Jim Helsinger News

Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival kicks off its 35th anniversary season with MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, directed by Jim Helsinger and starring national tour veterans recreating the legendary 1956 Sun Records jam session at DeSales University.

Orlando Shakes’ 'Bare Bard' production of Henry VI Part III is a high-stakes, dangerous, and riveting 'palette cleanser' for the theatre purist. Its scrappy, sophisticated storytelling proves all you need is a script and some 'Bare Bard' brilliance.

Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival has opened single-ticket sales for its 2026 Summer Theatre Series, themed 'Legends and Legacy,' in celebration of its 35th anniversary.

In a production that marries 16th-century gravitas with 21st-century urgency, Director Monica Long Tamborello finds a delicate balance between Act I’s playful hope and Act II’s harrowing descent, reminding us that while the feud is ancient, the loss of innocence remains a devastatingly contemporary price to pay.

Brendan O'Leary (Romeo) and Nadia Ra'Shaun (Juliet) pull back the curtain on the 'young energy' and intense preparation behind their title roles in Shakespeare's most famous tragedy. From the technicalities of 'Juliet Boot Camp' and the secret musicality of Shakespearean vowels to the high-stakes anxiety of playing dead for 16 minutes while school groups watch for a flinch, the duo explores how they keep a 400-year-old story feeling urgent and real.

Orlando Shakes will present Anna in the Tropics, a Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Cuban-American playwright Nilo Cruz. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.

In a special citywide proclamation, the City of Orlando has officially declared June 2, 2025, as “Jim Helsinger 30th Anniversary Celebration Day”, honoring Orlando Shakes’ Artistic Director for three decades of visionary leadership and artistic excellence.

Orlando Shakes' has announced titles for its 2025-2026 season including, two Pulitzer Prize-winning plays, a popular annual holiday tradition, and Shakespeare's most famous love story.

Cheryl Collins has been named Executive Director of Orlando Shakes in partnership with UCF, Board President A. Noni Holmes-Kidd. She has been serving as Orlando Shakes' Executive Consultant since this past December. 

Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival will present Shakespeare’s fan favorite comedy, The Merry Wives of Windsor. Directed by Matt Pfeiffer, the production runs June 26 to July 7 on the Main Stage at the Labuda Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of DeSales University.

Orlando Shakes has unveiled its 2024-25 Season featuring a rolling world premiere, and much more. Learn how to purchase tickets!

Orlando Shakes announces the appointment of Larry Mabrey as its new Managing Director. Mabrey joins the team after serving as the managing director of Santa Cruz Shakespeare.

Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival (PSF) presents William Shakespeare's magical masterpiece The Tempest. Directed by Jason King Jones, the Festival's newly appointed Artistic Director, and starring Broadway veteran Robert Cuccioli, the production previews July 12 and 13, opens Friday, July 14 and runs through August 6 on the Main Stage at the Labuda Center for the Performing Arts at DeSales University in Center Valley, PA.

Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival (PSF) presents William Shakespeare's magical masterpiece The Tempest. Directed by Jason King Jones, the Festival's newly appointed Artistic Director, and starring Broadway veteran Robert Cuccioli, the production previewed July 12 and 13, opens Friday, July 14 and runs through August 6 on the Main Stage at the Labuda Center for the Performing Arts at DeSales University in Center Valley, PA.

The Orlando Shakespeare Theater in partnership with UCF is announcing the search for a new managing director. Current Managing Director Douglas Love-Ramos is leaving the company on Wednesday, July 5.

Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival has announced the complete principal casts, creative teams, and events planned for the previously announced summer season.

Featuring a year-long celebration, Orlando Shakes in partnership with UCF has announced its upcoming productions for the 2023-24 season – its 35th in Central Florida.

The winners have been announced for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Orlando Awards, honoring the best in regional productions, touring shows, and more which had their first performance between October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022.

The latest standings as of Monday, December 19th, have been released for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Sarasota Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.

The latest standings as of Monday, December 19th, have been released for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Orlando Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.