James A. Williams News

What did our critic think of A UNIQUE ASSIGNMENT at History Theatre?

History Theatre will continue the 23-24 season with A Unique Assignment by Harrison David Rivers. Learn more about this world premiere and see how to purchase tickets!

What did our critic think of LEAR at Cal Shakes?

California Shakespeare Theater has announced the full cast and creative team for LEAR, the world premiere modern verse translation of Williams Shakespeare’s King Lear by playwright and Oakland-native Marcus Gardley.

ABC7 recently profiled Goodman Theatre's Gem Of The Ocean. 'It's teaming with good Black history because it tells the story of coming over from Africa, living in slavery,' Smith said. 'You're talking about individuals who experienced slavery.' Check out the video.

In celebration of Black History Month, Goodman Theatre presents its first-ever on-site art expo—Hidden Gems: A Celebration of African American Artists & Art—in conjunction with the major revival of Gem of the Ocean by August Wilson, directed by Chuck Smith.

Goodman Theatre kicks off the new year with a major revival of August Wilson's Gem of the Ocean—nearly two decades after the play premiered on the same stage.

Resident Director Chuck Smith, who served as the original production's dramaturg, directs a cast of seven—featuring Sharif Atkins (Citizen Barlow), Sydney Charles (Black Mary), Lisa Gaye Dixon (Aunt Ester), Gary Houston (Rutherford Selig), Kelvin Roston, Jr. (Caesar), A.C. Smith (Eli) and James A. Williams (Solly Two Kings).

Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Company announced winners of its 14th Annual August Wilson Monologue Competition National Finals,  held virtually on Monday, May 3, 2021 at 7pm ET. The first place winner was Taloria Merricks from Atlanta; second place, Taylor Jackson from Atlanta; and third place, Tyla Uzo from Los Angeles.

While the theater field remains uncertain yet cautiously optimistic that 2021 will see a return to in-person performances, there is no uncertainty around the systemic inequalities that have been exposed and amplified during the pandemic. Pre-pandemic 'business as usual' will not be enough when theaters open their doors again.

Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company (MJTC) continues its 25th Anniversary Season with O my God! by Anat Gov, translated from the Hebrew by Anthony Berris and Margalit Rodgers. 

In collaboration with the Hillsborough County Alliance for Citizens with Disabilities and Tampa Mayor's Alliance for Persons with Disabilities, on July 26, The Straz Center is presenting the inaugural performance event, Transformations: Building a World of Access and Inclusion. As part of the celebration of the 29th-anniversary celebration of the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) legislation, the event, hosted in Maestros from 6-8 p.m., is free to the public.

Blood Knot by Athol Fugard, currently playing at The Pillsbury House Theatre is a show that was first performed in 1961 and is still just as poignant today. A 'blood knot' is explained in the show as a bond by blood that will never be undone. In this case, the knot ties two brothers together in South Africa in 1960, then heavily racially segregated. One brother, Zachariah, is black and the other, Morris, is white.  

The McKnight Theater Artist Fellowships at the Playwrights' Center recognize Minnesota theater artists other than playwrights whose work demonstrates exceptional artistic merit. The fellowship provides a $25,000 award as well as access to $7,000 in development funds. Selection is based on a commitment to theater arts, evidence of professional achievement and a sustained level of excellence in the applicant's work.

The Playwrights' Center is excited to announce the 2017-18 McKnight National Residency and Commission recipient, 2017-18 McKnight Fellows in Playwriting, 2017-18 McKnight Theater Artist Fellows, 2017-2020 Core Writers and 2017-18 Core Apprentices.

The Playwrights' Center held its 45th Anniversary Gala May 4, 2017 at The Blaisdell in Minneapolis. The Center's Producing Artistic Director Jeremy B. Cohen called the event "a benefit to support the creators, the legacy-builders and innovative theater-makers who transport us through the art of storytelling." Scroll down for photos from the event!

'Disciplined' may seem an odd word to apply to a production of KING LEAR, a tragedy that is about personal and societal dissolution into madness, both individually and at large. But the current mounting in Minneapolis earns that moniker, both in actorly control and design restraint. The result is a masterful rendering that eschews excess but allows the human relationships to be bared and centered.

The Playwrights' Center's 45th anniversary season kicks off October 17 with PlayLabs, a week-long new play festival featuring Core Writers Christina Ham ('West of Central'), Susan Soon He Stanton ('we, the invisibles') and Ken Urban ('The Remains'). Tickets are free and can be reserved at pwcenter.org/playlabs.

Start the fall theater season off right. Get your tickets for August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom now at Two River Theater through October 9th. The superb direction of Ruben Santiago-Hudson along with a stellar cast makes it a must-see production.