Kristoffer Diaz News

WELCOME TO ARROYO’S is the current production by The Tesseract Theatre Company that closed on May 7th.  Brittanie Gunn directs a funny and mostly effective production of Diaz’s uneven play. There are plenty of genuine laughs, more resulting from the energy, physical acting choices and rapping ability of Kevin Corpuz (Nelson) and Jacob Schmidt (Trip) than from the actual script itself. Corpuz and Schmidt play two DJs who advance half of the narrative with their hip-hop performance and their story telling. These two are the heart and soul of the play and never fail to captivate the audience when they are front and center.

A chat with christopher oscar peña and Kristoffer Diaz about their projects, the importance of residencies like Playwright Convening, and the current state of theatre in America.

MFA programs in performing arts face challenges in adapting. Tony eligibility decisions and Drama League nominations revealed. 2023 Tony Awards Live Pre-Show to be streamed for free on Pluto TV. Easter Bonnet Competition raises over $3.6 million for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Read on for more.

Tomorrow is the big day—the Tony nominations. That means last week was the last eligibility decisions. Let’s peek behind the curtain at some of the main things we learned last week.

Second Stage Theater is continuing its commitment to nurturing American playwrights with THE 2023 JUDITH CHAMPION READING SERIES and the inaugural NANCY DENOVAN MUSICAL READING. 

Governmental funding shifts continue around the globe as governments reveal their latest budget proposals - often with some form of a decrease of support for the creative economy as these countries wind down the support they offered at the height of the pandemic.

This time of year, most know the most important people in the industry are sadly not anyone putting on a show, but rather the Tony nominators. Usually, this is the time that many selected nominators start dropping out, typically because of involvement in an eligible production or failure to see all eligible productions. This season, we’ve so far had very few recusals, so as of now there is a pretty full slate.

The American Academy of Arts and Letters announced the two recipients of the 2023 Richard Rodgers Awards for Musical Theater. Both winning musicals will receive funds toward their presentation in staged readings at nonprofit theaters in New York City.

The Dramatists Guild is welcoming playwright Diana Burbano, playwright Andrew Creech, playwright Samuel D. Hunter, playwright Rajiv Joseph and composer/lyricist Helen Park to the Dramatists Guild Council.

WELCOME TO ARROYO'S is a moving and must-see play about family, grief, love, art, and the importance of being open to new perspectives and experiences. But more than anything else, it’s about community.

Second Stage Theater (Carole Rothman, President and Artistic Director) has announced that Lisa Lawer Post has been named Interim Executive Director at Second Stage Theater. Ms. Post will officially join the award-winning Broadway and Off-Broadway institution on February 27, 2023.   Current Executive Director Khady Kamara will depart the company at the end of the month.

Second Stage Theater has just announced the cast for its upcoming production of Larissa FastHorse’s play, THE THANKSGIVING PLAY. Find out all the details about who will star in the new play!

Due to popular demand, Second Stage Theater has added four simulcast performances of BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY. See details about the performances, and learn how to purchase tickets!

American Blues Theater, under the continued leadership of Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside, announces the recipient of the 2023 Blue Ink Award is Kristoffer Diaz for his play Things With Friends. As part of the award, Diaz receives a $2,500 cash prize, a staged reading at American Blues Theater, and the opportunity to further develop his script with American Blues Theater.

Second Stage Theater will partner with Common and his not-for-profit, Imagine Justice, to host “Justice Nights On Broadway” following the matinee performances of Between Riverside and Crazy at The Hayes Theater on Saturday, February 11th and Saturday, February 18th 2023.

A new musical is in the works based on the life of singer/songwriter Alicia Keys! According to an Equity casting notice, the production is set to premiere off-Broadway as part of the New York Shakespeare Festival in May or June.

Second Stage Theater will host a Winter’s Ball geared towards young professionals and arts patrons, featuring Michael R. Jackson and Common. The fundraising event will take place on Monday, February 27 at The Pierre Hotel. See

Court Theatre will present the 2023 Spotlight Reading Series. The Spotlight Reading Series will run March 15 - 17, 2023 from 6:30pm - 8:30pm at the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts.

Gary Perez has joined the cast of Stephen Adly Guirgis’ Pulitzer Prize-winning play, BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY, directed by Austin Pendleton.  Mr. Perez assumed the role of Lieutenant Caro on January 20, 2023.

Pasadena Playhouse has announced the cast for Sunday in the Park with George, the first production of the theater’s six-month-long celebration of Stephen Sondheim. See performances dates and how to purchase tickets!