Melissa Maxwell News

The University of Texas at Austin Department of Theatre and Dance presents Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Lynn Nottage's tale of romance, ambition, and self-discovery, Intimate Apparel, March 1-9 at the Oscar G. Brockett Theatre.

Vital Theatre presents another world premiere musical, SHOW WAY. The production tells the story of seven generations of women who pass quilts, or 'show ways,' from daughter to daughter. As these quilts pass -- from slaves who sewed paths to freedom, to civil rights marchers, to a writer in modern-day New York, to a young girl who is eager to hear each generation's stories of bravery and courage -- the women reconnect with the past and look with hope toward the future. Get a first look at the production in the photos below!

During the weeks before Martin Luther King Day, my childrens' schools always bring attention to the life of Dr. King and the civil rights struggles that have existed and still exist around the world. I'm always appreciative of the effort, but every year I find myself wondering how much of the lessons hold any real meaning. As an adult living in New York in 2013, I find it difficult to truly appreciate Dr. King's teachings. What do I know about being denied my civil rights? I get outraged when the MTA raises the cost of a subway ride or when my child is locked out of a popular after school activity. How much understanding could my nine year old possibly have of the complex phsycological and sociological history of the African American experience?

Vital Theatre presents another world premiere musical, SHOW WAY. The production tells the story of seven generations of women who pass quilts, or 'show ways,' from daughter to daughter. As these quilts pass -- from slaves who sewed paths to freedom, to civil rights marchers, to a writer in modern-day New York, to a young girl who is eager to hear each generation's stories of bravery and courage -- the women reconnect with the past and look with hope toward the future. Get a first look at the production in the photos below!

Vital Theatre Company, winner of the 2012 Off-Broadway Alliance Award for Best Family Show, has announced its 2012-2013 Family Programming season in its home theatre at 76th Street and Broadway. Featuring four musicals for children and families, this year's Vital season includes two world premieres and two returning favorites. In Fancy Nancy The Musical and Show Way, two popular children's books are newly adapted for the stage. Vital favorites Angelina Ballerina™ The Very Merry Holiday Musical and A (Tooth) Fairy Tale return to round out the season. This lineup continues Vital's mission to produce entertaining and educational live theatre for families and young audiences.

New Perspectives Theatre Company (NPTC) has announced JUSTIFIED, the 4th Annual Women's Work Festival running from Sunday, September 26th to Sunday, October 2nd at NPTC Studio, 456 West 37th Street.

New Perspectives Theatre Company (NPTC) has announced JUSTIFIED, the 4th Annual Women's Work Festival running from Sunday, September 26th to Sunday, October 2nd at NPTC Studio, 456 West 37th Street.

New Perspectives Theatre Company (NPTC) has announced JUSTIFIED, the 4th Annual Women's Work Festival running from Sunday, September 26th to Sunday, October 2nd at NPTC Studio, 456 West 37th Street.

Harlem9 presents 48 HOUR IN HARLEM - a twist on the traditional 24- hour play festival. The inaugural event of 9 producers, bringing together 6 playwrights, 6 directors, and 18 actors to re-conceive classic plays from the African-American Diaspora. Harlem9 aims to explore the past, present, and future of black culture and our rich history of storytelling, thus serving to contribute to the re-invigoration of the Harlem community. 48 HOURS IN HARLEM's final presentation is Sunday, August 14, 2011. This one night only performance is at 7pm at Harlem School of the Arts. Full show details and performance schedules are below. Tickets, now on sale are $15 pre-sale for the performance and available by calling 1-800-838-3006 or by visiting www.brownpapertickets.com

