J.E. Franklin News

On Wednesday, November 16 at 4:30 PM, a Sidewalk Signing and Honors Ceremony will be held onstage at Theater 80 St. Marks, 80 St. Marks Place. 

The historic Theatre Training Workshops of Woodie King, Jr.'s New Federal Theatre will move uptown next month to Dwyer Cultural Center at 258 St. Nicholas Ave. (at 123rd Street).  They were previously held in spaces adjoining the theater's offices at 292 Henry Street.  The workshops have been a fertile training ground for leading African-American playwrights and actors.

Woodie King Jr.'s New Federal Theatre (NFT) held a festive Gala Benefit on Sunday, June 26 from 2:00 to 5:30 PM at Trump Place, 220 Riverside Boulevard (enter West 70th Street) honoring Novella Nelson and Melvin Van Peebles, two of many actors and directors who have worked at NFT over the theatre's 46 year history. Mr. Van Peebles was introduced by Academy Award winner Estelle Parsons. Ms. Nelson was introduced by former Mayor David Dinkins. Scroll down for photos from the event!

Woodie King Jr.'s New Federal Theatre (NFT) will hold a Gala Benefit on Sunday, June 26 from 2:00 to 5:30 PM at Trump Place, 220 Riverside Boulevard (enter West 70th Street) honoring Novella Nelson and Melvin Van Peebles, two of many actors and directors who have worked at NFT over the theatre's 46 year history.

Woodie King Jr.'s New Federal Theatre (NFT) will hold a Gala Benefit on Sunday, June 26 from 2:00 to 5:30 PM at Trump Place, 220 Riverside Boulevard (enter West 70th Street) honoring Novella Nelson and Melvin Van Peebles, two of many actors and directors who have worked at NFT over the theatre's 46 year history.  Mr. Van Peebles will be introduced by Academy Award winner Estelle Parsons.  Ms. Nelson will be introduced by former Mayor David Dinkins.

Drama Desk Award winning playwright J.E. Franklin will present her new book of plays To Break Every Yoke with a staged production starring actress Vinie Burrows on Sunday October 5, from 2pm-4pm at the Castillo Theatre located at 543 W 42nd Street.

The National Theatre Conference (NTC), an organization founded in 1925 that meets annually in New York to discuss relevant issues in today's theatre community and to celebrate outstanding achievement in the American theatre, has named the recipients of its 2012 awards. Broadway producer Elizabeth McCann has been named Person of the Year; the New Federal Theatre, under the direction of its founder, Woodie King, Jr., is the recipient of the Theatre of the Year Award; and playwright Dominique Morisseau has been selected as the winner of the Barrie and Bernice Stavis Playwright Award. All three will be presented with their awards and honored at the Players and at Signature Theatre during NTC's annual conference in New York October 26-28, 2012.

Cabaret and Jazz vocal stylist, New York and Los Angeles actor/singer - Pinkie Washington will perform her original cabaret show, ELLA AND HER FELLAS - the story behind icon - saluting Ella Fitzgerald, at the M BAR HOLLYWOOD, tonight, July 15, at 7 p.m., at the M Bar in Hollywood, Calif.

Cabaret and Jazz vocal stylist, New York and Los Angeles actor/singer - Pinkie Washington will perform her original cabaret show, ELLA AND HER FELLAS - the story behind icon - saluting Ella Fitzgerald, at the M BAR HOLLYWOOD, this Sunday, July 15, at 7 p.m., at the M Bar in Hollywood, Calif.

After completing their 40th anniversary year, highlighted by an all-star gala in May, New Federal Theatre will announce its 2011-'12 season.

After completing their 40th anniversary year, highlighted by an all-star gala in May, New Federal Theatre will announce its 2011-'12 season.

During the month of June, New York City experienced a groundbreaking theatrical event. Woodie King, Jr.'s New Federal Theatre, in association with the Castillo Theatre on West 42nd Street and Harlem's National Black Theatre on 125th Street, present 25 plays by the greatest Black playwrights of all time. They are the pioneers of the Black Theatre Movement from the 1960s and up until the beginning of the new century, as well as those who are carrying on the work of giving dramatic expression to the Black experience.

In the month of June, New York City will experience a groundbreaking theatrical event. Woodie King, Jr.'s New Federal Theatre, in association with the Castillo Theatre on West 42nd Street and Harlem's National Black Theatre on 125th Street, will present 25 plays by the greatest Black playwrights of all time.

In the month of June, New York City will experience a groundbreaking theatrical event. Woodie King, Jr.'s New Federal Theatre, in association with the Castillo Theatre on West 42nd Street and Harlem's National Black Theatre on 125th Street, will present 25 plays by the greatest Black playwrights of all time.

The Ensemble Studio Theatre and Going to the River have lined up some of the most gifted women playwrights of color - some new, some established - for a three-week presentation of thirteen short plays in a new play series entitled The River Crosses Rivers, a three-week festival of short one-act plays by women of color, September 9 through 27 at the Ensemble Studio Theatre, 549 West 52nd Street.

The Ensemble Studio Theatre and Going to the River have lined up some of the most gifted women playwrights of color - some new, some established - for a three-week presentation of thirteen short plays in a new play series entitled The River Crosses Rivers, a three-week festival of short one-act plays by women of color, September 9 through 27 at the Ensemble Studio Theatre, 549 West 52nd Street.