Lorraine Toussaint News

Led by Artistic Director Robert Battle, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's 2015 Lincoln Center engagement kicked off with a star-studded Ailey Spirit Gala on Wednesday, June 10th. The one-night-only benefit performance and party honoring the Ford Foundation and sponsored by FedEx featured supermodel and actor Tyson Beckford as Honorary Chair. Gala Co-Chairs were Gina F. Adams, Ricki Lander, Almaz & Marc S. Strachan, Pamela Zilly & John Schaefer and Daria L. & Eric J. Wallach, and the Vice Chairs were Michele & Timothy Barakett, Dr. N. Anthony & Robyn Coles, and Leslie & Tom Maheras. The evening helped raise over $1 million for Ailey's extensive educational programs for young people, including AileyCamp and scholarships to The Ailey School. Scroll down for photos from the event!

Shrunken Shakespeare Company presented the world premiere reading of Chukwudi Iwuji's masterpiece screenplay IRA on June 8th, 2015. The reading was the centerpiece of the SSC 2015 Spring Gala and was directed by Danya Taymor. The Creative Producer was Adam Shulman (Dukes of Hazard: The Beginning, Song One starring Anne Hathaway), host of SSC's Annual Benefit Gala and Staged Reading of at W83 (150 West 83rd Street, between Amsterdam and Columbus). Scroll down for photos from the event!

Shrunken Shakespeare Company (Yvonne Cone and Jennifer Martina, Co-Producing Artistic Directors) announced today that Madeline Brewer has joined the cast as Meg, in the world premiere reading of Chukwudi Iwuji's masterpiece screenplay Ira - on June 8th, 2015. Brewer joins new cast member Eli Gelb (The Squid and the Whale, Holy Rollers).

Allison Janney was the recipient of the Best Supporting Actress Award at last night's Critics' Choice Television Awards, but that wasn't all she received when she came up to the podium to accept the prize.

Shrunken Shakespeare Company (Yvonne Cone and Jennifer Martina, Co-Producing Artistic Directors) and Creative Producer Adam Shulman (Dukes of Hazard: The Beginning, Song One starring Anne Hathaway) to host SSC's Annual Benefit Gala and Staged Reading of Chukwudi Iwuji's masterpiece screenplay Ira - on June 8th, 2015 at The Loft at West 83rd Street (150 West 83rd Street, between Amsterdam and Columbus).

Hailed as “extraordinary” (David Denby, The New Yorker), “deeply moving” (Claudia Puig, USA Today) and “a triumph” (A.O. Scott, New York Times), director Ava DuVernay's powerful drama SELMA debuts on Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and On Demand today, May 5, 2015

Today we are talking to a Tony Award-winning actor, playwright and director all about his many current and upcoming endeavors, the charismatic and versatile Ruben Santiago-Hudson. Besides working on both sides of the footlights as an actor and director, Hudson also has several film and television projects in the ether and recently released - among them, 2015 Academy Award-winning film SELMA, a new TV series executive produced by Stephen Spielberg titled PUBLIC MORALS, a brand new follow-up to his acclaimed multi-award-winning play LACKAWANNA BLUES and more. Most importantly, Hudson shares details about presenting a special award to Phylicia Rashad at the Global Concepts Charter High School's Ruben Santiago-Hudson Fine Arts Center later this week and what the award signifies. Furthermore, Hudson reflects on his iconic collaborations with legendary playwright August Wilson and his ongoing work in keeping the legacy of Wilson's work alive through star-studded live performances of his many notable plays, including last year's unprecedented presentation of all 10 plays in Wilson's canonical century cycle. All of that and much, much more in this chat with a highly respected multimedia notable.

Opening Act, an innovative nonprofit that provides free after-school theater programming to New York City's most under-served public high schools, today announced that Tony Award-winning director Kenny Leon (A Raisin in the Sun) will helm Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage's Fabulation, or The Re-Education of Undine for Opening Act's 9th Annual Benefit Play Reading at New World Stages on April 21st, 2015. Tickets are available to the public via www.telecharge.com - 1 800-447-7400.

Hailed as “extraordinary” (David Denby, The New Yorker), “deeply moving” (Claudia Puig, USA Today) and “a triumph” (A.O. Scott, New York Times), director Ava DuVernay's powerful drama SELMA debuts on Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and On Demand May 5, 2015 from Paramount Home Media Distribution

In honor of the 50th Anniversary of the historic march from SELMA to Montgomery, Alabama, Academy Award® and Golden Globe Award-winning film SELMA is re-released for a special encore engagement beginning today, March 20.

In honor of the 50th Anniversary of the historic march from SELMA to Montgomery, Alabama, Academy Award® and Golden Globe Award-winning film SELMA will be re-released for a special encore engagement beginning Friday March 20.

Below, watch the cast of ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK sing their version of 'Don't Talk To Me' by Tre Coast

Hailed as “extraordinary” (David Denby, The New Yorker), “deeply moving” (Claudia Puig, USA Today) and “a triumph” (A.O. Scott, New York Times), director Ava DuVernay's powerful drama SELMA debuts on Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and On Demand May 5, 2015

John Stephens (John Legend) and Lonnie Lynn (Common) have won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for 'Glory' from the film SELMA.

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network announced today it will air the star-studded primetime television event the “Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards,” featuring exclusive backstage interviews, red-carpet highlights and intimate reflections from some of the most extraordinary African-American women in film and television.

Birmingham, San Diego and Trenton, NJ, have joined the massive national campaign by African-American business leaders to raise funds for free student admission to the Academy Award-nominated and Golden Globe-winning film “SELMA,”

Paramount Pictures today announced that Google will sponsor a screening of the Academy Award-nominated and Golden Globe-winning film “SELMA” for students, teachers and administrators at Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) at BAM Rose Cinemas on Friday, January 23rd.

In New York, Meryl Streep, Christine Baranski and Tracey Ullman performed a surprise musical number before presenting Emmy Award-winning director Rob Marshall (Into the Woods) with the New York City Apple Award

The Casting Society of America (CSA) just presented the 30th Annual Artios Awards last night, January 22, 2015 during the height of awards season. The New York City ceremony was hosted by Michael Urie at 42WEST (formerly XL Nightclub) Cabaret & Lounge (512 West 42nd Street). BroadwayWorld was there for the special night and you can check out photos from the starry red carpet below!

The Casting Society of America (CSA) just presented the 30th Annual Artios Awards last night, January 22, 2015 during the height of awards season. The New York City ceremony was hosted by Michael Urie at 42WEST (formerly XL Nightclub) Cabaret & Lounge (512 West 42nd Street). BroadwayWorld was there for the special night and you can check out photos from inside the ceremony below!