Jaclyn Backhaus News

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director/CEO) is thrilled to announce the eighth annual Roundabout Underground Reading Series, a five-night event that includes nightly readings of new works written and directed by emerging artists, as well as post-show receptions. The Reading Series will feature new works by Aaron Carter, Emily Feldman, Dave Harris, Jonathan Spector and Sanaz Toossi.

New year, new Kilroys! For the past five years The Kilroys, an LA-based collective of playwrights/producers continuing the fight to achieve gender balance in the American theater, have been advocating for equal representation on our American stages, and have released an annual list of under-produced plays by women, trans, and non-binary writers. Despite some measurable progress, we still have a long way to go before we strike that balance. So, as we approach 2019, we are beyond thrilled to introduce a fresh new gang of fearless badass leaders. These women will seize our reins and continue the fight for equality, creating random acts of disruption along the way, while the OG Kilroys will serve as an advisory board supporting the current class. 

The Drama League (Gabriel Stelian-Shanks, Executive Artistic Director) has announced the theater directors chosen to develop new plays and musicals as part of the 2019 Drama League Artist Residency Program. Public work-in-progress presentations of each residency will be held periodically throughout the year at The Drama League Theater Center, 32 Avenue of the Americas, in Tribeca. Schedules for the presentations, which are open to the public, will be available throughout 2019 at www.dramaleague.org or by calling (212) 244-9494.

All aboard for Jaclyn Backhaus' thrilling, testosterone-filled expedition down the Colorado River and through the wonderous gorges of the Grand Canyon in her sly and very funny take on macho adventuring mid-19th century America. Based on the journals of one-armed Civil War veteran John Wesley Powell and his ragtag band of explorers, thrill-seekers, soldiers and trappers, Backhaus' script and Tamilla Woodard's superb direction shines a keen, incisive eye on the men who 'conquered' the West, their own fears and trepidations.

MEN ON BOATS is hands down, must-see theatre! This production accomplishes what all plays aspire to, but few achieve - all-around excellence. The crew's journey, described by Sides as 'an apt metaphor for the peril faced by many in our society on a daily basis, ' is fraught with important meaning while still maintaining levity and fun. This 'rollicking' sometimes vulnerable show reminds its audience to find adventure in their own lives. After all, we only get one.

Manhattan Theatre Club's world premiere of India Pale Ale, written by Jaclyn Backhaus and directed by Will Davis, and New York premiere of The Niceties, written by Eleanor Burgess and directed by Kimberly Senior, are now playing their final two weeks of performances. Both plays must close on Sunday, November 18th atMTC's New York City Center - Stage I and Stage II (131 West 55th Street).

Get a first look below Men on Boats-Jaclyn Backhaus's hilarious, historical, and moving adventure-performing at American Conservatory Theater's Strand Theater now through Sunday, December 16, 2018. 

History, legend, magic realism, and hilarious comedy illuminate the tale of John Wesley Powell's famous 1869 expedition down the Colorado River into the Grand Canyon. Under the command of an intrepid Civil War veteran with only one arm, ten men set out through uncharted territory in wooden rowboats on the adventure of their lifetimes.  Six men completed the journey.  New Hampshire Theatre Project's 30th Anniversary Season opens with the exciting adventure story Men on Boats by Jaclyn Backhaus. 

India Pale Ale is now playing at MTC at New York City Center - Stage I (131 West 55th Street).

Manhattan Theatre Club's world premiere of India Pale Ale, written by Jaclyn Backhaus and directed by Will Davis, celebrated opening night yesterday evening. Let's see what the critics had to say.

Ten volunteers chart the course of the Colorado River in Jaclyn Backhaus' off-the-wall comedy, Men On Boats. With a one-armed captain and a loyal crew, follow the true(ish) story of the 1869 Grand Canyon expedition. This widely acclaimed and hysterical new play closes Circle's 37th season with a splash! Will they survive the wild rapids to change the course of history?

Manhattan Theatre Club's world premiere of India Pale ale, written by Jaclyn Backhaus and directed by Will Davis, will celebrate opening night tomorrow at MTC at New York City Center - Stage I (131 West 55th Street). The new play began performances on Tuesday, October 2.

Yesterday, October 15th at The Lotos Club (5 East 66th Street, New York City), the 2018 recipients of the biennial Horton Foote Prize, were celebrated for excellence in American theater. The 2018 Prize for Outstanding New American Play, presented to a work produced in the 2016-17 or 2017-18 seasons, was awarded to Cambodian Rock Band by Lauren Yee. The 2018 Prize for Promising New American Play, presented to a previously unproduced work, was awarded to India Pale Ale by Jaclyn Backhaus.

Ars Nova, "one of the most adventurous Off-Broadway companies" (New York Times), under the leadership of Founding Artistic Director Jason Eagan and Managing Director Renee Blinkwolt, will host Over/Under Unplugged, a free concert series following select Friday evening performances of Andrew R. Butler's Rags Parkland Sings the Songs of The Future. Concerts will feature performers from The Future and special guests performing unplugged and up close. They'll #playforchange with any donations dropped in their bucket going to select charities including the National Network of Abortion Funds, The Trevor Project, and The National Eating Disorders Association.

Under the command of an intrepid Civil War veteran with only one arm, ten men set out through uncharted territory in wooden rowboats on the adventure of their lifetimes. Six men completed the journey. New Hampshire Theatre Project's 30th Anniversary Season opens with the exciting adventure story Men on Boats by Jaclyn Backhaus. History, legend, magic realism, and hilarious comedy illuminate the tale of John Wesley Powell's famous 1869 expedition down the Colorado River into the Grand Canyon.

India Pale Ale is now in previews ahead of a Tuesday, October 23 opening at MTC at New York City Center - Stage I (131 West 55th Street).

Ten volunteers chart the course of the Colorado River in Jaclyn Backhaus' off-the-wall comedy, Men On Boats. With a one-armed captain and a loyal crew, follow the true(ish) story of the 1869 Grand Canyon expedition. This widely acclaimed and hysterical new play closes Circle's 37th season with a splash! Will they survive the wild rapids to change the course of history?

Get a first look at the cast of American Conservatory Theater's upcoming production of Men on Boats, Jaclyn Backhaus's subversive retelling of 19th-century American explorers, performing at A.C.T.'s Strand Theater October 17-December 16, 2018. 

Live Source Theatre Group (Tyler Mercer, Co-Founder & Artistic Director; Chris Dieman, Co-Founder & Artist in Residence), as part of their 7th season, presents the world premiere of SUDDENLY, a new play based on the classic 1954 noir film starring Frank Sinatra, adapted by Gianfranco Settecasi after the screenplay by Richard Sale.  Directed by Tyler Mercer, SUDDENLY will play a limited engagement at HERE (145 6th Avenue, NYC - Enter on Dominick, one block south of Spring). Performances begin Friday, October 5th and the engagement runs through Saturday, October 20th, 2018.  The Opening is Sunday, October 7th at 4pm.

Pipeline Theatre Company will kick off of its 10th anniversary season with a one-of-a-kind benefit for the company: Pipeline's Amazing Race, taking place Sunday, October 21. Pipeline is also pleased to announce that Caileigh Scott has joined the company in the new role of managing director.