Folger Theatre News

Today, July 15, Smith & Kraus have published a new book of collected plays from OCC Award-winning playwright Theresa Rebeck! Featuring an introduction from Tony Award-nominated director and Rebeck's frequent collaborator Moritz von Stuelpnagel, Theresa Rebeck: Complete Plays Volume 5 covers the prolific writer's 2011-2019 works, including:

Ancram Opera House will present a virtual edition of CRYSTAL RADIO SESSIONS UPSTATE, the Hudson Valley outpost of the popular downtown NYC reading series, on Saturday, July 11 at 8pm. This virtual event is free, but reservations are required.

Red Bull Theater today announced the selections for their tenth annual festival of 10-minute plays of heightened language and classic themes, featuring two brand new commissions from Jeremy O. Harris and Theresa Rebeck, alongside six brand new plays that have been selected from hundreds of open submissions from playwrights across the country.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater has announced the expansion of its online programs and events through August 2020. Arena Artistic Director Molly Smith has curated a diverse and engaging Spring/Summer Season, Looking Forward, connecting artists and audiences locally and nationally.

Building on over 40 years of producing powerful contemporary theatre, Studio Theatre is pleased to announce its largest class ever of commissioned artists to Studio R&D, its incubator to support the creation of new work. Studio will award grants to 10 artists-playwrights, directors, and multidisciplinary creators-investing in its future while supporting theatre-makers and expanding the idea of what it means to be a generative artist. For the first time, Studio R&D commissions are being awarded to support the creation of audio plays, as Studio explores alternate modes of theatrical storytelling in response to the present moment.

Exploring the digital landscape of theatre, Solas Nua is commissioning a new play to capture the self isolation that people around the world are experiencing during the COVID 19 pandemic. Audiences can tune into the production to enjoy a live performance of a play specifically written for the online platform. The performance will feature optional, mild audience interaction. 

In response to the continually evolving novel coronavirus outbreak, Round House Theatre is updating its previously announced 2020-2021 Season. The upcoming season will now include Cost of Living by Martyna Majok. The previously announced God of Carnage will be postponed until the 2021-2022 Season. All remaining shows are still slated to continue, but the schedule has been updated. The Tempest, which is expected to draw in the largest crowds, will now perform at later dates.

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, Folger Theatre is altering the programming schedule for its 2020/21 'On the Road' season of plays. In working to ensure the well-being and safety of patrons, Folger Theatre, along with its project partners the National Building Museum and the University of South Carolina, have made the decision to postpone the 2020 summer production of A Midsummer Night's Dream and the National Building Museum's Summer Block Party, featuring the Folger Shakespeare Playhouse, to Summer 2021.

René Buch, the co-founder and artistic director of Off-Broadway's Repertorio Español, has passed away at 94. The artistic leader, playwright, and director died April 19th at his home in New York.

As school, work and social interactions go online, Orlando Shakes in partnership with UCF announces a series of free online classes for adults. From Storytelling for Seniors to Interview skills to Shakespeare technique, these stand alone classes are ideal for adults seeking to broaden skills and develop new ones in the safety of their own homes. Participants will be able to livestream the class with Orlando Shakes professionals via webcam.

Today, we're checking in with Washington, D.C.'s Folger Theatre, with Marketing/PR Manager, Peter Eramo.

Folger Theatre's production of Macbeth is now available to stream for free, through July 1, 2020.

Theater Latté Da today announced singer/songwriters Kate Kilbane and Dan Moses, who together form the musical duo, The Kilbanes, and actor/directors Jessie Austrian and Noah Brody as the recipients of the NEXT Generation Commission, a new opportunity for women artists and artists of color

The first four preview performances of the world-premiere Celia and Fidel have been cancelled due to the departure of actor Robert M. Jimenez. Mr. Jimenez has withdrawn from the production due to personal matters. He will be replaced by Andhy Mendez and preview performances will now begin on Tuesday, March 3. Mendez will step into the role of the Cuban leader.

Theater J Artistic Director Adam Immerwahr and Managing Director Jojo Ruf have announced Theater J's 30th anniversary season of five plays and two musicals. The nation's largest and most prominent Jewish theater company, Theater J celebrates its anniversary with a season that features all the elements that have become signature to its work: stories that illuminate the Jewish condition, joyfully celebrate humanity, and challenge us to empathize and think more deeply about the world.

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati is going back to school with the regional premiere drama, Pipeline by Dominique Morisseau, the acclaimed MacArthu 'Genius' Grant playwright. This 2018 Obie Award-winning play powerfully brings an urgent conversation to the forefront, compassionately probing the limits of our education system and a mother's fight to give her son a future-without turning her back on the community that made him who he is. Directed by Ron OJ Parson. Production Sponsor is The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr./U.S. Bank Foundation.

The comedy 2 Pianos 4 Hands has been added to the current Olney Theatre Center schedule as a special event for a limited run on the Historic Stage, May 8 - 24, 2020. Written and originally performed by Ted Dykstra and Richard Greenblatt; Jefferson McDonald and Matt McGloin take the stage for this production to portray Ted and Richard from their very first piano lessons as they strive to become professional concert pianists. Directed by Tom Frey, each actor plays a piano in this comic look at what happens when we chase our dreams and come up short. Tickets are on sale today via olneytheatre.org and the box office (301-924-3400).

Tonight, at a celebration honoring theatre excellence on stages across the Washington area, theatre artists, administrators, patrons, and special guests gathered in the National Theatre's Helen Hayes Gallery for theatreWashington's announcement of nominees for the 36th Annual Helen Hayes Awards, which will be presented on Monday, May 18 at an event at the Anthem.

The DC area is a cultural hub full of must-see theater. With more than 90 professional theater companies, there is always so much to see. If you're hoping to catch a show on a budget, you're in luck: Most theaters in DC offer programs that provide affordable tickets, and many of them are available straight from your phone on the TodayTix app. Read below to learn about how to get the best prices to DC theater with TodayTix!