Diversity News

Miami City Ballet today announced the appointment of Julii Oh as the new Chief Marketing Officer, joining one of the nation's premier ballet companies on June 18. Oh, who led marketing at the New York Philharmonic for 14 years, is a seasoned arts administrator with deep knowledge of the visual and performing arts industry.

Following an extensive nationwide search, American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) Board of Trustees today namedJennifer Bielstein the new executive director of San Francisco's premier nonprofit theater organization. Bielstein succeeds Peter Pastreich who will depart from American Conservatory Theater at the end of the 2017-18 season.

Seeker, the no.1 most-engaged science publisher on social in the U.S., announced today a new expedition, “The Swim,” in partnership with Discovery and produced in association with Nomadica Films. The expedition features long-distance swimmer Ben Lecomte as he embarks on a historic 5,000-mile long swim across thePacific Ocean in an effort to gain awareness on the state of ocean health from pollution.

Writers from The Rundown with Robin Thede, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, Law & Order: SVU and Sesame Street today met with New York State legislators to support a diversity bill that would allocate up to $5 million towards the hiring of women and/or people of color to write or direct television in New York.

Mei-Ann Chen, Music Director of Chicago Sinfonietta and Jim Hirsch, CEO of Chicago Sinfonietta, have announced the orchestra's programming for 2018-19---Chicago Sinfonietta's 31st season and Chen's eighth year on the podium.

Presented by State Auto Insurance Companies, a Lincoln Theatre Walk of Fame induction ceremony will be held on Saturday, July 28, at 7pm, to memorialize the three visionaries responsible for the historic Lincoln Theatre's rescue, renovation, and 2009 reopening-Michael B. Coleman, Bill Conner, and Larry James.

Veteran actors, Paul Guilfoyle (CSI, LA Confidential) and Lainie Kazan (My Big Fat Greek Wedding) star opposite each other in a new dramedy by award-winning writer/director/producer, Linda Palmer.

Broadway Match Maker, a bone marrow donor database drive, will be held on Wednesday, June 27th from 4:30-7:00pm at The Actors Fund Friedman Health Center for the Performing Arts (729 7th Avenue, 12th Floor). All members of Broadway's diverse community are encouraged to join the donor database through a non-invasive 60-second simple cheek swab. Disney's The Lion King is partnering with Shannon's S.H.A.R.E. Foundation, The Actors Fund, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, and Mount Sinai Doctors for the event.

Nationally-recognized as one of the nation's leading producers of new works of theatre for young people and their families, The Coterie Theatre announces its 40th Anniversary Season will entertain, engage, and serve as memorable experiences that all generations of the family can share. Highlighted in the season of two plays and four musicals, selected by Producing Artistic Director, Jeff Church, will be the world premiere of a new play about a teenaged Martin Luther King Jr., by noted local screenwriter and playwright, Kevin Willmott, and a new musical inspired by music made famous by The Beatles.

The Saints, Volunteers for the Performing Arts, have announced that they are awarding more than $52,000 in grants to 16 performing arts groups in the Chicago metropolitan area for 2018.  The grants were awarded to dance, music and theater organizations for 2018-19 projects. Over the last twenty-five years, the Saints have given more than $985,000 to over 250 companies and venues.

The Howard Community College (HCC) Theatre Program presents William Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night." The show will take place at HCC's Dreier Stage, located outdoors, behind the Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center (HVPA), with performances June 28-30. Directed by Theatre Department Chair Bill Gillett, "Twelfth Night" will feature current HCC students and guest artists, who will bring this wonderful play to life. "Twelfth Night" is a beguiling comedy that follows the romantic adventures of Viola and her twin Sebastian, both shipwrecked in the seaside dukedom of Illyria.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater kicks off the 65th Anniversary Season with the four-time Tony Award- winning musical In the Heights with the music and lyrics by Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda and book by Quiara Alegria Hudes. In order to avoid Hamilton- like ticket prices, buy tickets on the One Day Sale Monday, June 18 and save 25% off all adult tickets when using promotional code HEIGHTS.

THE TALK returns live after a week of pre-taped episodes, and host Sara Gilbert reacts to the news of her show 'Roseanne' being canceled after star Roseanne posted a racist tweet last week. Gilbert says, 'In addition to my statement, I would like to say this has been a very difficult week. A lot of people have been hurt by this. I will say I'm proud of the show we made. This show has always been about diversity, love and inclusion. And it's sad to see it end in this way. I'm sad for the people who lost their jobs in the process. However, I do stand behind the decision ABC made.' Sheryl Underwood reacts, 'As a black woman who is a comedienne... I'm happy to see that it was done swiftly.' Julie Chen adds, 'Canceling the show so quickly sent a strong message and the right message.'

Applications are now open for Access Theater's 2018-2019 Residency Program.

Make Music Day, the annual global celebration of music occurring each June 21, today announced its full schedule of over 4,500 free outdoor concerts, music lessons, jam sessions and other exciting music-making events - with more to come - in more than 80 U.S. cities. The all-day musical celebration on the summer solstice, which brings people of all styles, ages and skill levels together to make and enjoy music, has become a worldwide phenomenon observed by hundreds of millions of people in 800 cities in 120 countries. U.S. cities hosting major celebrations include New York City, Los Angeles, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Hartford, Madison, Miami, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Philadelphia, Salem (OR) and Nashville. Additionally, major buildings and landmarks in participating U.S. cities will turn orange in honor of Make Music Day.

Today, the Association of National Advertisers (ANA), the largest marketing and advertising association in the United States, announced that it has presented its first #SeeHer programming award to the hit NBC family drama This Is Us. The award, to be given out annually, honors primetime programming that pushes boundaries on changing stereotypes and recognizes the importance of women and girls in media.

The following is the unofficial transcript of an EXCLUSIVE CNBC interview with McDonald's CEO and President Steve Easterbrook and CNBC's Carl Quintanilla on CNBC's 'Squawk on the Street' (M-F 9AM - 11AM) today, Monday, June 4th. Watch video from the interview on CNBC.com here!

On Saturday, Sim announced a major 30-year sponsorship with the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) with increased programming and resources to support this vibrant community for the long term. Sim, an end-to-end solution for storytellers in film and television, and the ASC, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the art of cinematography, come together with the shared goal of driving visual storytelling forward. As part of the relationship, the ASC Clubhouse courtyard will now be renamed Sim Plaza.

Tony Award-winner Kenny Leon directed numerous Broadway hits including, 'Hairspray Live' and 'Fences.' His most recent production, 'Children of a Lesser God,' is nominated for a Tony. Throughout his decades-long career, Leon's work focused on diversity, inclusion and influencing social change. Leon joins 'CBS This Morning' to discuss his new memoir, 'Take You Wherever You Go,' where he writes about his humble beginnings. Check out the clip below! 

Coventry music star Tom Clarke will make his first foray into theatre this year with a brand new musical drama opening at the Belgrade Theatre next season.