaves) from the Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur play The Front Page and the Columbia Pictures film His Girl Friday. Directed by Playhouse Artistic Director Christopher Ashley (Glengarry Glen Ross, Memphis), the production will kick off the 2013/2014 season, running May 28 - June 30 in the Playhouse's Mandell Weiss Theatre.

The Geffen Playhouse announces the remaining production in its 2013/2014 season will feature acclaimed actress Annette Bening performing a selection of monologues created and first performed by Ruth Draper. A pioneer in 20th century drama, Ruth Draper was described as, "the greatest individual performer that America has ever given."

When a group of actors gathers to give a presentation on a distant genocide, they realize that summaries are not enough. In their attempt to delve into history, they struggle with stereotype, fear and their own personal histories, uncovering the potential for brutality in all of us. Joseph Stern and The Matrix Theatre Company present the West Coast premiere of a brave, chilling and very funny new work by Jackie Sibblies Drury."We Are Proud to Present a Presentation About the Herero of Namibia, Formerly Known as South-West Africa, From the German Sudwestafrika, Between the Years 1884-1915" opens on June 8.

La Jolla Playhouse announces the cast and creative team for His Girl Friday, adapted by John Guare (Six Degrees of Separation, House of Blue Leaves) from the Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur play The Front Page and the Columbia Pictures film His Girl Friday. Directed by Playhouse Artistic Director Christopher Ashley (Glengarry Glen Ross, Memphis), the production will kick off the 2013/2014 season, running May 28 - June 30 in the Playhouse's Mandell Weiss Theatre.

Tribes celebrated its Opening Night on Sunday, March 10 at the Mark Taper Forum. Written by Nina Raine, the CTG and Barrow Street Theatre production is directed by David Cromer in the play's West Coast Premiere. Celebrities such as Guillermo Diaz, Jonathan Groff, Deidre Hall, Ian Harding, Jane Kaczmarek, Alan Mandell, Ron Perlman, Jeff Perry, Nina Raine (playwright), Peter Roth, Joan Van Ark and Charlayne Woodard attended the opening festivities, and BroadwayWorld has photos below!

The Dramatists Guild of America held their annual awards ceremony last evening at The Lambs Club in New York. The awards ceremony was hosted by Lisa Kron and featured a performance by Kenita Miller. BroadwayWorld has photos from the event below!

The Dramatists Guild Fund presented their Madge Evans and Sidney Kingsley Award to actress Linda Lavin and playwright Lynn Nottage this past Monday evening. The awards were presented by Dramatists Guild Fund Board Member Terrence McNally at an intimate salon with award-winning composer Charles Strouse. BroadwayWorld has a photo of the honorees below!

The U.S. premiere of 'Backbeat,' the dramatic new play with music about the birth of one of the greatest rock 'n' roll bands in history, the Beatles, opened last night, January 30, 2013, and continues through March 1, 2013. BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening curtain call and celebration below!

The Old Globe previously announced that Joshua Elijah Reese will play the role of Ogun Henri Size in the Southern California premiere of The Brothers Size by award-winning playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney.

La Jolla Playhouse announces a new play development initiative, the DNA New Work Series, entailing a six-week period of workshop productions and public readings of new plays and musicals, taking place today, January 24 through March 3, 2013. The focus of the DNA New Work Series is to allow playwrights and directors the opportunity to develop a script by providing rehearsal time, space and resources, culminating in a workshop production or public reading.

The Los Angeles Women's Theatre Festival (LAWTF) will present its star-studded Emerald Anniversary, 'A Perfect 20!' marking 20 years producing close to 500 extraordinary multicultural and multi-disciplined solo performers from around the globe.

The Old Globe today announced that Joshua Elijah Reese will play the role of Ogun Henri Size in the Southern California premiere of The Brothers Size by award-winning playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney.

Directors Lab West Steering Committee has announced the dates for the 14th annual Directors Lab West. The 2013 Lab will take place May 18-25 in residence at Pasadena Playhouse. The Lab will continue its tradition of bringing together dedicated theatre directors, choreographers and master artists for a week of intense discussions and exploration of the art form.

Join L.A. Theatre Works (LATW) for an evening of Pride & Prejudice at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, January 25, 8:00 PM. The production features Jane Carr and Nicholas Hormann. Tickets, ranging from $55-$20, are available at the CCPA Ticket Office, by calling (562) 467-8818, or going to www.cerritoscenter.com. The $55 seats are sold out.