Lucy Prebble News

Melbourne Theatre Company has made getting to the theatre in Melbourne a whole lot easier with the launch of its new website makeadatewithmelbourne.com.au. Bringing together MTC shows, nearby accommodation and dining, travel and other attractions, makeadatewithmelbourne.com.au is a great new way to plan a big night out or weekend in Melbourne.

Already off to a brilliant start with the standing-room only Private Lives and the much-discussed Cock also attracting good houses, Melbourne Theatre Company's 2014 Season just got brighter with the announcement of more stars who will come out to play this year.

The 2013 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize has been awarded to U.K. playwright Lucy Kirkwood for her play Chimerica. In addition, a Special Commendation has been awarded to Phoebe Waller-Bridge for her debut play, Fleabag.

'Grieving in pain with no hope to spare I was hurt. Like Naomi in the book of Ruth, I felt as if God had forgotten me. War waged in my soul, too weak to fight, I begged death to visit me. Warring constantly, attrition began to take its toll, corruption and plague so rampant I had lost the taste for life. My wounds were deep, and my scars of abuses were heavy. They were weighing me down,' an excerpt from author Simone Rose's new book says. Being at the cross road of death and life, Rose says she was rescued ashore by God, who restored her faith, strengthening her and being with her through an intimate walk that ultimately empowered her to overcome life's adversaries and become a testimony and blessing to others.

The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize has announced 10 Finalists for its prestigious playwriting award, now celebrating its thirty-sixth year. Chosen from over 100 submitted plays, the Finalists are

The shortlist for the annual Evening Standard Theatre Awards has been announced. Winners revealed at a ceremony presented by Damian Lewis at the Savoy Hotel on November 17, when the recipients of six special awards will also be revealed.

The longlist for the annual Evening Standard Theatre Awards has been announced, and includes Dame Judi Dench, Dame Helen Mirren, James McAvoy and Dominic West.

Associate Artistic Director Sam Strong opens MTC's 2014 mainstage season with Noel Coward's delightful comedy of manners, Private Lives. This sparkling tale about love, lust and marriage stars recent Helpmann Award winner Lucy Durack (Wicked, Legally Blonde) alongside Leon Ford, John Leary and Julie Forsyth.

Juilliard's Drama Division announces the 2013-2014 season of fully-staged productions featuring Juilliard's 43rd group of acting students in their fourth and final year in the drama program at Juilliard. This season's plays include Jeffrey Hatcher's Smash, directed by Victor Pappas; Amy Herzog's The Great God Pan, directed by Maria Mileaf; and Sam Shepard's Buried Child, directed by Daniel Fish. All performances take place in the Stephanie P. McClelland Drama Theater at Juilliard.

The Old Globe today announced the cast and creative team for the Globe's revival of N. Richard Nash's classic romantic comedyThe Rainmaker. Directed by Maria Mileaf, The Rainmaker will run July 13 - August 11, 2013 on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the Old Globe Theatre, part of the Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. Preview performances run July 13 - July 17. Opening night is Thursday, July 18 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at www.TheOldGlobe.org, by phone at (619) 23-GLOBE or by visiting the Box Office at 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park.

Angus Jackson - director of the 2013 Olivier Award-winning production Goodnight Mister Tom - returns to Chichester with the world premiere of If Only by David Edgar. This political drama is described as a witty and astute exploration of the moral dilemmas at the heart of coalition government.

The Ensemble Studio Theatre will honor two of Broadway's most distinguished producers, Jeffrey Richards and Jerry Frankel, at its 45th Anniversary Gala, Monday evening, May 20, at 6:30pm at SIR Stage 37, 508 West 37th Street. Tickets are $500 and $1,000.

Centenary College of Louisiana has been chosen as the home of the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) Region VI for the next three years. Nearly 1,200 students and faculty representing a six-state region will congregate in Shreveport during the week-long festival today, February 26-March 2 to celebrate the finest and most diverse work produced in college and university drama programs.

Adrian Lester and Hattie Morahan took the prizes for Best Actor and Actress at today's Critics' Circle awards, hosted by Mark Shenton and introduced by comedian Arthur Smith, at the Prince of Wales Theatre, London.

Centenary College of Louisiana has been chosen as the home of the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) Region VI for the next three years. Nearly 1,200 students and faculty representing a six-state region will congregate in Shreveport during the week-long festival this February 26-March 2 to celebrate the finest and most diverse work produced in college and university drama programs.

For one night only cast members from Broadway's Phantom of the Opera will take you on a musical sleigh ride accompanied by a three piece band and joined by Broadway Arts Factory student chorus. From carols to holiday classics, this is one night that is guaranteed to get you in the holiday spirit. All proceeds will benefit Broadway Arts Factory, a 501(c)(3) triple threat educational institution.