This week's industry news paints a complex picture of resilience, challenge, and change across the theatrical landscape. While new data reveals a promising, though uneven, post-pandemic recovery in both New York City foot traffic and the Canadian arts economy, financial realities remain stark, highlighted by the unfortunate closure of Berkeley's Aurora Theatre. Yet, signs of forward momentum are clear, with new leadership at the SDC Foundation, significant NAMT grants fostering new work, and Ohio creating new tax incentives for touring productions.
George C. White, founder of the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, died August 6, 2025, just ten days before his 90th birthday. Over 37 years as Chairman, White transformed Waterford, Connecticut, into one of the most celebrated hubs for developing new plays and musicals in the United States.
PRODUCER HUB has named Dani Barlow as the inaugural Programming Director, beginning July 14. Learn more about Barlow and about the role within he company here!
The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center presented the 23rd Monte Cristo Award to Chair Emeritus Tom Viertel, last night at the Edison Ballroom in New York City. Check out photos here!
Tom Viertel, who has been a member of the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center board for nearly three decades and its Chairman since 2000, will step down from his role at the end of the O'Neill's 2024 season in August. Learn more.
WILLIAMSTOWN THEATRE FESTIVAL announces new members to leadership team and new artistic leadership model. Get the latest news on the changes happening at the festival.
In a very special moment of the evening, O’Neill alumnus and former Monte Cristo Award recipient, Michael Douglas presented Mr. White with his honor. Mr. Douglas also announced that he is making a $1 million gift to the O’Neill, and challenged the audience and supporters to match the gift to support the O’Neill’s operations.
Last night in New York City, Michael Douglas and Joshua Henry attended the Eugene O’Neill’s Theatre Center’s 21st Monte Cristo Awards which honored George C. White.
The evening will feature performances and remarks by Norm Lewis, Heidi Blickenstaff, Joshua Henry, Tom Kitt, Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Tyler Bunch, Scott Richards, Paulette Haupt, Ellie Ellsworth and others.
The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center has announced that it will present the 21st Monte Cristo Award to its Founder George C. White. George’s career includes not only his 37 years as President of the O’Neill and Chairman of its Board of Trustees, but also numerous activities and accomplishments in theater throughout the world.
At 7:30 pm. EDT on Saturday, July 11, the Hangar Theatre Company will perform a virtual production of Queens Girl in the World, directed by Godfrey L. Simmons, Jr.
First up in the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's newly revamped 2020 Summer Season - now online, the 30th NATIONAL PUPPETRY CONFERENCE (PUP) running June 8 through June 12, 2020. PUP, with an already sold-out main CONFERENCE, is offering the public a series of five master classes, as well as, two free open mic puppet sessions. I managed to pull the right strings to pose a few questions to PUP's Artistic Director Pam Arcerio.
Baltimore Center Stage is excited to announce two additions to its leadership team and artistic staff. Chiara Klein has been appointed Director of Artistic Producing and will join Center Stage from New York's Public Theater. Adena Varner has been promoted to Director of Learning and Social Accountability.
The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center announced today that Paulette Haupt, founding Artistic Director of its National Music Theater Conference, will step down following the 2017 season, after 40 years leading the program. The program began in 1978 after George C. White, founder of the O'Neill, invited Ms. Haupt to launch a new development program for music theater, in a similar mold to the O'Neill's groundbreaking National Playwrights Conference, launched in 1964.
Today, in an excerpt from The O'Neill: Transformation of Modern American Theater, we hear from Manhattan Theatre Club Executive Producer Barry Grove who cites his semester away at NTI for 'literally changing the arc of my life - it led to Broadway, the National Playwrights Conference, my Equity card as a Stage Manager, the RSC with the infant Shakespeare & Co, a national tour launch, and a summer stock tour - all before I graduated from Dartmouth!'
?On Friday, the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center welcomed hundreds of artists, donors, patrons, and public figures to celebrate the official ribbon cutting of its expanded campus. Designed by Centerbrook Architects and with lead support from the State of Connecticut and private donors, the O'Neill campus now boasts eight new cottages and a new rehearsal hall with composition and dance studios, creating living, rehearsal, and production space for an additional 65 artists on the O'Neill's historic seaside campus in Waterford, CT.
The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center is now accepting scripts for development during the 2015 National Playwrights Conference. Applicants may submit works to the O'Neill's Open Submissions Process through Friday, October 17, 2014.
The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center, in partnership with The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, presents a series of conversation to coincide with the Library's public exhibition on the O'Neill, 'Launchpad of the American Theater: The O'Neill since 1964.' The three programs -- today, May 29, June 19, and August 7 -- are held in The Library for the Performing Arts' Bruno Walter Auditorium and are free and open to the public.
