Black consumers are speaking directly to brands in unprecedented ways and achieving headline-making results. Throughout 2017, popular brands witnessed the power of Black Twitter and the brand impact of socially conscious Black consumers. Through social media, Black consumers have brokered a seat at the table and are demanding that brands and marketers speak to them in ways that resonate culturally and experientially-if these brands want their business. And with African Americans spending $1.2 trillion annually, brands have a lot to lose.
Lolita Chakrabarti's award-winning play is based on the life of the Ira Aldridge, an African-American actor who had an international career in the 1800s.
Writer, director, performer, poet and jazz singer Cheryl Martin is taking her Billie Holiday inspired show Who Wants to Live Forever? on tour this year, following the show's success in Manchester last Autumn.
The Luna Stage Board of Directors announces the departure of Cheryl Katz, Luna's Artistic Director. Cheryl Katz who has been a staff member for over 15 years and Artistic Director for the last 5 years has decided to step down at the end of the current 2017/18 season. To succeed Ms. Katz, the Board has chosen Ari Laura Kreith, who comes to Luna from Theater 167 in New York. She will become Artistic Director at the conclusion of the current season.
Akeelah and the Bee was first seen on the big screen in 2006. Written and directed by Doug Atchison, the film follows the journey of a young girl, Akeelah Anderson, who overcomes a variety of challenges to participate in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. The film was adapted for the stage by playwright Cheryl West and first appeared on stage in 2015. This inspiring, family-friendly show is directed by Sharia Benn and Stuart Landon and produced in partnership with Sankofa African American Theatre Company at Open Stage Harrisburg. In a fitting introduction not only to Sankofa African American Theatre Company but also to Akeelah and the Bee, Sharia Benn stated that our community, our nation, and our world need opportunities like the ones presented by theatre to 'understand that even though we are different, we are so much the same.'
Victory Gardens Theater, under the leadership of Artistic Director Chay Yew and Managing Director Erica Daniels, announces the lineup for its 2018-2019 Season. Victory Gardens' 44th Season will include the Tony Award-nominated play Indecent by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel; the Chicago premieres of Pipeline by Dominique Morisseau and Cambodian Rock Band by Lauren Yee; and the world premieres of Rightlynd by Ike Holter and Miriam for President by Madhuri Shekar.
Children's Theatre Company is proud to announce its 2018-2019 Season, which includes eight productions, four commissioned premieres, three musicals, and one preschool production. The season consists of 3 ½ more weeks of performances over last year's schedule and includes summer programming.
Writer, director, performer, poet and jazz singer Cheryl Martin is taking her Billie Holiday inspired show Who Wants to Live Forever? on tour this year, following the show's success in Manchester last Autumn.
The New 42nd Street will honor J.K. Rowling in absentia with the New Victory Arts Award and host a benefit performance of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at The Lyric Theatre for its annual gala on Saturday, May 12, 2018. The event, which includes a strolling supper at The New Victory Theater, will provide critical support to the nonprofit's award-winning arts education and youth employment programs.
Birdland Jazz Club announces March 2018 schedule featuring Steps Ahead Meets Soulbop, Cyrus Chestnut Quartet, Jane Bunnett and Maqueque, Steve Smith 'Groove: Blue' Organ Trio, The Tristano Project, Laila Biali, Cynthia Sayer, Corcoran Holt, Anita Gillette, Jim Caruso's Cast Party, and more!
BoucharDanse proudly presents HISTOIRE D'AMOUR, a dance theatre trio exploring the feeling of love through the ages. The show is directed by award-winning multidisciplinary artist Marie-Josee Chartier, performed by Sylvie Bouchard, Brendan Wyatt and Vincent Leblanc-Beaudoin, and is composed of vignettes created by top Canadian choreographers Julia Aplin, Susie Burpee, Louis-Martin Charest, Denise Fujiwara, Sylvie Bouchard and Louis Laberge-Cote. The production is part of the NextSteps Contemporary Dance Series, onstage from April 5 - 7, 2018 at the Harbourfront Centre Theatre, with performances in French and in English.
In partnership, the Illinois Arts Council Agency (IACA) and Arts Alliance Illinois are excited to announce that the next One State Together in the Arts conference will be held in Galesburg, Illinois on October 22 and 23, 2018. Additional pre-conference events for the Illinois Local Arts Network on October 21 will kick off the tenth occasion of this statewide convening for the arts, culture, and creativity.
The musical A LETTER TO HARVEY MILK will debut Off-Broadway at Theatre Row's Acorn Theatre (410 W 42 Street), beginning performances on February 21, opening on March 6, running through May 13, 2018. Tickets are $79 - $99 and can be purchased at Telecharge.com or by calling 212-239-6200.
Flint Youth Theatre - Michigan's Professional Theatre for Young Audiences presents "Akeelah and the Bee," based on the screenplay by Doug Atchison and adapted for the stage by Cheryl L. West. Performances begin Saturday, February 10 and run through Sunday, February 25. Tickets are now on sale.
SHOWTIME has announced that Judy Greer (Married) has been cast as a series regular in the upcoming SHOWTIME half-hour comedy KIDDING. Greer joins Golden Globe® winner Jim Carrey, in Carrey's first series regular role in more than two decades, along with Oscar®, Emmy® and Golden Globe nominee Catherine Keener (Get Out) and Oscar, Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Frank Langella (Frost/Nixon). Greer will play Jill, Jeff's estranged wife who has recently hit a rebellious streak.
Fifteen years after its world premiere at McCarter Theatre Center, Crowns is returning. When Yolanda's brother is killed on the streets of Chicago, the shaken teenager is sent to live with her grandmother in South Carolina, where she embarks on a journey toward discovering her place in the world, and in her family. Produced in association with Long Wharf Theatre, Crowns runs March 13 - April 1 in McCarter's Matthews Theatre.
Les Dames d'Escoffier Hawaii Chapter is holding its annual fundraiser, "Roots Run Deep" on Sunday, March 18, 2018 at Mari's Gardens to benefit their "Dames who Donate" Scholarship Fund. Chef Vivian Howard was last year's James Beard Award winner for Outstanding Personality/Host for her work in PBS' popular show 'A Chef's Life,' and is a four-time James Beard semifinalist for Best Chef in America: Southeast. Vivian, a Dame herself, will be joined by local Chef Ed Kenney, who hosts his own Emmy Award winning PBS show, "Family Ingredients." Ed is also a four-time James Beard semifinalist for Best Chef in America: West. The evening will feature Kenney and Howard alongside some of the members of the Hawaii chapter of Les Dames d'Escoffier, including Lee Anne Wong, Michelle Karr-Ueoka, Jackie Lau, Maria Short and Abigail Langlas among many others.
It's a powerful work and one of the strongest offerings to date in the ongoing Women's Voices Theater Festival. Under Adam Immerwahr's impeccable direction, a supremely talented cast brings out the best of the exceptional script.
