Harriet Jacobs News

Written by Howard L. Craft and presented by StreetSigns, Freight: The Five Incarnations of Abel Green Green tells the story of an African American male who exists in five different dimensions of the same universe at different points in American history.

Cleveland Public Theatre (CPT) Executive Artistic Director Raymond Bobgan presents the National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere of Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea by Nathan Alan Davis, directed by Megan Sandberg-Zakian. The production stars emerging actor, poet, and hip hop artist Kalim Hill-a longtime participant in CPT's youth education programs-now a sophomore at Cleveland State University.

Steppenwolf for Young Adults (SYA) is pleased to launch its 2015/16 season with George Orwell's 1984, adapted by Andrew White, directed by SYA Artistic and Educational Director Hallie Gordon, who directed last season's critically acclaimed production of George Orwell's Animal Farm. White received a 2004 Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Adaptation for George Orwell's 1984. The season concludes with the world premiere of The Compass, devised and directed by Michael Rohd. The Compass is an interactive experience that explores the intersection of technology and decision-making.

Second Stage Theatre has announced two New York Premiere productions for its upcoming 37th season.  The season will kick off in fall 2015 with the New York Premiere production of Matt Gould and Griffin Matthews' new musical, INVISIBLE THREAD (previously titled Witness Uganda), in association with American Repertory Theater, directed by Tony Award winner Diane Paulus (Finding Neverland, Pippin).  The season will continue in early 2016 with the New York premiere of Lydia R. Diamond's (Stick Fly) critically acclaimed play, SMART PEOPLE, directed by Tony Award Winner Kenny Leon (Fences, A Raisin in the Sun, Stick Fly). Two additional productions remain to be announced. 

Cleveland Public Theatre (CPT) Executive Artistic Director Raymond Bobgan presents the National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere of Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea by Nathan Alan Davis, directed by Megan Sandberg-Zakian. The production stars emerging actor, poet, and hip hop artist Kalim Hill-a longtime participant in CPT's youth education programs-now a sophomore at Cleveland State University.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre proudly welcomes MacArthur 'Genius' Award winner Tarell Alvin McCraney for the West Coast premiere of Head of Passes, a poignant and poetic story about the journey of family and faith, trial and tribulation. In a dilapidated house near the ever-shifting mouth of the Mississippi, Shelah's family gathers on a stormy night for her birthday -- bringing ghosts and secrets of the past with them. As her roof buckles under the weight of the rain, Shelah's convictions begin to wash away, leaving her to excavate the truths buried below. Directed by Tina Landau, the riveting Head of Passes comes to the Bay Area straight from its critically lauded world premiere in Chicago. Head of Passes is a co-production with the Public Theater in New York. It begins previews on Berkeley Rep's intimate Thrust Stage today, April 10, opens today, April 17, and runs through Sunday, May 24, 2015. Press night for Head of Passes will be held today, April 17, 2015.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre proudly welcomes MacArthur 'Genius' Award winner Tarell Alvin McCraney for the West Coast premiere of Head of Passes, a poignant and poetic story about the journey of family and faith, trial and tribulation. In a dilapidated house near the ever-shifting mouth of the Mississippi, Shelah's family gathers on a stormy night for her birthday -- bringing ghosts and secrets of the past with them. As her roof buckles under the weight of the rain, Shelah's convictions begin to wash away, leaving her to excavate the truths buried below. Directed by Tina Landau, the riveting Head of Passes comes to the Bay Area straight from its critically lauded world premiere in Chicago. Head of Passes is a co-production with the Public Theater in New York. It begins previews on Berkeley Rep's intimate Thrust Stage today, April 10, opens today, April 17, and runs through Sunday, May 24, 2015. Press night for Head of Passes will be held today, April 17, 2015.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre proudly welcomes MacArthur "Genius" Award winner Tarell Alvin McCraney for the West Coast premiere of Head of Passes, a poignant and poetic story about the journey of family and faith, trial and tribulation. In a dilapidated house near the ever-shifting mouth of the Mississippi, Shelah's family gathers on a stormy night for her birthday -- bringing ghosts and secrets of the past with them. As her roof buckles under the weight of the rain, Shelah's convictions begin to wash away, leaving her to excavate the truths buried below. Directed by Tina Landau, the riveting Head of Passes comes to the Bay Area straight from its critically lauded world premiere in Chicago. Head of Passes is a co-production with the Public Theater in New York. It begins previews on Berkeley Rep's intimate Thrust Stage on Friday, April 10, opens on Friday, April 17, and runs through Sunday, May 24, 2015. Press night for Head of Passes will be held on Friday, April 17, 2015.

Steppenwolf for Young Adults (SYA) presents the first production of its 2014/15 season, George Orwell's Animal Farm, a world premiere adaptation by Althos Low. Directed by SYA Artistic and Educational Director Hallie Gordon, the cast of professional actors features Will Allan, Jasmine Bracey, Lucy Carapetyan, Amelia Hefferon, Matt Kahler, Mildred Marie Langford, Blake Montgomery, Dana Murphy, Lance Newton and Sean Parris. Animal Farm runs today, October 15 - November 9, 2014; the press performance is on Saturday, October 18 at 3pm.

