Dana Ivey News

The Actors' Equity Foundation  presented its annual veteran actor award (Richard Seff Award) and breakout performer award (Clarence Derwent Award) at the Actors' Equity Association's Eastern Regional Board meeting today.

Marylouise Burke (True West) and Andre De Shields (Hdestown) are the recipients of the annual Richard Seff Award presented by the Actors' Equity Foundation to veteran female and male character actors for the best performance in a supporting role in a Broadway or Off-Broadway production.  The announcement was made by Judy Rice, president of the Foundation, which administers the award.

Over the course of each Broadway season, unexpected and unique storylines inevitably pop up. This morning, with the announcement of the 2019 Tony Award nominations, a number of new narratives have come to life.

A star-studded cast led by Becky Ann Baker (HBO's 'Girls.'), 5-Time Tony nominee Dana Ivey (off-Broadway's original 'Driving Miss Daisy'), 4-Time Oscar nominee Marsha Mason ('The Goodbye Girl') and Tony winner John Rubinstein ('Children of a Lesser God') starred in a benefit reading of 'The Torch-Bearers' for Bucks County Playhouse. Performances were held in New York at the Westside Theatre on Monday, March 11. and then two days later at Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope on Wednesday, March 13. The reading was the first of three benefit readings that mark the Playhouse's 80th anniversary.

The Acting Company (Founded by John Houseman and Margot Harley; Ian Belknap, Artistic Director; Elisa Spencer-Kaplan, Executive Director) announced today complete casting for the first reading in the 23rd John McDonald Salon Reading Series, Lillian Hellman's acclaimed drama Watch on the Rhine. The reading will take place on Monday, March 18 at 7 PM at the Mainstage Theater at Playwrights Horizons (416 W. 42nd Street, New York, NY). Tickets are available now online at www.theactingcompany.org.

The Acting Company announced today initial casting for the first reading in the 23rd John McDonald Salon Reading Series, Lillian Hellman's acclaimed drama Watch on the Rhine.

A star-studded cast led by Becky Ann Baker (HBO's 'Girls.'), 5-Time Tony nominee Dana Ivey (off-Broadway's original 'Driving Miss Daisy'), 4-Time Oscar nominee Marsha Mason ('The Goodbye Girl') and Tony winner John Rubinstein ('Children of a Lesser God') will star in a benefit reading of 'The Torch-Bearers' for Bucks County Playhouse. Performances will be held in New York at the Westside Theatre on Monday, March 11 at 7:00 p.m. and then two days later at Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope on Wednesday, March 13 at 7:00 pm.  The reading is the first of three benefit readings that will mark the Playhouse's 80th anniversary.

Mia Katigbak has received the annual St. Clair Bayfield Award presented by the Actors' Equity Foundation for her performance as The Duke of Gloucester in NAATCO's production of Henry VI. The announcement was made by Judy Rice, President of the Foundation, and Joan Glazer, Managing Director.

The Theater Hall of Fame has announced its 2018 Inductees which include actors Rene Auberjonais, Christine Baranski, and Cicely Tyson; playwrights Maria Irene Fornes, David Henry Hwang, and Adrienne Kennedy; director Joe Mantello, and posthumously James Houghton.

Playing On Air announced today the three winners of the inaugural James Stevenson Prize for comedic short plays. First Prize ($7,500, plus a Playing On Air recording for radio and podcast distribution) has been awarded to Hate Baby by Gracie Gardner. (Gardner is also the winner of the 2017 Relentless Award and author of the New York Times Critic's Pick Athena.) Second Prize ($2,000) has been awarded to Hedgehog Years by Lily Akerman. Third Prize ($1,000) has been awarded to Horse Latitudes (Who Wants to be an Equine Extra?) by Elizabeth Logun.

On Wednesday October 10, LAMDA Alumnus John Lithgow and LAMDA Chair The Rt Hon Shaun Woodward launched the American Friends of LAMDA (AFLAMDA) West Coast Program at the drama school's annual US showcase in West Hollywood. LAMDA is committed to selecting the most talented students, regardless of background or financial circumstance. Patrons will join the program for $1500 or $2500 a year, with their support contributing to LAMDA's Scholarship Fund to assist American students.

The Theater Hall of Fame has announced its 2018 Inductees which include actors Rene Auberjonais, Christine Baranski, and Cicely Tyson; playwrights Maria Irene Fornes, David Henry Hwang, and Adrienne Kennedy; director Joe Mantello, and posthumously James Houghton.

When there is a sick child in a family, says playwright Anne Marilyn Lucas, an entire family revolves around the child's illness.  In 2016 more American lives were taken by drug overdoses than were lost in the Vietnam War, according to the Centers for Disease Control, and deaths increased by 10.7%, to 72,000, the following year. 

LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) present the final productions of its graduating MA students. Six upcoming directors will present a season of six plays from 23 August to 7 September, showcasing the work of students on the MA Directing course. MA Classical Acting graduates will perform the Shakespeare Season, running from 14 to 19 September.

BroadwayHD, the premier streaming service for live theater productions, exclusively streamed ANN, the critically acclaimed play written and performed by Emmy Award winning actress Holland Taylor and directed by Benjamin Endsley Klein, beginning yesterday, June 14. The special screening event was also held last night, and featured the show's star Holland Taylor. BroadwayWorld was in attendance, and you can check out photos below!

Red Bull Theater (Jesse Berger, Artistic Director | Jim Bredeson, Managing Director) today announced the cast for the next REVELATION READING, The Clandestine Marriage by David Garrick and George Colman the Elder, directed by Marc Vietor: Scott Aiello, Mark Linn-Baker, Nick Choksi, Kelly Hutchinson, Dana Ivey, Talene Monahon, Reg Rogers, Ryan Spahn, Katy Sullivan, Dina Thomas and CJ Wilson.  This will take place on Monday June 18th at 7:30 PM at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street, between Bleecker and Hudson Streets).

Playing On Air announced today the names of the three celebrity guests joining sponsor Josie Merck on the jury for their inaugural James Stevenson Prize, which will award three monetary prizes for new short comedic plays that honor and perpetuate the spirit and wit of Mr. Stevenson.

The 8th Annual Shakespeare's Birthday Sonnet Slam is being held tomorrow, Friday, April 27th from 1-4pm at the Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park. Notable Sonnet readers this year include Michael Urie, Dana Ivey, Brian Soliwoda as C.P. Shakes and Perdita, the pigeon, Peter Francis James, American painter Gerri Davis and Award-winning Orchestrator Michael Starobin. The Sonnet Slam features 154 readers of all ages performing all 154 of Shakespeare's Sonnets in numerical order. The event is free to the public. This year, the kickoff Reader for Sonnet #1 will be Tony Award-nominee and Drama Desk-winner Kathleen Chalfant (Angels in America, Wit, Showtime's The Affair).

The 8th Annual Shakespeare's Birthday Sonnet Slam being held Friday, April 27th from 1-4pm at the Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park has added Michael Urie, Dana Ivey and many others to the festivities. The Sonnet Slam features 154 readers of all ages performing all 154 of Shakespeare's Sonnets in numerical order.  The event is free to the public. This year, the kickoff Reader for Sonnet #1 will be Tony Award-nominee and Drama Desk-winner Kathleen Chalfant (Angels in America, Wit, Showtime's The Affair).

April is Shakespeare month! Marking both his birthday and passing on April 23rd, BroadwayHD, the premiere streaming platform for live theater, is highlighting its definitive collection of Shakespeare's productions.