Leo Shull News

The Drama League presents DirectorFest,  the only festival in the United States dedicated to the art of contemporary stage directing. Launching the 2020 series is the musical Hello Again, with Book, Music and Lyrics by Michael John LaChiusa, Music Direction by Jesse Kissel, and Directed by 2019 Drama League Leo Shull Musical Directing Fellow Ben Randle.

The Drama League (Artistic Director Gabriel Stelian-Shanks, Executive Director Bevin Ross) announced today the acting company for the 36th annual DirectorFest, the only festival in the United States dedicated to the art of contemporary stage directing. Directorfest will take place January 10 - February 4, 2020 at various locations around NYC: The New Ohio Theatre (154 Christopher Street), The Drama League Theater Center (32 Avenue of the Americas), LaGuardia Performing Arts Center (31-10 Thomson Avenue), and Joe's Pub (425 Lafayette Street). For festival details and tickets, visit directorfest.org or call (212) 244-9494 x102.

The Drama League announced today the 2020 line-up of DirectorFest: The 36th Annual Directors Festival, the only festival in the United States dedicated to the art of contemporary stage directing. For its 36th year, the festival will include six fully-staged productions, a showcase concert of a new musical, a town hall, and conversations with directors including 2017 Tony Award Winner Rebecca Taichman (Indecent), 2014 Tony Award Winner and 2010 Drama League Founders Award for Excellence in Directing Kenny Leon (A Soldier's Play), and Intimacy Director Claire Warden (HBO's Mrs. Fletcher).

The Drama League has revealed more of the artists who will be celebrating Sutton Foster at the organization's 36th Annual Benefit Gala next week. The black-tie evening honoring Foster a?" a two-time Tony Award, Drama Desk, Outer Critics, Fred Astaire, and Gracie Award winner and star of TV Land's hit television series a?oeYoungera?? -- will take place on Monday, October 28, 2019 beginning at 6:30 p.m. in New York City at The Plaza (768 Fifth Avenue). As previously announced, EY is the 2019 recipient of The Drama League's Arts Ally Award, to be accepted by Herb Engert at the Benefit Gala.

The Drama League has announced that EY is the 2019 recipient of The Drama League's Arts Ally Award, to be presented to Herb Engert at the 36th Annual Drama League Benefit Gala.

The Drama League has revealed some of the artists who will be honoring Sutton Foster at the organization's 36th Annual Benefit Gala this fall. The black-tie evening honoring Foster a?" a two-time Tony Award, Drama Desk, Outer Critics, Fred Astaire, and Gracie Award winner and star of TV Land's hit television series a?oeYoungera?? -- will take place on Monday, October 28, 2019 beginning at 6:30 p.m. in New York City at The Plaza (768 Fifth Avenue).

The Drama League has announced its 2019 Fall Series, including new play readings, open rehearsals, master workshops and conversations with America's leading stage directors, to be held at The Drama League Theater Center

The Drama League (Gabriel Stelian-Shanks, Artistic Director) opened its applications today for the 2020 Drama League Directors Project, which offer unique Fellowship and Residency opportunities for professional stage directors at all levels of experience to advance their artistry, learn new skills, develop and present new work, and propel their careers. The only program of its kind in the nation, the deadline for completed applications is 11:59pm US EDT on Monday, February 3, 2020.

Park Square Theatre opens its Proscenium Stage Season with the Tony Award-nominated campy rock musical THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW by Richard O'Brien (Sept 27 a?" Nov 2, 2019), directed by Ilana Ransom Toeplitz. a?oeI really want to rock the house and upend the way that people think of Park Square,a?? says Flordelino Lagundino, Park Square's Artistic Director.

Vassar & New York Stage and Film announce casting for the first mainstage production of the Powerhouse Season as well as the addition of the musical Galileo and play Becky Nurse of Salem to the readings festival, and the announcement of the 2019 New York Stage and Film Founders' Award recipient and Fellows.

