Ifa Bayeza News

Renaissance Theaterworks (RTW) inhabits the Studio Theater at the Broadway Theatre Center and presents a true ballad--a dramatic narrative told over generations often set to music and dance--where this powerful tale recounts the life of 14 year-old Emmett Till. Over the thrid October weekend, Ifa Bayeza's The Ballad of Emmett TIll visiblly moved Milwaukee audiences using an evocative stage designed by Madelyn Yee, ghost like in representing a church sanctuary centered on a coffin-like altar where a circular window, an archtectural rose window, a wheel from a cotton gin or perhaps star, was placed above the 'altar.' Arches, like skeletons of stained glass windows, framed both sides of the backdrop The innventive set combined with a dream cast imaginatively directed by Marti Gobel breathes life into this young boy's ballad.

Harlem Stage will present the world premiere of Stranger on Earth, from OBIE-winning playwright and interdisciplinary performing artist Carl Hancock Rux. The production, which anchors Harlem Stage's The Year of James Baldwincentenary celebration and exemplifies the institution's commitment to honoring artists of color-past, present and future-imagines a chance meeting between James Baldwin and Dinah Washington, two of the era's most iconic African Americans, at a Harlem jazz lounge in 1963. Commissioned and produced by Harlem Stage, Rux draws from Baldwin's landmark essays to create a work that addresses race, identity and the future of a world that both Baldwin and Washington struggled to understand and inhabit. Rux performs Stranger on Earth with vocalist Marcelle Davies Lashley, who interprets Washington's songs, against the backdrop of an arresting video montage by Onome Ekeh.

In response to the seemingly perpetual killings of young black men in America, internationally acclaimed auteur Ping Chong and noted director and dramaturg Talvin Wilks created Collidescope: Adventures in Pre- and Post-Racial America in collaboration with UMD School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies' graduate and undergraduate designers and performers. The show runs tonight, November 7-14 in the Kogod Theatre at The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center and is a world premiere performance. Conversations with the cast, designers and special panelists follow performances held November 8, 11 and 13, respectively.

In response to the seemingly perpetual killings of young black men in America, internationally acclaimed auteur Ping Chong and noted director and dramaturg Talvin Wilks createdCollidescope: Adventures in Pre- and Post-Racial America in collaboration with UMD School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies' graduate and undergraduate designers and performers. The show runs November 7-14 in the Kogod Theatre at The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center and is a world premiere performance.

Penumbra Theatre has announced 15 events offered within the 2013-2014 Season. The season marks the 37th year for Penumbra and it will celebrate the staging of plays and the introduction of new events to deepen and enrich the theatre experience. New events include Let's Talk Theatre hosted by Sarah Bellamy, the Claude Edison Purdy Individual Artist Festival, and ALOUD: A Festival of New Work by Third Year Summer Institute Students.

Ballybeg's debut production, EMPANADA FOR A DREAM, the story of a boy growing up on the Lower East Side, written and performed by Juan Francisco Villa* closes tonight. Alex Levy directs performances, held at the TBG Studio Theatre, 312 West 36th Street, 3rd Floor (between Eighth and Ninth Avenues) through tonight, April 29, 2012. *Member, Actors' Equity Association. AEA Showcase.

Ballybeg today announced its debut production, EMPANADA FOR A DREAM, the story of a boy growing up on the Lower East Side, written and performed by Juan Francisco Villa*. Alex Levy will direct six performances to be held at the TBG Studio Theatre, 312 West 36th Street, 3rd Floor (between Eighth and Ninth Avenues) from April 21-29, 2012. *Member, Actors' Equity Association. AEA Showcase.

Ballybeg today announced its debut production, EMPANADA FOR A DREAM, the story of a boy growing up on the Lower East Side, written and performed by Juan Francisco Villa*. Alex Levy will direct six performances to be held at the TBG Studio Theatre, 312 West 36th Street, 3rd Floor (between Eighth and Ninth Avenues) from April 21-29, 2012. *Member, Actors' Equity Association. AEA Showcase.

The Ballad of Emmett Till, by Ifa Bayeza is presented through a collaboration between The Ensemble Theatre and Houston Museum of African American Culture. Winner of the 2009 Edgar Award, presented by Mystery Writers of America, The Ballad of Emmett Till is told through contemporary prose with the infusion of jazz. A month after his fourteenth birthday, this confident youth from Chicago, a boy on the threshold of manhood, embarks on a summer trip to Mississippi. His pursuit of happiness and liberty are pierced with the poignancy of life. The 1955 lynching of Emmett Till fell on the cusp of a saga that changed the course of the nation.

The Ballad of Emmett Till, by Ifa Bayeza is presented through a collaboration between The Ensemble Theatre and Houston Museum of African American Culture. Winner of the 2009 Edgar Award, presented by Mystery Writers of America, The Ballad of Emmett Till is told through contemporary prose with the infusion of jazz. A month after his fourteenth birthday, this confident youth from Chicago, a boy on the threshold of manhood, embarks on a summer trip to Mississippi. His pursuit of happiness and liberty are pierced with the poignancy of life. The 1955 lynching of Emmett Till fell on the cusp of a saga that changed the course of the nation.

Artistic Director, Eileen J. Morris, announces general auditions for The Ensemble Theatre's 35th Anniversary Season.

The Ensemble Theatre Artistic Director Eileen J. Morris announces the theatre's 35th anniversary season lineup, a variety of comedies, dramas, classic, and musical productions.

The 2011 Garland Award recipients were announced today, honoring the best of Los Angeles theatre. Under the voting system each Garland winner was named on at least three critics' 'Best of 2010' lists. Each critic listed up to five nominees for each category except performance, up to 10 nominees for performance in musical productions and 10 for straight plays. Here are the critics' lists, minus the winners. The critics who voted are Jeff Favre, Hoyt Hilsman, Travis Holder, Eric Marchese, Dany Margolies, Dink O'Neal, Melinda Schupmann, Madeleine Shaner, Les Spindle, Neal Weaver, and Jennie Webb. Back Stage thanks them, as we hope you will when you see them this year, for their perpetual devotion to Southland theater large and small.

Act II Playhouse has named Pam Dickler managing director of the professional theatre company. Originally from Bucks County, PA, Dickler has spent much of the past two decades as part of Chicago's thriving theatrical community as a producer, director, actor and writer.

Community Access' 'Art Collective Program' teaches people to create original works of art, with a focus on designing, writing and constructing hand-crafted books. Ntozake Shange has joined forces with Community Access as a visiting artist in its New York City-based art program for people with psychiatric disabilities.

Community Access' 'Art Collective Program' teaches people to create original works of art, with a focus on designing, writing and constructing hand-crafted books. Ntozake Shange has joined forces with Community Access as a visiting artist in its New York City-based art program for people with psychiatric disabilities.

About Face Theatre Board President Bill Michel today announced the appointment of Jason Held as AFT's new Executive Director. Held brings his experience as a lawyer, political fundraiser and advocate for LGBTQ youth to AFT, most recently working for the Illinois Safe Schools Alliance.

Those who have been unable to reserve seats to The Fountain Theatre's sold out production of The Ballad of Emmett Till will get another chance. The Fountain Theatre has announced a third extension through May 30.