Goodman Theatre News

As theaters across the country are desperately struggling to stay afloat, this Sunday night Hershey Felder is planning a truly one-of-a-kind benefit.

On the heels of a limited online run, Jocelyn Bioh's School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls directed by Lili-Anne Brown, is now extended and available for streaming through May 31.

The Chicago theater community is banding together to raise funds for The Chicago Theatre Workers Relief Fund, a League of Chicago Theatres initiative that directly assists theatre workers who have lost work as a result of COVID-19 and are facing financial uncertainty.

Karen Zacarias's hilarious play Destiny of Desire was set to end Milwaukee Rep's 2019/20 Season in the Quadracci Powerhouse. While the hope was to delay the production to June, that option is no longer possible.

Playwrights Foundation, the West Coast's premiere launchpad for exceptional plays and playwrights announces the lineup for the 2020 Bay Area Playwrights Festival.

Theatre Forward, a national nonprofit that provides financial support and service to 19 prominent theatres across the U.S., has collaborated with the Hearst Foundations to secure $1 million in emergency funding in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Newly announced prizes for the first place winners include: A virtual voice lesson with Matt Farnsworth prior to recording your single, a session with Telsey+ Company's Rachel Hoffman to hone in your audition skill, a free subscription to BroadwayWorld Edu - online classes in singing, acting, and dancing worth over $1200!

Mario Cantone will host this year's Lucille Lortel Awards, which are being presented as a virtual broadcast and benefit for The Actors Fund on Sunday, May 3, at 7pm. The online event will bring together theatre performers, industry veterans, and fans worldwide in a celebration of Off-Broadway.

Director Lili-Anne Brown talks School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play as part of the Goodman Theatre's Intermission series.

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) Conservatory Director Melissa Smith announced today that honorary Master of Fine Arts degrees will be conferred upon playwright Lydia R. Diamond and Magic Theatre's outgoing artistic director Loretta Greco. Both recipients will receive their degrees at a virtual graduation ceremony for the A.C.T. Master of Fine Arts Program class of 2020 on Monday, May 18 at 12 p.m.

Hershey Felder Presents has announced a one-time-only live stream musical event to benefit 13 theatres and arts organizations across the United States, as they work to offset the devastating economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Lookingglass Theatre Company announces gglassclasses online, where students from Kindergarten-12th grade will learn from experienced Lookingglass Ensemble Members and Teaching Artists virtually, while creating collaborative performances and building specialized skills. During this challenging time, Lookingglass is committed to continuing to engage with students, inviting them to keep curious, to imagine, and to play while at home. Registration and additional information is now available at https://lookingglasstheatre.org/gglassclass/.

In light of canceled performance engagements due to COVID-19 (including A Paris Love Story at Goodman Theatre, originally slated for June 2020), internationally-acclaimed artist Hershey Felder brings his singular performance style directly to audiences' homes.

With performing arts venues temporarily shutting their doors due to the health crisis, many theaters are bringing their content online!

Michael Musto, joined the Off Broadway Alliance's Nominating Committee this morning and announced this season's Off Broadway Alliance Award nominees.

As part of the Goodman Theatre's Intermission series, Casting Director Lauren Port gives a peek behind the scenes at how the Goodman's shows get casta?"even while working from home.

Paramount School of the Arts in downtown Aurora has launched a free series of live, virtual Master Classes Mondays every Monday from 5 to 6 p.m.

Porchlight Music Theatre's 25th Anniversary season continues with a new free virtual series a?oeSondheim @ 90 Roundtablea?? with host Michael Weber, debuting Saturday, April 25 at 7 p.m. CST on Porchlight's Facebook page, www.facebook.com/PorchlightMusicTheatre.

Victory Gardens Theater, under the leadership of Artistic Director Chay Yew and Executive Director Erica Daniels, announces the lineup for its 2020a?"2021 Season. Victory Gardens' 46th Season will include the Chicago premiere of Poor Yella Rednecks by Qui Nguyen; the world premiere of In Every Generation by Ali Viterbi; the acclaimed Chicago play Exit Strategy by Ike Holter; the Chicago premiere of cullud wattah by Erika Dickerson-Despenza, and the Chicago premiere of Heroes of the Fourth Turning by Will Arbery.

Brian Dennehy recently passed away at 81 from natural causes. Dennehy has been associated for two decades with Chicago's Goodman Theatre, where he has starred in numerous leading roles. The Goodman has released a tribute video to Dennehy.