Elisa Spencer News

The Acting Company (Ian Belknap, Artistic Director; Elisa Spencer-Kaplan, Executive Director) presents William Shakespeare's beloved comedy, Twelfth Night, directed by Tony nominee Maria Aitken (The 39 Steps) with a dynamic cast of The Acting Company alumni and ensemble members of Delaware's Resident Ensemble Players (REP). When her ship is wrecked, Viola washes ashore in the unfamiliar land of Illyria and embarks on a journey to find her lost brother. Brimming with music, love and longing, Shakespeare's enchanting play transports audiences to a world of comedic mayhem, mistaken identity and unrequited passion. This co-production with the Resident Ensemble Players comes to Polonsky Shakespeare Center (262 Ashland Pl, Brooklyn), May 10-27.

In response to popular demand, The Acting Company (Ian Belknap, Artistic Director; Elisa Spencer-Kaplan, Executive Director) extends their acclaimed production of playwright/poet Marcus Gardley's X: Or, Betty Shabazz v. the Nation through February 25, 2018. Coinciding with African Heritage Month, the Ian Belknap-directed play deepens our understanding of one of America's most complex, compelling historical figures, and explores the tumultuous landscape of ideology and activism in the 1960s. 

The Acting Company honored playwright John Guare and film and theater producer/philanthropist Anne L. Bernstein - two individuals whose exemplary work aligns with the artistic and educational ideals of the widely acclaimed touring repertory company that promotes theater and arts education nationwide - at the Company's 2017 Winter Gala on December 4. BroadwayWorld has photos from the event below!

The Acting Company presents their acclaimed production of playwright/poet Marcus Gardley's X: Or, Betty Shabazz v. the Nation in a full Off-Broadway run, January 14-February 18, 2018, at the Theatre at St. Clement's.

The Acting Company has announced its 2017-18 season, which exemplifies the venerable organization's commitment to cultivating a national audience for the theater with exceptional touring productions of classical and new works; developing the best young American actors by giving them an opportunity to practice their craft in a wide-ranging repertory; and educating students that have limited access to the arts.

On the heels of winning its second Ross Wetzsteon Award for Sustained Excellence at the 2017 OBIE Awards, Theatre for a New Audience (TFANA; Jeffrey Horowitz, Founding Artistic Director) have just announced its 2017-18 season.

Angela Lansbury will appear in The Chalk Garden, after all!

The Acting Company celebrated the opening of X: Or, Betty Shabazz v. The Nation in rep with Julius Caesar at The New Victory Theater on Friday night at Red Rooster on Malcolm X Blvd. in Harlem. Scroll down for photos from the festivities!

The Acting Company announces its 2016-17 season and 44th national tour featuring two new gripping dramas in repertory -- the world premiere of Marcus Gardley's X: Or, Betty Shabazz vs. The Nation and William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. Both will be staged in an exciting artistic and educational collaboration with the Towson University, Morgan State University, Community College of Baltimore County, Bowie State University and area high schools and community partners.

UMKC Theatre and The Acting Company is pleased to present a new artistic and educational collaboration as part of its 2016-17 season and 44th national tour featuring two new gripping dramas in repertory -- the world premiere of Marcus Gardley's X: Or, Betty Shabazz vs. The Nation and William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar.

The Acting Company announces its 2016-17 season and 44th national tour featuring two new gripping dramas in repertory -- the world premiere of Marcus Gardley's X: Or, Betty Shabazz vs. The Nation and William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. Both will be staged in an exciting artistic and educational collaboration with University of Missouri-Kansas City, University of Kansas, University of Central Missouri, University of Missouri-Columbia and area high schools and community partners.

The Acting Company (Ian Belknap, Artistic Director; Elisa Spencer-Kaplan, Executive Director) will continue its 2016-2017 John McDonald Salon Series with a reading of Karel Capek's influential science fiction comedy R.U.R. on Monday, February 13th at 7 PM at the Marjorie S. Deane Little Theater at the West Side YMCA, 10 W. 64th Street, New York, NY.

UMKC Theatre and The Acting Company is pleased to present a new artistic and educational collaboration as part of its 2016-17 season and 44th national tour featuring two new gripping dramas in repertory -- the world premiere of Marcus Gardley's X: Or, Betty Shabazz vs. The Nation and William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar.

The Acting Company will kick off its 2017 season and 44th national tour with engagements in the Valley during the week of Jan. 31- Feb. 4. Two gripping dramas, Marcus Gardley's X and William Shakespeare's Julius Caesarwill be performed as part of a unique collaboration with Arizona State University's Herberger School of Film, Dance and Theatre, Herberger Theater Center, Mesa Arts Center and The Acting Company.

The Acting Company announces its 2016-17 season and 44th national tour featuring two new gripping dramas in repertory -- the world premiere of Marcus Gardley's X and William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. Both will be staged in an exciting artistic and educational collaboration with nearly 30 universities, colleges and community partners. The Company also has announced a five month, monthly Monday night Salon Reading Series in New York City.

Liz Callaway, the Emmy Award-winning actress, singer and recording artist is set to perform as part of The Acting Company's annual gala.

The Acting Company will honor legendary theatrical director Mark Lamos and distinguished patron of the arts J. Barclay Collins at its annual gala Monday, October 17, at New York's Metropolitan Club, One East 60th St.

With today's news on the passing of playwright Peter Shaffer, The Acting Company will be dedicating their one night only staged reading of Lettice and Lovage on Monday, June 13 at 7 p.m. to his memory.  Angela Lansbury and Dana Ivey will head an all-star cast featuring Patricia Connolly and original Broadway cast member, Paxton Whitehead at The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College, 68th Street between Park and Lexington Avenues. 

The Acting Company's (Ian Belknap, Artistic Director; Elisa Spencer-Kaplan, Executive Director) 2016 John McDonald Salon Series will conclude with a reading of acclaimed writer Marcus Gardley's The House that Will Not Stand on Monday, May 16th at 7 PM at the Lynn Redgrave Theater at The Culture Project, 45 Bleecker Street (at Lafayette), New York, NY 10012. Single tickets are $35 and include a post-show reception with the cast. For tickets, visit www.theactingcompany.org or call (212) 258-3111.

Angela Lansbury and Dana Ivey will head an all-star cast in the staged reading of the beloved British comedy, Lettice and Lovage, a benefit for The Acting Company, to be held one night only, Monday, June 13, at 7 PM, at The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College, 68th Street between Park and Lexington Avenues, it was announced this afternoon.