Damian Woetzel News

Following the overwhelming success of New York City Center's sold out FALL FOR DANCE FESTIVAL last year in Central Park, New York City Center will once again present two free evenings of dance in association with The Public Theater at The Delacorte on Friday, September 12 and Saturday, September 13 at 8:00 p.m.

On Monday, October 20, 2014, Sing for Hope (www.singforhope.org) will present its eighth annual Sing for Hope Gala, uniting New York's philanthropic and cultural leaders for a magical evening in support of Sing for Hope's programs that bring the arts to under-resourced areas. The event will be co-chaired by Marina Kellen French, Margie Loeb, and Ann Ziff, and will take place at the beautiful Tribeca Rooftop in downtown Manhattan.

Washington National Opera (WNO) presents the world premiere of An American Soldier, June 13-14, 2014 in the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater. An American Soldier features music by composer Huang Ruo and a libretto by David Henry Hwang. This new work, to be performed in English, is the second hourlong opera created under the auspices of the American Opera Initiative, WNO's commissioning program for contemporary American opera. An American Soldier is directed by David Paul and a chamber orchestra is conducted by Steven Jarvi; both are alumni of WNO's Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program.

The School of American Ballet's Workshop Performance Benefit 2014 on Tuesday, June 3, 2014 celebrated 50 years of these annual performances and raised nearly $860,000 for scholarships and school programs. The evening began with cocktails at 5:30pm in Juilliard's Morse Hall, followed by the presentation of the Mae L. Wien Award for Outstanding Service to Dena Abergel, SAB faculty member and NYCB Children's Ballet Master, and Wien Awards for Outstanding Promise to Lyrica Blankfein, Christopher Grant, Baily Jones, and Addie Tapp. Scroll down for photos from the event!

Music Theatre International (MTI) and iTheatrics recently joined First Lady Michelle Obama at the White House to support The President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities' (PCAH) successful Turnaround Arts initiative, a program designed to help turn around low-performing schools, narrow the achievement gap, and increase student engagement through the arts. The program was celebrated at the White House with a special showcase of various schools from around the country who have benefitted from the initiative.

Dance Against Cancer raised more than $200,000 for the American Cancer Society on Monday, May 5, 2014. Proceeds from the evening will benefit research initiatives and patient and family service programs. More than 500 guests attended the fourth annual Dance Against Cancer. VIP guests enjoyed cocktails, preferred seating, and a gift bag in addition to the performance and post-event reception. The performance featured new work by Brian Reeder created for American Ballet Theatre's Isabella Boylston with New York City Ballet's Chase Finlay and Amar Ramasar, Paul Taylor Dance Company in its first appearance at the benefit, Charles 'Lil Buck' Riley performed with students from National Dance Institute, and included the NYC premiere of Justin Peck's Sea Change. Scroll down for photos from the performances!

Washington National Opera (WNO) presents the world premiere of An American Soldier, June 13-14, 2014 in the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater. An American Soldier features music by composer Huang Ruo and a libretto by David Henry Hwang. This new work, to be performed in English, is the second hourlong opera created under the auspices of the American Opera Initiative, WNO's commissioning program for contemporary American opera. An American Soldier is directed by David Paul and a chamber orchestra is conducted by Steven Jarvi; both are alumni of WNO's Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program.

New York City Ballet announced today that JR, the prize-winning artist and creator of NYCB's 2014 Art Series installation, The Eye of New York City Ballet, will next collaborate with the Company on an original theatrical work that will premiere tonight, April 29, on the opening night of the Company's 2014 Spring Season.

Ballet Hispanico raised more than $1 million in support of the company's artistic and educational work in New York City and around the country at their 2014 Gala on Monday, April 7, 2014. During the evening, Ballet Hispanico proudly honored the Ford Foundation with the Civic Inspiration Award. Proceeds from the evening, which totaled over $1 million, will benefit the creation of new Company works, need-based financial aid and merit scholarships in the Ballet Hispanico School of Dance, and community arts education programs.

