Ensemble Studio Theatre News

Berkshire Playwrights Lab will present a staged reading of Richard Dresser's The Handyman, directed by Joe Cacaci, on Wednesday, August 7 at 7:30pm at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center (14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, Mass.). The cast will include Wendie Malick, currently co-starring in TV Land's Hot in Cleveland, Berkshire Playwrights Lab Co-Artistic Director Jim Frangione, and two other actors TBA. There is no charge for admission, however, Berkshire Playwrights Lab suggests a $10.00 donation to help offset its programming costs. For reservations, call 413.528.0100 or visit the Mahaiwe box office in person.

Portland Center Stage has selected four exciting new plays drawn from a national search for the 2013 JAW: A Playwrights Festival.

Performances begin in three weeks for Steppenwolf Theatre Company's upcoming eighth annual First Look Repertory of New Work, featuring three developmental productions of new plays presented in rotating repertory July 29 - August 25, 2013 in the Garage Theatre (1624 N Halsted St). First Look 2013 includes: Annie Bosh is Missing by Janine Nabers, directed by Shade Murray; Buena Vista by Edith Freni, directed byensemble member Tim Hopper; and The Gospel of Franklin by Aaron Carter, directed by Robert O'Hara. Scroll down for a sneak peek at Annie Bosh, Buena Vista and The Gospel of Franklin in rehearsal!

New York Madness (NYM) is about to start its Fourth Season. With a focus on emerging writers, NYM hosts a hot night of short plays based on a theme proposed by the more established Featured Guest. The Theme is announced one week prior to the event.

Beth Morrison Projects (BMP) and HERE have announced programming for the second annual PROTOTYPE: Opera/Theatre/Now festival, running January 8-18, 2014.

Arden Theatre Company announces the second production for The Writers' Room, an innovative playwright residency program, with At the Old Placeby Rachel Bonds. This new play, written during a four-month residency in Philadelphia receives a developmental production on the Arden's Arcadia Stage from today, July 18-28, 2013. The Writers' Room is made possible by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, the Independence Foundation through its New Theatre Works Initiative and an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional support provided by The Harold & Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust.

Ego Actus and Kim M. Jones present Love Stinks, a sexy comedy by Kate Plumb Rader opening at the Dorothy Strelsin Theatre tonight, July 16th as part of theMidtown InterNational Theatre Festival. Joan Kane directs. The cast features Rosie Cosch* and Matthew Collier Hammond.

Performances begin in three weeks for Steppenwolf Theatre Company's upcoming eighth annual First Look Repertory of New Work, featuring three developmental productions of new plays presented in rotating repertory July 29 - August 25, 2013 in the Garage Theatre (1624 N Halsted St).

Berkshire Playwrights Lab will present a staged reading of Michael Brady's Titles, directed by Giovanna Sardelli, on Wednesday, July 24 at 7:30pm at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center (14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, Mass.). There is no charge for admission, however, Berkshire Playwrights Lab suggests a $10.00 donation to help offset its programming costs. For reservations, call 413.528.0100 or visit the Mahaiwe box office in person.

Juilliard's Drama Division announces the 2013-2014 season of fully-staged productions featuring Juilliard's 43rd group of acting students in their fourth and final year in the drama program at Juilliard. This season's plays include Jeffrey Hatcher's Smash, directed by Victor Pappas; Amy Herzog's The Great God Pan, directed by Maria Mileaf; and Sam Shepard's Buried Child, directed by Daniel Fish. All performances take place in the Stephanie P. McClelland Drama Theater at Juilliard.

Zam Not Spam Productions, as part of the 17th annual New York International Fringe Festival, is pleased to announce the NYC premiere production of Laura Zam's MARRIED SEX, directed by Shirley Serotsky. MARRIED SEX will play a special engagement at the Fringe Venue #9 Jimmy's No. 43 (43 East 7th Street, NYC). Performances begin Saturday, August 10 (3:45 pm) and continue through Thursday, August 22 (7:00 pm). Press are invited to all performances.

Thanks to a generous grant from the Time Warner Foundation, South Coast Repertory is launching its new CrossRoads Commissioning Project-a community-based initiative within the theatre's renowned new work program. As part of the project, SCR has commissioned eight playwrights, locally and nationally, to create new work inspired by residencies that explore the incredible diversity of Orange County.

THE LOUDEST MAN ON EARTH plays atTheatreWorks at the Lucie Stern Theatre in Palo Alto tonight, July 10 - August 4.

Berkshire Playwrights Lab will present a staged reading of John Cariani's Love/Sick, directed by Daniel Winerman, tonight, July 10 at 7:30pm at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center (14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, Mass.). There is no charge for admission, however, Berkshire Playwrights Lab suggests a $10.00 donation to help offset its programming costs. For reservations, call 413.528.0100 or visit the Mahaiwe box office in person.

Tucker Theatricals and All Out Arts, Inc present After the Chairs, starring Don Cummings (Actor 'A New Brain' at West Coast Ensemble, Playwright 'A Good Smoke' Public Theatre reading with Meryl Streep) and Allen Warnock ('The Skin of Our Teeth' and 'A Servant of Two Masters' at Williamstown Theatre Festival). The world premiere of award-winning playwright David Koteles' play After the Chairs, directed by Jason Jacobs, is an official selection of the 2013 All Out Arts, Inc.'s Fresh Fruit Festival, and will be presented today, July 10th - 14th at The Wild Project (195 E. 3rd Street).

Award-winning playwright David Koteles' play After the Chairs, directed by Jason Jacobs is an official selection of the 2013 All Out Arts, Inc.'s Fresh Fruit Festival, and will be presented today, July 10th - 14th at The Wild Project (195 E. 3rd Street).

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) presents Madam Walker and the Divine Dream. Performances will take place on July 10th at 3:00PM & 7:00PM and July 13th at 8:00PM at The Studio at Theatre Row (410 W. 42nd Street). Starring Jennifer Fouche* (Off-Broadway's Sistas), Angela Grovey* (Broadway's Leap of Faith), two time Audelco Award Winner Juson Williams*, Kenya Lee*, Cheryl Gadsden, Annie Lee Moffett*, Carrie Compere* (Broadway bound Holler If You Hear Me, National tourShrek the Musical), Audelco nominated chandra thomas*, and Michael Roberts* (National and International tour West Side Story, Dreamgirls) . The book and lyrics are written by Steve Mackes and music by Joseph-Vernon Banks. Kevin Ray serves as music director and Bayo is stage manager.

THE LOUDEST MAN ON EARTH plays atTheatreWorks at the Lucie Stern Theatre in Palo Alto July 10 - August 4. For tickets ($19-$73) and information the public may call (650) 463-1960 or visit www.theatreworks.org.

Berkshire Playwrights Lab will present a staged reading of John Cariani's Love/Sick, directed by Daniel Winerman, on Wednesday, July 10 at 7:30pm at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center (14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, Mass.). There is no charge for admission, however, Berkshire Playwrights Lab suggests a $10.00 donation to help offset its programming costs. For reservations, call 413.528.0100 or visit the Mahaiwe box office in person.

Throughline Artists (J.J. Kandel, Executive Producer; John McCormack, Producing Artistic Director) will present SUMMER SHORTS 2013, their seventh annual festival of new American short plays from established and emerging writers, at 59E59 Theaters (59 East 59th Street). Performances will begin Friday July 19th, and continue through Saturday August 31st only.