Jenifer Lewis News

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater has announced Cornelius Smith Jr. (ABC's Scandal and All My Children) will perform in Arena Stage's 2020/21 Season.

We're taking a in-depth look at some of the country's most prestigious college theatre programs to help students learn all about the variety of options they have at their disposal to further their education. With the help of the schools' faculty, we're highlighting everything from audition advice to real world experience and more. Today we're looking at Webster University's Conservatory of Theatre Arts, including its association with professional theatre companies and more.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater announces the world-premiere musical American Prophet, directed and co-written by award-winning playwright Charles Randolph-Wright (Broadway's Motown The Musical) and featuring new music by Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and co-script writer Marcus Hummon. The musical chronicles the life and legacy of one of the most notable human rights leaders of the 19th century, Frederick Douglass. Known as one of the greatest leaders of the abolitionist movement, Douglass was a prominent activist, author, orator and statesman. His own words power the soaring new melodies and original script. Directed by Randolph-Wright, American Prophet runs July 10 - August 16, 2020 in the Kreeger Theater.

Peter Sargent, the founding dean of the Webster University Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts, a mentor to some of the biggest stars on Broadway and in Hollywood, and a recognized local, state and national leader in the performing arts, passed away this afternoon, a statement from his family said.

ABC has shared two clips from the 'O Mother Where Art Thou' of blackish.

Emmy Award winner Debbie Allen in association with The Annenberg Foundation, David Kobrin Foundation, the Rhimes Family Foundation and the Debbie Allen Dance Academy celebrates their 10th Anniversary 'Hot Chocolate Nutcracker' with a special 6pm performance on Saturday, December 7 at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center.

Filmmaker Robert Townsend has truly had a singular career ever since coming to prominence with his groundbreaking 1987 film a?oeThe Hollywood Shuffle.a?? That satirical comedy about Black actors dealing with racial stereotypes in the film and TV industry was famously self-financed by Townsend maxing out his credit cards. Perhaps even more remarkably, he has successfully maintained simultaneous careers over the ensuing decades as an actor, director, writer and producer working in both film and TV, narratives and documentaries, with the occasional mockumentary thrown in for good measure. Along the way, he has worked with a virtual galaxy of stars - Beyoncé, James Earl Jones and Morgan Freeman to name just a few a?" while surviving the inevitable ups and downs of a career in show business. Townsend is now returning to his roots as a stage performer with his solo show a?oeLiving the Shufflea?? at The Marsh Berkeley.

On this day we celebrate legendary composer of stage and screen, the great Marc Shaiman!