Matt Martin News

FRIGID New York and The Apollo will present the 17th season of the Obie Award-winning The Fire This Time Festival, a platform for playwrights of African and African-American descent to write and produce evocative material for diverse audiences.

The Apollo announced that The Fire This Time Festival, the Obie-Award-winning theater festival celebrating playwrights of African and African American descent, will make its permanent home at The Apollo Stages at The Victoria.

Baltimore Center Stage and Breaking the Binary Theatre joined forces earlier this year to launch a groundbreaking national initiative: The Trans History Project. Learn more!

As TheaterWorksUSA approaches its 60th anniversary in 2027, they have announced the launch of TWTheatricals, a new division dedicated to creating fully produced, full-length works for multigenerational audiences.

As TheaterWorksUSA approaches its 60th anniversary in 2027, the nonprofit producer is launching TWTheatricals, a new division dedicated to creating fully produced, full-length works for multigenerational audiences.

Who knew going to church could be this dramatic? Well, maybe we all had a hunch, but Arkansas Repertory Theatre in Little Rock is taking Central Arkansas to church, both literally and figuratively, now through August 24th with The Amen Corner by the legendary James Baldwin.

Check out first look video of Arkansas Repertory Theatre’s new production of The Amen Corner, written by world-renowned author James Baldwin and directed by Ken-Matt Martin. Part of The Rep’s 2025 SummerStage season, the production will run through August 17 and feature Phyllis Yvonne Stickney and Gillian Glasco.

The Arkansas Repertory Theatre will extend The Amen Corner through August 24, 2025, with James Baldwin’s stirring play featuring rotating guest choirs from across Central Arkansas.

Homecoming.  That’s what this past Monday night at CALS Ron Robinson felt like for me.  A delightful homecoming where you literally love and adore all your kinfolks.  When Theresa invited me to review 24 HOUR PLAYS: LITTLE ROCK, I gladly accepted.  Heck!  I already had my ticket to attend.

Tickets are now on sale for Arkansas Repertory Theatre's new production of THE AMEN CORNER, written by world-renowned author James Baldwin and directed by Ken-Matt Martin. Learn more!

Tickets are now on sale for THE AMEN CORNER, written by world-renowned author James Baldwin and the next production in The Rep’s 2025 SummerStage season. Learn more!

Currently on stage at the Arkansas Repertory Theatre through Sunday, June 8, is the World Premiere of ME AND THE DEVIL, written and directed by the Rep’s new Artistic Director, Steve H. Broadnax III. Described as his “love note to the South,” the production pulses with blues, brims with drama, and drips with decadence—everything we love in a show. A few days before opening night, we had the privelege to get to know this powerhouse artist.

Writers Theatre will continue its 2024/25 Season with Brian Friel’s touching Irish drama Translations directed by Braden Abraham. Translations will run April 3 – May 4, 2025 in the Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe. 

We had the best morning hanging out with Little Rock high schoolers watching PROUD! 2025 at Arkansas Repertory Theatre Thursday, Feb. 27. Not only did I see a prfound presentation on Black History in Arkansas, but I got to witness these young minds embracing this knowledge in an artistic way that was both inspiring and thought-provoking. Seeing their engagement—whether through thoughtful discussion, or simply the light of realization in their eyes—reminded me how vital it is to share these stories.  

We'll unpack the NEA's latest grant guidelines (including the loss of Challenge America), celebrate the work of Broadway Cares', and share some genuinely good news about audiences returning to theaters. Plus, we've got updates on new leadership, labor victories, and international investments that are shaping the future of the performing arts.

Preeminent theater director, cultural worker, and collaborator Ken-Matt Martin has been appointed as Producing Director at both Baltimore Center Stage and Arkansas Repertory Theatre.

The Arkansas Repertory Theatre has named Steve H. Broadnax III as its new Artistic Director. Learn more about Broadnax III and about The Arkansas Repertory Theatre.

This February, the Arkansas Repertory Theatre will present a new iteration of its living history educational production- “PROUD! Celebrating the African American Journey through an Artistic Lens”.

The Arkansas Repertory Theatre has announced the return of a special holiday performance event: “A Merrier Motown Christmas”, running December 18-23, 2024. Single tickets for “A Merrier Motown Christmas” are on sale now.

Baltimore Center Stage will present Jane Austen’s PRIDE & PREJUDICE in a new production written by Kate Hamill adapted from the classic novel. See photos from production.