Harlem9 presents 48 HOUR IN HARLEM - a twist on the traditional 24- hour play festival. The inaugural event of 9 producers, bringing together 6 playwrights, 6 directors, and 18 actors to re-conceive classic plays from the African-American Diaspora. Harlem9 aims to explore the past, present, and future of black culture and our rich history of storytelling, thus serving to contribute to the re-invigoration of the Harlem community. 48 HOURS IN HARLEM's final presentation is Sunday, August 14, 2011. This one night only performance is at 7pm at Harlem School of the Arts. Full show details and performance schedules are below. Tickets, now on sale are $15 pre-sale for the performance and available by calling 1-800-838-3006 or by visiting www.brownpapertickets.com

The New York Coalition of Professional Women in the Arts & Media, Inc. (NYCWAM) is proud to announce the winners of its internationally recognized Collaboration Award. The award honors successful collaborations among women from different specializations in the arts and media. The winners are playwright, Stefanie Zadravec (Dramatists Guild), and director, Daniella Topol (Stage Directors and Choreographers), for their collaboration on The Electric Baby.

On March 7, 2011 at 8p.m. The League of Professional Theatre Women (LPTW) is pleased to present their annual New Play Festival of works written and directed by women, produced by DeVida Jenkins and Rachel Reiner. Featuring star-studded casts, a diverse group of both celebrated and emerging playwrights, a team of professional directors, and an accomplished design team, this year's New Play Festival will perform for one-night-only at New World Stages (340 West 50th St., NYC). The festival is presented in honor of Support Women Artists Now Day/SWAN Day (www.SwanDay.org), an annual celebration of the diversity, beauty and power of women's creativity. Proceeds from the festival will benefit the League of Professional Theatre Women, in its mission of promoting visibility and increasing opportunities for women in the professional theatre.

The New York Coalition of Professional Women in the Arts & Media, Inc. (NYCWAM) is proud to announce the winners of its internationally recognized Collaboration Award. The award honors successful collaborations among women from different specializations in the arts and media. The winners are playwright, Stefanie Zadravec (Dramatists Guild), and director, Daniella Topol (Stage Directors and Choreographers), for their collaboration on The Electric Baby.

On March 7, 2011 at 8p.m. The League of Professional Theatre Women (LPTW) is pleased to present their annual New Play Festival of works written and directed by women, produced by DeVida Jenkins and Rachel Reiner. Featuring star-studded casts, a diverse group of both celebrated and emerging playwrights, a team of professional directors, and an accomplished design team, this year's New Play Festival will perform for one-night-only at New World Stages (340 West 50th St., NYC). The festival is presented in honor of Support Women Artists Now Day/SWAN Day (www.SwanDay.org), an annual celebration of the diversity, beauty and power of women's creativity. Proceeds from the festival will benefit the League of Professional Theatre Women, in its mission of promoting visibility and increasing opportunities for women in the professional theatre.

The Theatre Company at CAP21 presents: Slashes of Light, A New Play By Judy Tate.

The Theatre Company at CAP21 presents: Slashes of Light, A New Play By Judy Tate.

Crystal Field and Theater for the New City (TNC) will present a varied schedule Scratch Night performance program, which offers the opportunity for artists to present work in progress to an audience for one night. Scratch Night started in the United Kingdom in 2000 as a way to show work in progress in an evolution of performances. At TNC, they put their own spin on the idea to best serve the theatre community and New York area audiences.

On November 9, The League of Professional Theatre Women will be present a New Play Festival on at the Cherry Lane Theatre in downtown Manhattan. The festival entitled 'Turning Points: Women Have Their Say' is designed to provide a forum for women in the arts to showcase their work.

On November 9, The League of Professional Theatre Women will be present a New Play Festival on at the Cherry Lane Theatre in downtown Manhattan. The festival entitled 'Turning Points: Women Have Their Say' is designed to provide a forum for women in the arts to showcase their work.

Crystal Field and Theater for the New City (TNC) will present a varied schedule Scratch Night performance program, which offers the opportunity for artists to present work in progress to an audience for one night. Scratch Night started in the United Kingdom in 2000 as a way to show work in progress in an evolution of performances. At TNC, they put their own spin on the idea to best serve the theatre community and New York area audiences.