Erika Dickerson-Despenza News

The Public Theater has announced the complete cast for the staged world premiere play shadow/land, written by Erika Dickerson-Despenza and directed by Candis C. Jones.

Beginning on Thursday, February 16, theatergoers will be able to visit Wheel and Come Again: The 50th Anniversary Art Exhibition of The Harder They Come on The Public Theater’s Levin Mezzanine, an exhibition of art inspired by the original film.

Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for theatre, has announced the recipients of the first and second rounds of the 2022-23 Edgerton Foundation New Play Awards. The awards, totaling $725,000, allow 17 productions extra time for the development and rehearsal of new plays with the entire creative team, hoping to extend the life of the world premiere play after its first run. 

The Public Theater has announced casting for the world premiere of THE HARDER THEY COME, a musical adaptation of the classic Jamaican film produced and directed by Perry Henzell and co-written with Trevor Rhone.

Ensemble Studio Theatre’s Youngblood program has announced new members for the 2022-2023 season: Lyndsey Bourne, K'yana Faulkner-Smith, Renae Jarrett, kl, Charlie Oh, Holly Settoon, Danny Tejera, and Susan Yassky.

The Public Theater, the Barnard Center for Research on Women and the Ntozake Shange Literary Trust have announced the establishment of The Ntozake Shange Social Justice Theater Residency. This rotating two-year playwriting residency is named in honor of Public Theater artist and Barnard alumna (Class of 1970) Ntozake Shange.

Due to ongoing calendar and production challenges due to COVID 19, Actor's Express announces new dates for its upcoming Season 35.

 Broadway Black presents The 2nd Annual Antonyo Awards, which honors Black theatre artists during the 2021-2022 season. The live, in-person ceremony will be held on Monday, October 10 at the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem (253 West 125th Street). Awards in 29 competitive categories and five honorary categories will be presented along with performances and guest appearances. 

Actors’ Equity Association has issued a statement in response to recent events at Victory Gardens Theater.

Victory Gardens Theater preesents the final show in its 2021/22 Mainstage Season, the regional premiere of cullud wattah, written by Erika Dickerson-Despenza and directed by Lili-Anne Brown. 

The 2nd Annual Antonyo Award nominations from the 2021-2022 Broadway and Off-Broadway season have been announced! See the full list here!

On June 19, 2022, Victory Gardens Theater opened the regional premiere of cullud wattah, written by Erika Dickerson-Despenza and directed by Lili-Anne Brown. 

In cullud wattah, Erika Dickerson-Despenza compellingly weaves the personal and political. The play is ultimately a narrative of resilience as the women in the play struggle with environmental racism and to econcile with the tension between their desire for justice (especially in ainee’s case) and the will to survive and make enough money to pay their bills.

The Public Theater announced the schedule today for The Public’s 2022-23 Season at the Public Theater. Learn all about the shows, schedule and how to get tickets.

Winners for the 66th Annual Drama Desk Awards were announced today. See the full list here! This year’s Drama Desk Awards will take place at Sardi’s Restaurant on June 14th. See who was honored from Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Off-Off Broadway.

 Chicago will continue to produce some of the most exciting work in the country this summer. Offerings from the city’s more than 250 producing theatres include a wide variety of plays and musicals, as well as comedy, dance, and outdoor events.    

Today, The Lillys announced the launch of the Lorraine Hansberry Initiative, which aims to honor the great American playwright and civil rights leader’s legacy while investing in those following in her footsteps.

Today, The Lillys announced the launch of the Lorraine Hansberry Initiative, which aims to honor the great American playwright and civil rights leader's legacy while investing in those following in her footsteps.

Actor's Express announces its 35th Season of dynamic, entertaining work, including a World Premiere and co-production with Oglethorpe University Theatre. In addition to the six-show subscription season, AE continues its foray into podcasts and also welcomes back its perennially popular cabaret partnership with Atlanta icon Libby Whittemore.

The Outer Critics Circle (OCC), the official organization of writers on New York theatre for out-of-town newspapers and national publications, has announced the winners of the 71st Annual Outer Critics Circle Awards, honoring the 2021-2022 Broadway and Off-Broadway season.