Chess Jakobs News

The 42nd Helen Hayes Awards were presented at an event at The Anthem. The awards celebrated productions in the Washington, DC region in the 2025 calendar year.

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, has revealed its inaugural season in the company’s new home at 1012 Church Street in Downtown Evanston.

The 2026 Helen Hayes Award nominations have been announced, recognizing outstanding achievement in Washington-area professional theatre. Arena Stage, Signature Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Round House Theatre, and dozens of regional companies are represented across performance, direction, design, and production categories. The awards highlight the breadth of theatre work presented throughout the D.C. metropolitan area.

Playwright Novid Parsi has been named the recipient of the 2025 Barrie and Bernice Stavis Playwright Award from the National Theatre Conference (NTC), recognizing an outstanding emerging playwright.

Early in my arts management training, I read former Kennedy Center President Michael Kaiser’s book, The Cycle. This arts manifesto is a practical guide on creating and sustaining the arts, and I do recommend it for anyone seeking a career in the field. But I digress.

The cast and creative team of Chess Jakob's world-premiere of The American Five at ​Ford's Theatre has been revealed. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.

Ford's Theatre Director Paul R. Tetreault today announced the Ford's Theatre 2025-2026 season, featuring the world premiere of Chess Jakobs's The American Five, from The Ford's Theatre Legacy Commissions, directed by Aaron Posner; the beloved holiday musical of A Christmas Carol with Craig Wallace reprising the role of Ebenezer Scrooge; and in commemoration of our nation's 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the musical 1776, directed and choreographed by Luis Salgado.

Explore the transformative impact of Broadway Dreams Foundation, where aspiring artists receive mentorship from industry professionals, leading to life-changing connections and career opportunities. Discover success stories and the journey of standout artists like Thea Erichsen.

Take a look back at the readings and talkbacks from The Ford's Theatre Legacy Commissions: A First Look, presented on January 26-27, 2024 at Ford's Theatre!

Ford’s Theatre will present The Ford’s Theatre Legacy Commissions: A First Look on January 26-27, 2024. Learn additional details!

Discover Olney Theatre Center's production of 'Fiddler on the Roof' with a fresh global perspective. This timeless musical explores themes of rising anti-Semitism, Russian aggression, refugee crises, and women's struggles against patriarchal authority. Don't miss this captivating show running from November 8 to December 31 in Olney, Maryland.

Dracula, A Comedy of Terrors by Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen, officially opened at New World Stages last night, September 18. Performances will run through January 7.  Check out photos from the opening night red carpet!