Philadelphia, PA

New York City Ballet announced today that JR, the prize-winning artist and creator of NYCB's 2014 Art Series installation, The Eye of New York City Ballet, will next collaborate with the Company on an original theatrical work that will premiere on Tuesday, April 29, on the opening night of the Company's 2014 Spring Season.

New York Live Arts today announced Bill Chats, a series of free conversations featuring Bill T. Jones, Executive Artistic Director of New York Live Arts, in dialogue with noted artists, scholars and critics from the field of dance and other disciplines on key topics facing the community today. The first Bill Chat, presented in collaboration with The Aspen Institute Arts Program, will take place on January 26 at 5:00pm, with following events on March 9 at 5:00pm and March 23 at 5:00pm, in New York Live Arts' Theater.

The winners of the 4th Annual Clive Barnes Award were announced Monday, January 6 at The Walter Reade Theatre, Lincoln Centre. This year's Theatre Award, presented by Susan Stroman was given to Jonny Orsini for his performance in The Nance. This year's Dance Award, presented by Wendy Whelan, was given to Lloyd Mayor of Martha Graham Dance Company.

Susan Stroman and Wendy Whelan are set to host the 2014 Clive Barnes Awards, which will be held on January 6 (3pm), at the Walter Reade Theatre. This years' nominees for theatre are Aaron Clifton Moten for his performance in The Flick, Jonny Orsini for his performance in The Nance, Phillipa Soo for her performance in Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812, and Amber Iman for her performance in Soul Doctor. This year's nominees for dance are Talli Jackson (Bill T. Jones/ Arnie Zane Dance Company), Lloyd Mayor (Martha Graham Dance Company), Xiaochuan Xie (Martha Graham Dance Company), and Calvin Royal III(American Ballet THeatre.)

Juilliard Dance, under the direction of Lawrence Rhodes, presents New Dances PLUS: Edition 2013 from tonight, December 11-15, 2013featuring Juilliard alumna Pina Bausch's Wind von West (Wind from the West) performed by 4th-Year Dancers, plus three world premiere commissions created for each of the classes of Juilliard's Dance Division.

Juilliard Dance, under the direction of Lawrence Rhodes, presents New Dances PLUS: Edition 2013 from December 11-15, 2013featuring Juilliard alumna Pina Bausch's Wind von West (Wind from the West) performed by 4th-Year Dancers, plus three world premiere commissions created for each of the classes of Juilliard's Dance Division. This year's innovative choreographers are Juilliard alumnus Takehiro Ueyama (1st-Year Dancers); Brian Brooks (2nd-Year Dancers); and Juilliard alumnus Darrell Grand Moultrie (3rd-Year Dancers).

The Clive Barnes Foundation has announced the nominees for the 2012 Clive Barnes Awards, a distinguished annual honor recognizing the work of young actors and dancers in New York City.

In two curated weekends and two different programs, Peridance Presents will feature the following companies: Brice Mousset's OUI Danse, Nathan Trice/RITUALS, Emery LeCrone & Dancers, Enzo Celli's Celli Contemporary Ballet, SHANNON GILLEN + GUESTS and Peridance Contemporary Dance Company.

On Monday, October 28, 2013, Sing for Hope celebrated its 7th annual gala in New York City in a multi-level Chelsea loft space punctuated by brilliantly colored Sing for Hope Pianos and vivid art photographs. Nearly 400 guests gathered to support Sing for Hope's arts outreach programs that democratize the arts and ignite the spark of creative innovation in all people. Scroll down for photos from the event!

The Public Theater announced that Academy Award winner Holly Hunter has joined the first Public Forum Drama Club, Life By Asphyxiation by Kia Corthron, on Sunday, October 20 at 7:00 p.m. at Joe's Pub, kicking off the fourth season of PUBLIC FORUM.