Hattie McDaniel News

The Next Wave Initiative, a scholarship and development branch of The Directors Company dedicated to future Black Theatre makers, has announced the winners of it's inaugural cycle. All 5 winners will receive financial scholarships ranging from $500- $1,959 towards their undergraduate or MFA education. 

In celebration of Women's History Month, Theatre 40 is presenting a Zoom reading of House on the Hill: Mary Ellen Pleasant's Story. Ms. Pleasant (1814-1904) was the first African American female millionaire, an abolitionist who worked with the Underground Railroad, a champion who sued for the right to ride the trolley car in San Francisco, and who earned the name of Mother of Civil Rights in California.

Theatre would not be theatre without the efforts of Black artists, and it’s important to learn about their impact on the industry. In honor of Black History Month, here is a timeline of theatre milestones achieved by Black professionals. 

Since the 1980's, Brian Edwards - multi-award-winning celebrity talent executive, producer, writer and occasional performer - has worked with many of the biggest names in show business. A brief sampling includes: Donna Summer, Joan Rivers, Cindy Crawford, Susan Sarandon, Melissa Rivers, Whoopi Goldberg, Farrah Fawcett, Shirley Jones, Naomi Judd, and Vanessa Williams.

National New Play Network, the country's alliance of nonprofit theaters that collaborate in innovative ways to develop, produce, and extend the life of new plays, has announced the recipient of this year's Annual Commission: Nambi E. Kelley, in partnership with San Diego Repertory Theatre, will develop her new play, Project American X.

Bill Kramer, Director and President of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, today announced that the new institution has exceeded its pre-opening fundraising campaign goal of $388 million.

The Next Wave Initiative has announced open submissions for Cycle 1 of its scholarship program. Founded by actor-composer and TV writer Douglas Lyons (Beautiful, Beau), The Next Wave Initiative is a developmental branch of The Directors Company committed to amplifying future Black voices in the American theatre.

Soul Rep Theatre Company has announced its upcoming 25th anniversary season.

Summer is often a popular time for theaters and festivals across the country to produce free Shakespeare for their cities. Obviously things are different this year, so Main Street Theater is bringing Shakespeare to people in their homes with two virtual offerings.

More than ever before, the past few months have made me realize how much work I have to do on my own as a white female, and specifically, a white female in theater, to combat the racial injustices that line our country's past and present.

Founded by Douglas Lyons (Beautiful, Beau), The Next Wave Initiative is a developmental branch of The Directors Company, committed to amplifying future Black voices in The American Theatre. On July 1st, at 7pm EST, NWI will host its first Zoom-Room Series: 'To be Young, Gifted, Black...and cast.'

We've rounded up 10 MORE books about Black theatre to read and educate yourself while in quarantine. 

Houston Theater company Vincent Victoria Presents will be premiering their next virtual production on June 26th and 27th. Entitled Divas, Dudes, and Characters, the performance will include scenes and monologues from Playwright/Producer Vincent Victoria's catalog of plays.

Douglas Lyons (Beautiful, Beau) has launched The Next Wave Initiative, a developmental branch of The Directors Company committed to amplifying future Black voices in The American Theatre.

Not willing to let Covid-19 dampen their creative spirit and ambitions, Vincent Victoria Presents will be performing their second full length virtual play during the pandemic.

On Friday, Oct. 11, 6:00 pm, Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival & Lecture Series will honor award-winning performance artist, author and cultural activist Camille Yarbrough with our distinguished Reel Sisters Hattie McDaniel Award for her outstanding contributions to film, television, literature and performing arts over six decades. The Reel Sisters Trailblazer Award will be presented to Sandra Guzman, producer and lead interviewer of Toni Morrison: Pieces I Am, and pioneering filmmaker Leslie Harris, director of the classic film Just Another Girl on the I.R.T. Cash prizes will also be presented to our award-winning filmmakers. Tickets: $35 ($30 - Bring A Pal discount for 2+ tickets).

Over his four-decade career in the entertainment industry as a multi-award winning celebrity talent executive, producer, writer and occasional performer, Brian Edwards has worked with some of the biggest names in show business, not to mention some of the most beloved gay icons: Donna Summer, Joan Rivers, Cindy Crawford, Susan Sarandon, Melissa Rivers, Whoopi Goldberg, Farrah Fawcett, Shirley Jones, Naomi Judd, and Vanessa Williams, just to name a few. His debut book, published in late 2013 and titled, Enter Miss Thang, was an unabashedly honest and side-splitting memoir which became a national best seller and received several awards along the way, including top honors at The National Indie Excellence Awards, The International Book Awards and the IBPA Awards, ultimately becoming the most honored LGBT non-fiction book of 2014. Never one to let the party end, Edwards has just published his follow-up, which drops Labor Day Weekend, with even more insider tales, titled, I Might Have Been Queen (And Other Things I Didn't Mention Before).

BWW Review: BETTE DAVIS AIN'T FOR SISSIES at 3Below Theater is a compelling portrait of the great stage and film legend and early feminist.

Official winner of the Hollywood Fringe Scholarship Award and now on at the 2019 Dallas Solo Festival - Who You Calling A Bitch?!? Is the solo reverie of a young African-American actress as she navigates her identity through iconic African-American characters and entertainers in black history.

Whoopi Goldberg returns to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall stage on Saturday, April 27, 2019, at 8 p.m. for a performance you won't want to miss!