Steppenwolf for Young Adults (SYA) has announced casting for the first production of its 2014/15 season, George Orwell's Animal Farm, a world premiere adaptation by Althos Low. Directed by SYA Artistic and Educational Director Hallie Gordon, the cast of professional actors features Will Allan, Jasmine Bracey, Lucy Carapetyan, Amelia Hefferon, Matt Kahler, Mildred Marie Langford, Blake Montgomery, Dana Murphy, Lance Newton and Sean Parris. Animal Farm runs October 15 - November 9, 2014; the press performance is on Saturday, October 18 at 3pm. Performances Tuesday through Friday at 10am are reserved for school groups only; public performances are scheduled Friday at 7:30pm (except October 17), Saturday at 3 and 7:30pm and Sunday at 3pm. Single tickets ($20) are on sale now through Audience Services (1650 N Halsted St), 312-335-1650 and steppenwolf.org. School group tickets are available through Education and Community Programs Coordinator Lauren Sivak at 312-654-5643.

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (RTE) Chicago's only Equity theatre devoted to the work of women theatre artists, and Artistic Director Tara Mallen are proud to announce the extension of the Chicago premiere of Courtney Baron's Eat Your Heart Out, directed by Hallie Gordon, through July 12 at Rivendell's performance venue, 5779 N. Ridge Ave. The performance schedule is Today - Fridays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays at 4 and 8 p.m. Please note: there are no performances Friday, July 4 or Saturday, July 5. The running time is approximately 80 minutes with no intermission. Tickets for the extension go on sale Tuesday, June 24 at 10 a.m. Tickets are $30 and may be purchased online at www.RivendellTheatre.org or by phone, 773.334.7728.

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (RTE) Chicago's only Equity theatre devoted to the work of women theatre artists, and Artistic Director Tara Mallen are proud to announce the extension of the Chicago premiere of Courtney Baron's Eat Your Heart Out, directed by Hallie Gordon, through July 12 at Rivendell's performance venue, 5779 N. Ridge Ave. The performance schedule is Wednesday - Fridays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays at 4 and 8 p.m. Please note: there are no performances Friday, July 4 or Saturday, July 5. The running time is approximately 80 minutes with no intermission. Tickets for the extension go on sale Tuesday, June 24 at 10 a.m. Tickets are $30 and may be purchased online at www.RivendellTheatre.org or by phone, 773.334.7728.

Steppenwolf for Young Adults (SYA) has announced its 2014/15 season: George Orwell's Animal Farm, adapted for the stage by Althos Low, directed by SYA Artistic and Educational Director Hallie Gordon; and the world premiere of This Is Modern Art by Kevin Coval and Idris Goodwin, directed by Lisa Portes.

Dixon Place (Ellie Covan, Artistic Director) and LAVA are proud to present the world premiere of Tracks, the 13th evening-length dance work by OBIE and Bessie Award-winning company LAVA. Known for their feats of strength, daring and sheer thought-provocation, LAVA will perform Tracks for a limited engagement at Dixon Place beginning April 23rd, running through May 4th. Tickets are $20 in advance, $23 at the door, $17 for students and seniors ($15 tickets are available for the performances on April 23 and April 29). For tickets, call 212.219.0736 or go to www.dixonplace.org.

Victory Gardens Theater continues its season with the World Premiere of The Gospel of Lovingkindness by Victory Gardens Ensemble Playwright Marcus Gardley, directed by Artistic Director Chay Yew. The Gospel of Lovingkindness runs February 28 - March 30, 2014 at Victory Gardens Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue.

Lehmann Maupin has announced RIVERS, an exhibition of collaborative paintings by the Bronx, New York-based artists Tim Rollins and K.O.S. (Kids of Survival) at the SCAD Museum of Art opening February 1, 2014. Founded by Rollins more than 30 years ago, the K.O.S. group has created paintings inspired by classic works of literature and music that can be found in the permanent collections of more than 95 museums worldwide.

National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Acting Chairman Joan Shigekawa announced last week that the Huntington Theatre Company is one of 895 nonprofit organizations nationwide to receive an NEA Art Works grant. The Huntington is slated to be awarded $25,000 to support the development and production of Huntington Playwriting Fellow Lydia R. Diamond's Smart People, now extended to play May 23 - June 29, 2014.

Due to extraordinary early demand for the final two productions of its 2013-2014 Season, Huntington Theatre Company announces one-week extensions to the runs of Melinda Lopez's Becoming Cuba and Lydia R. Diamond's Smart People. The Huntington's previous productions by these acclaimed Boston playwrights - Sonia Flew by Melinda Lopez and Stick Fly by Lydia R. Diamond - hold the records as the two highest grossing productions ever staged in the Wimberly Theatre of the Huntington's second home, the Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA.

Artistic Director Molly Smith announced today, playwright Lydia R. Diamond, whose impressive body of work includes Stick Fly, Voyeurs de Venus, The Bluest Eye and The Gift Horse, among others, will become a resident playwright as part of the American Voices New Play Institute at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. Diamond's yearlong residency will begin Tuesday, October 1, 2013.

One of Greater Boston's most beloved traditions, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company's 'Free Shakespeare On The Common' celebrates its 18th season with the comedy The Two Gentlemen of Verona. Inspired by Rat Pack-era Vegas, this production brings together the talents of CSC's Artistic Director Steve Maler, music director Colin Thurmond and choreographer Yo-el Cassel. Playing today, July 6 - 28, 2013.