Langston Hughes News

Copious Love Productions and Gaisma Theatre Group will co-produce the world premiere production of Chicken Tinders, a new musical with book and lyrics by Scott Zenreich and music and lyrics by John Gregor.

The 2026 Africana Arts & Humanities Festival, set for March 27-28 at the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center, will explore 250 years of Black life and culture. This annual event features scholarly discussions, artistic performances, and community activities, highlighting the contributions of the African diaspora.

Music at the Odyssey will host a one-time performance of John Snow's THE POETRY IN MUSIC, exploring the intersection of verse and melody.

Shriver Hall Concert Series will continue its 60th anniversary and 2025-26 concert season this March with performances by the Isidore String Quartet with pianist Jeremy Denk and soprano Golda Schultz with pianist Jonathan Ware.

Lyric Opera of Kansas City has received a grant from The Missouri Humanities Council to support their new touring program, LANGSTON HUGHES: A LYRICAL LIFE.

Company of Angels will present RED HARLEM, a new play based on the historical engagement between the Soviet Union's Communist Party and Black American actors during the Great Depression.

Experience the fusion of jazz and poetry as Lakewood Cultural Center hosts ASK YOUR MAMA, featuring the Ron McCurdy Quartet, this February. Learn more about the performance here!

International Literary Properties, the global company that invests in, acquires, manages, and enhances literary and theatrical intellectual properties, revealed the closing of a new credit facility from Fifth Third Bank.

International Literary Properties has revealed two new appointments to its senior leadership team. James Meader has been named President, Publishing of ILP Literary and Jennifer Bassuk will serve as President, Partnerships for ILP Literary.

Submissions are currently open for Royal Family Productions ‘s 2026 artist fellowship in partnership with Ann Hairston, honoring the legacy of her father, William R. Hairston Jr., a trailblazing Black actor, playwright, and cultural leader whose career spanned stage, screen, and public service.

Passage Theatre, the only professional theatre company in Trenton, will open David Robson's Muleheaded, or Zora and Langston Write a Play, a world premiere.

Royal Family Productions has announced a 2026 artist fellowship in partnership with Ann Hairston, honoring the legacy of her father, William R. Hairston Jr. — a trailblazing Black actor, playwright, and cultural leader.

West Coast Black Theatre presents 'Black Nativity' in their annual 'Christmas card to the Community.' The performance, infused with a fresh new energy, showcases captivating dancing and powerful singing that truly sets the stage for a memorable start to any holiday celebration.

Bishop Arts Theatre Center will present its 2025 production of BLACK NATIVITY, written and directed by Calvin J. Walker. The production will feature new original music by Walker and Steven A. Taylor and a contemporary framing of Langston Hughes’ classic.

Now on display at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts is an exhibition highlighting the history of Black musical theater- Syncopated Stages: Black Disruptions to the Great White Way. Watch in this video as Curatorial Advisory Michael McElroy gives us a tour and some insight into how the exhibition came to be!

Jazz vocalist Allan Harris will return to the Amaturo Theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts on December 3, 2025, where he will perform music from his newest album A Poetry of Jazz alongside a selection of seasonal favorites.

New World Symphony’s fifth annual I Dream a World Festival, titled “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” will take place February 18–22, 2026, highlighting the impact of Black artist-activists through music, poetry, and performance.

Brévo Theatre will present the second annual production of Black Nativity by Langston Hughes from December 6–21, 2025, expanding its reach to both Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe – once again – invites the community to celebrate the holiday season with “Black Nativity – Reimagined,” an inspirational gospel musical originally penned by poet/playwright Langston Hughes.

Black Theatre Troupe will present Langston Hughes’ celebrated song play, BLACK NATIVITY at the Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center. The story weaves together the power of gospel music, dance, and spoken word.