Michael Higgins News

Acclaimed artists, performers, authors, educators and top industry leaders share knowledge and career advice through demonstrations, workshops, panel discussions, master classes and more.

SF Sketchfest announced a new series of Live from the Archive videos that will be released each Tuesday beginning on May 5, 2020. The series will feature many never-before-seen performances, tribute conversations and panel discussions from the past 19 years and will include appearances by many comedy and entertainment luminaries.

Studio Theatre is embarking on the $20 million Open Studio capital campaign, which includes a $14.5 million renovation of its multi-theatre complex in Washington, DC. The aim of Open Studio is to enhance artistic innovation at the Theatre, forge more robust community connections, and increase operational efficiency. The focal point of the renovations will be a completely transformed Metheny Theatre capable of flexible, fully immersive staging environments and outfitted with state-of-the-art production technology. Plans also include more public gathering space throughout the building, including a first floor café with outdoor seating, and Studio's first dedicated rehearsal space. Renovations will occur in phases beginning in July 2020 and will be completed in spring 2021. Studio will continue to operate out of its complex at 1501 14th Street NW during the renovation process.

Variety reports that the upcoming 'Saved by the Bell' reboot has rounded out its leading cast.

Now in its third season, California School of the Arts a?" San Gabriel Valley (CSArts-SGV) continues to provide meaningful and often life-changing experiences for its 1,200 aspiring young artists through programs such as the 2019-2020 Master Artist Series. In addition to the school's 10 arts conservatories, this unique program provide students the opportunity to learn from real-world experts in a variety of industries. Acclaimed artists, esteemed educators and top industry leaders visit CSArts-SGV to impart their knowledge and provide students with exclusive advice through demonstrations, residencies, panel discussions, master classes and more.

Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) delivers on its mission to provide an unparalleled arts and academic education to a diverse student body passionate about the arts through its 2019-2020 Master Artist Series and Creators & Innovators Series. In addition to the school's 16 arts conservatories, these unique programs provide students the opportunity to learn from real-world experts in a variety of industries. Acclaimed artists, educators and industry leaders visit OCSA's campus in Santa Ana to share their expertise and provide students with exclusive advice through demonstrations, residencies, panel discussions, master classes and more. This season's Master Artist Series kicked off with a culinary arts master class with internationally celebrated chef, Jet Tila, who is a best-selling author and host on a?oeIron Chef America.a??

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) today announced the presenters for both the 46th Annual Daytime Creative Arts Emmy® Awards and the 46th Annual Daytime Emmy® Awards. The galas will both be held at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, Southern California.

Ballet Hispanico, the nation's premier Latino dance organization, presents Dialogos: Women of Color in the Arts on Thursday, January 10, 2019 at 6:30pm at the Arnhold Center, 167 West 89th Street, Studio 10.

SF Sketchfest presented by Audible announces the initial line up for the 18th annual San Francisco Comedy Festival January 10-27, 2019, featuring top comedic talent performing in venues across the city. Audiences can expect another outstanding year of programming and fun as SF Sketchfest will host major comedy stars and the best up-and-coming acts from around the world for non-stop entertainment including sketch, stand-up, alternative comedy, music, improv, films, tributes, live podcasts, storytelling, family shows, workshops, panels and more.

SF Sketchfest presented by Audible announces the initial line up for the 18th annual San Francisco Comedy Festival January 10-27, 2019, featuring top comedic talent performing in venues across the city. Audiences can expect another outstanding year of programming and fun as SF Sketchfest will host major comedy stars and the best up-and-coming acts from around the world for non-stop entertainment including sketch, stand-up, alternative comedy, music, improv, films, tributes, live podcasts, storytelling, family shows, workshops, panels and more.

Otherworld Theatre announced the lineup of its annual PARAGON Play Fest, the world's largest Science Fiction and Fantasy genre play festival. PARAGON Play Fest, now in its 4th year, is the largest Science Fiction and Fantasy play festival in the world; featuring 40 Science-Fiction and Fantasy plays performed over 2 days. Collaborating with hundreds of Theatre Artists, locally and internationally to increase exposure for an underserved theatre genre, PARAGON Play Fest has become an annual festival and a unique part of Chicago's diverse cultural landscape. Curated by Otherworld Theatre Company's Literary Manager Elliott Sowards and Otherworld's Artistic Director, Tiffany Keane Schaefer for the fourth year running. The 40 plays chosen are a small sample of the hundreds that were submitted from around the world. Weekend and Day Pass Tickets are on sale now at www.otherworldtheatre.org

A CELEBRATION OF LIFE The Los Angeles Memorial/Tribute for Alan Johnson at The Performing Arts Center October 14, 2018 Alan Johnson was truly a man of many talents. On Sunday, October 14th, 2018, friends, all of whom are either dancers, choreographers, directors or actors, or all combined, that have had the honor to work with or befriend him, gathered at The Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles, CA, owned by Joe Malone and Nanci Hammond Malone, two superb dancers/teachers that donated their facility for this event, to honor, reminisce and celebrate Alan's wondrous life and career.

BYUtv, a network that connects families through positive, uplifting entertainment, today announced the judges for its all-new family cooking competition show, 'Dinner Takes All.' Host and celebrity chef Kelsey Nixon (Food Network, Cooking Channel), will be joined by 'The Queen of Country Southern Cuisine,' Kardea Brown and 'The Yum Yum Foodie,' Eddie Zamora, as they judge the teams' recipes. The 12 episode series from Keller/Noll ('Chopped,' 'Chopped Junior') and BYUtv is set to premiere on March 7, 2019 at 7 p.m. MT/9 p.m. ET.

This year, PARAGON will produce Otherworld Theatre mainstage playwrights D. Matthew Beyer (last season's Down the Rocky Road and All the Way to Bedlam) and Elizabeth A.M. Keel (playwright of the upcoming Mainstage production, Corona). Beyer's time travel farce, Everything is Fine and Keel's play which centers on two messengers at the beginning of the world, Missives will be presented at PARAGON Fest.

Adult Swim brings back everyone's favorite superhero/attorney with a brand new half-hour special Harvey Birdman, Attorney General premiering Sunday, October 14th at Midnight ET/PT.

Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) students are given the opportunity to study alongside esteemed industry leaders, guest artists and teachers as part of the school's third annual Master Artist Series. The innovative series began in celebration of OCSA's 30th anniversary two years ago and continues to bring high-caliber arts professionals to campus, where they collaborate with faculty to create exceptional learning experiences for students. This season's Master Artist Series kicks off with Broadway actor and recording artist David Burnham ("Wicked," "The Light in the Piazza") performing alongside some of OCSA's own musical theatre students during the school's Season Premiere. The series continues with visiting professionals from the worlds of acting, culinary arts, instrumental and vocal music, musical theater, writing and more.

BYUtv, a family entertainment network, today announced three original unscripted shows in production to air in early 2019 - the family cooking competition show 'Dinner Takes All,' the half-hour musical improv comedy show 'Show Offs' and the multi-generational family game show 'Battle of the Ages.'

 Game Show Network, the leader in game shows and competitive entertainment, announced today its original hit series AMERICA SAYS, hosted by John Michael Higgins, will return for a 95-episode second season. The announcement comes on the heels of a successful premiere season, which has seen the show build over its lead-in by +26%, while also performing over +40% above YTD time period average among our core W25-54 demo.

August 2018 Programming Highlights for Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior