Nambi E. Kelley News

Firebrand Theatre, in partnership with TimeLine Theatre Company, is pleased to launch its 2018-19 season with a revival of the Tony Award-nominated Best Musical CAROLINE, OR CHANGE, playing September 22 - October 28, 2018, at The The Den Theatre's Heath Main Stage, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave.

The New Victory Theater announces the 2018-19 New Victory LabWorks Artists, NYC-based artists pursuing the creation of bold and exciting performing arts for family audiences.

The 2018 Stage Raw Theater Awards celebrate excellence on the Los Angeles stages in venues of 99-seats or under. This fourth annual edition included productions that opened between January 1, 2017 and May 31, 2018. Stage Raw is a community funded professional journalism website that was created in response to the decline of arts coverage in local mainstream and alternative media.The Awards ceremony was held Monday night, August 20, at Los Angeles Theatre Center, 514 S. Spring Street in downtown Los Angeles, hosted by Coeurage Theatre Company, and co-directed by Jer Adrianne Lelliott, Thaddeus Shafer and Lauren Ludwig. Winners notated in red below.

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, has named Mikael Burke as its first-ever Artistic Fellow.

Dr. Barbara Ann Teer's National Black Theatre (NBT)has selected the artists for The L.A.B. [Liberating Artistic Bravery] Residency Program, which is comprised of threesignature programs: I Am Soul Playwright Residency withDarrel Alejandro Holnes& Tracey Conyer Lee; Soul Producing Residency with Emana Rachelle; and NBT will be launching this year the Soul Directing Residency with Ebony Noelle Golden. Through The L.A.B., NBT is able to strengthen the artistic relationship between historic Black theatrical institutions and cutting edge artists and administrators. The goal of The L.A.B. is to help diversify the narratives and possibilities being developed and produced about Black lifestyle in American theatre. 

Victory Gardens Theater Artistic Director Chay Yew and Managing Director Erica Daniels announce the 2018/19 Season Directors Inclusion Initiates, to include Lauren Katz (Indecent), Mikael Burke (Rightlynd), N. Emil Thomas (Pipeline), Denise Yvette Serna (Cambodian Rock Band) and Ruby Des Jardins (Miriam for President).

The 2018 Stage Raw Theater Awards celebrate excellence on the Los Angeles stages in venues of 99-seats or under. This fourth annual edition includes productions that opened between January 1, 2017 and May 31, 2018.

The Peculiar Patriot, Liza Jessie Peterson's powerful one-woman show and scathing indictment of the criminal justice system, opened Friday to fanfare at Dr. Barbara Ann Teer's National Black Theatre (NBT) in Harlem. The show is directed by Talvin Wilks and produced by NBT and Hi-ARTS and runs through July 29. Check out photos from opening night below!

The North Carolina Black Repertory Company (NC Black Rep) is proud to announce a commissioned work on the life of Dr. Maya Angelou by Nambi E. Kelley for its 2019-2020 Season. The play will be directed by NC Black Rep's Artistic Director Jackie Alexander.

The 2018 Stage Raw Theater Awards celebrate excellence on the Los Angeles stages in venues of 99-seats or under. This fourth annual edition includes productions that opened between January 1, 2017 and May 31, 2018.

About Face Theatre is pleased to announce its 2018-19 Season, featuring three groundbreaking productions including the world premiere of an original work.

Firebrand Theatre, in partnership with TimeLine Theatre Company, is pleased to announces casting for its revival of the Tony Award-nominated Best Musical CAROLINE, OR CHANGE, featuring music by Jeanine Tesori (Fun Home, Violet), book and lyrics by Tony Kushner (Angels in America), direction by Lili-Anne Brown and music direction by Andra Velis Simon. 

Sideshow Theatre Company is pleased to announce casting for its world premiere of Kristiana Rae Colon's spectacular and fearless indictment TILIKUM, directed by Lili-Anne Brown.

American Blues Theater announces encore performance run of BUDDY - The Buddy Holly Story, written by Alan Janes, directed by Lili-Anne Brown, with musical direction by Ensemble Member Michael Mahler. BUDDY - The Buddy Holly Story will reopen June 29 - September 15, 2018 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are on sale now.

Sideshow Theatre Company is pleased to conclude its eleventh season with the world premiere of Kristiana Rae Colon's spectacular and fearless indictment TILIKUM, directed by Lili-Anne Brown, playing June 22 - July 29, 2018 at Victory Gardens Richard Christiansen Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago. Casting will be announced shortly. Tickets go on sale Monday, May 7, 2018 at www.victorygardens.org, by calling (773) 871-3000 or in person at the Victory Gardens Box Office. 

American Blues Theater announces encore performance run of BUDDY - The Buddy Holly Story, written by Alan Janes, directed by Lili-Anne Brown, with musical direction by Ensemble Member Michael Mahler. BUDDY - The Buddy Holly Story will close as planned on May 26, 2018 and reopen June 29 - September 15, 2018 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets will be on sale for the encore run on May 15, 2018.

Sideshow Theatre Company is pleased to announce casting for its world premiere of Kristiana Rae Colon's spectacular and fearless indictment TILIKUM, directed by Lili-Anne Brown.

Firebrand Theatre, the first musical theatre company committed to employing and empowering women by expanding opportunities on and off the stage, is pleased to announce its second season, featuring two fully-produced musicals, including a Chicago premiere. 

American Blues Theater concludes its 2017-2018 Season with BUDDY - The Buddy Holly Story, written by Alan Janes, directed by Lili-Anne Brown, with musical direction by Ensemble Member Michael Mahler. BUDDY - The Buddy Holly Story runs April 27 - May 26, 2018 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. The official press opening is today, May 4, 2018 at 7:30 p.m.

Andi Chapman directs the Southern California premiere of Nambi E. Kelley's visceral, groundbreaking stage adaption of Richard Wright's racially charged novel, Native Son, for Antaeus Theatre Company. Wright's iconic novel about oppression, freedom and justice comes to life on stage at the Kiki & David Gindler Performing Arts Center in Glendale beginning April 19, with performances continuing through June 3. Low-priced previews take place April 12-18.