The Drama League has announced the twelve stage directors who have been selected as the 2019 Directing Fellows of The Drama League Directors Project: NJ Agwuna, Sharifa Elkady, Raz Golden, Chika Ike, Rebecca Marzalek-Kelly, Ismael Lara, Jr., Amanda McRaven, Lindsey Hope Pearlman, Ben Randle, Tai Thompson, Gabriel Torres, and Sophia Watt. They will be publicly introduced to the professional theatre community during the 85th Annual Drama League Awards, which will be held on Friday, May 17, 2019 at the Marriott Marquis Times Square (1535 Broadway). More information can be found at www.dramaleague.org

Award-winning writer/actress Renee Taylor will be bringing her touring one-woman show RENEE TAYLOR'S MY LIFE ON A DIET back to her home town at The Wallis April 5, 2019. Known to many television fans of The Nanny as Fran Drescher's TV mom, Renee has collaborated on a multitude of movie and theatrical projects with her late husband Joe Bologna. I had the very lovely chance to get some hilarious answers to my under-other-circumstances, 'un-polite' questions.

The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center announced today plans for a major exhibition examining the work of Hal Prince opening in the fall of 2019. The as-yet-untitled exhibition will document Prince's illustrious career from his early days serving as stage manager and understudy in Wonderful Town to his most recent collaborations using documents, objects, and recordings from the Library's unparalleled collections.

The Drama League (Executive Artistic Director Gabriel Stelian-Shanks) opened DirectorFest 2019: The 35th Annual Directors Festival, the only festival in the United States exploring the art of contemporary stage directing, last evening with the musical Marry Me A Little, Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Directed by 2018 Leo Shull Musical Theatre Directing Fellow Kemar Jewel, with music direction by Josh Kight at New Ohio Theatre (154 Christopher Street). Festival programming, tickets and additional details are available at www.directorfest.org, or by calling (212) 244-9494.

The Drama League presents DirectorFest 2019: The 35th Annual Directors Festival, the only festival in the United States exploring the art of contemporary stage directing, now in its 35th year. The festival will include six fully-staged productions, a showcase evening of a new musical, discussion forums, and conversations with notable American directors. DirectorFest will take place at various locations around NYC: New Ohio Theatre (154 Christopher Street), The Drama League Theater Center (32 Avenue of the Americas), LaGuardia Performing Arts Center (31-10 Thompson Avenue, Long Island City), and Joe's Pub (425 Lafayette Street). Festival programming, tickets and additional details are available at www.directorfest.org, or by calling (212) 244-9494.

The Drama League (Executive Artistic Director Gabriel Stelian-Shanks) has announced casting for DirectorFest 2019: The 35th Annual Directors Festival, the only festival in the United States exploring the art of contemporary stage directing. DirectorFest takes place at various locations around NYC: New Ohio Theatre (154 Christopher Street), The Drama League Theater Center (32 Avenue of the Americas), LaGuardia Performing Arts Center (31-10 Thompson Avenue, Long Island City), and Joe's Pub (425 Lafayette Street). Festival programming, tickets and additional details are available at www.directorfest.org, or by calling (212) 244-9494.

The Drama League (Gabriel Stelian-Shanks, Executive Artistic Director) has announced the theater directors chosen to develop new plays and musicals as part of the 2019 Drama League Artist Residency Program. Public work-in-progress presentations of each residency will be held periodically throughout the year at The Drama League Theater Center, 32 Avenue of the Americas, in Tribeca. Schedules for the presentations, which are open to the public, will be available throughout 2019 at www.dramaleague.org or by calling (212) 244-9494.

The Drama League has announced additional special guests for its 35th Annual Benefit Gala: A Musical Celebration of Broadway honoring film, television, theater icon and three-time Tony Award winner Nathan Lane.

The Drama League (Executive Artistic Director, Gabriel Stelian-Shanks) has announced the roster of special guest performers for its 35th Annual Benefit Gala: A Musical Celebration of Broadway honoring film, television, theater icon and three-time Tony Award winner Nathan Lane. The black-tie evening, which will also celebrate theater producer Fran Weissler for Visionary Leadership in American Theater, will take place on Monday, November 5, 2018 beginning at 6:30 p.m. in New York City at The Plaza (768 Fifth Avenue). The Gala Co-Chairs are Kathy Henderson, Janet M. Kagan, and Joseph Pizza.

The Drama League opened its applications today for the 2019 Directors Project Fellowship Programs, which offer unique opportunities for early and mid-career stage directors to advance their artistry, learn new skills, stage new work, and develop their careers.  The only program of its kind in the nation, it boasts 12 different fellowships, including a new initiative in community-based theater and a new immersion in the development of new musicals.  The deadline for completed applications is 12:00 p.m. (US EST) on Tuesday, December 11, 2018.