Lena Waithe News

Emmy award-winning writer, actor, and producer Lena Waithe has joined The Fire This Time Festival as a Creative Consultant for their New Works Lab. TFTT also revealed the artists who were selected for Cycle 8th of New Works Lab.

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is March 4, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

Tony Award winner Alan Cumming, Wicked star Bowen Yang, actor/producer Lena Waithe, and writer/director Adam Goldman are partnering on The Necessary Foundation, which will provide support and opportunities to the next generation of LGBTQ+ filmmakers.

Cynthia Erivo, Viola Davis, Colman Domingo, Angela Bassett, and more took home awards this past weekend at the 57th NAACP Image Awards. Check out the full list of winners now.

To mark the arrival of spring, there are plenty of new things for Broadway fans to watch, including the theater series American Classic, Maggie Gyllenhaal's The Bride! and the streaming debuts of Wicked: For Good and Hamnet.

Lena Waithe and Cynthia Erivo have joined the producing team of CATS: The Jellicle Ball on Broadway, which will begin performances this spring at the Broadhurst Theatre.

New York Theatre Workshop will present Kathryn Grody's new play THE UNEXPECTED 3RD at the upcoming IN THE BRICKS Festival, showcasing innovative theatrical works.

Julia Tolchin and Gabriel Rivas lead the cast in the world premiere of BURL, a new play by Amanda Dacks, opening March 27, 2026, at The Other Space in West Hollywood. Directed by Ana Verde, the play explores themes of connection and change through the lives of two children and a significant oak tree.

The NAACP has announced the full list of “NAACP Image Awards” nominees, with nominees including Wicked: For Good, Cynthia Erivo, Audra McDonald, and more. Check out the full list here.

“Hey A.J.!,” a new animated family comedy series, is set to premiere with a marathon of the first seven episodes on Tuesday, Jan. 13, on Disney Jr. The episodes will then be available to stream on Disney+ on Wednesday, Jan. 14.

New York Theatre Workshop has announced dates and ticket information for the world premiere of My Joy is Heavy, created and performed by Obie Award-winning duo & NYTW Usual Suspects The Bengsons (Hundred Days, The Keep Going Songs), directed by Tony Award winner and NYTW Usual Suspect Rachel Chavkin (Hadestown; Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812).

Manhattan Theatre Club is presenting the Off-Broadway production of Queens, by Pulitzer Prize winner Martyna Majok, and directed by Trip Cullman. See photos of Julia Lester, Marin Ireland, Anna Chlumsky and more at the opening night curtain call and after party!

Manhattan Theatre Club is presenting the Off-Broadway production of Queens, by Pulitzer Prize winner Martyna Majok, and directed by Trip Cullman. See photos of the company on the red carpet.

Ars Nova has extended the world premiere of HEAUX CHURCH, presented in association with Lena Waithe. Learn more about the play and see how to purchase tickets here.

Ars Nova has released first-look photos from the world premiere production of HEAUX CHURCH, the new Off-Broadway work written and performed by Brandon Kyle Goodman.

The Public Theater is now presenting the New York premiere of OH HAPPY DAY!, a new play featuring original songs by Grammy Award-winning Donald Lawrence, written by Tony Award-nominated Jordan E. Cooper, and directed by Tony Award-nominated and Obie Award-winning Stevie Walker-Webb. Check out photos from opening night here!

The Micheaux Film Festival has revealed initial programming for its seventh edition, which includes the Los Angeles premiere of “It’s Dorothy,” a new documentary exploring 125 years of Dorothy Gale’s cultural legacy.

Ars Nova will kick-off its 2025-2026 season with the world premiere of HEAUX CHURCH, presented in association with Lena Waithe. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.

The HBO Original two-part documentary Seen & Heard: The History Of Black Television will debut on Tuesday, September 9 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO.. Watch a trailer for the film here.

New York Theatre Workshop will present the first ever In the Bricks Festival, a curated festival of intimate work that explores the elemental connection between performer, audience and our times presented in the bricks of New York Theatre Workshop.