Negro Ensemble Company News

THE FIRST BREEZE OF SUMMER, the first production of Signature Theatre Company's 2008-2009 season celebrating the historic Negro Ensemble Company (NEC), will begin previews today, August 5th.

THE FIRST BREEZE OF SUMMER, the first production of Signature Theatre Company's (James Houghton, Founding Artistic Director; Erika Mallin, Executive Director) 2008-2009 season celebrating the historic Negro Ensemble Company (NEC), will begin previews tomorrow, August 5th. THE FIRST BREEZE OF SUMMER, by Leslie Lee and directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson, officially opens on Thursday, August 21st and continues through September 28th at the Peter Norton Space located at 555 West 42nd Street (between 10th and 11th Avenues).

The Memorial Service for Dr. Barbara Ann Teer, the Founder of the National Black Theatre, will be held on Monday, July 28, 2008 at 1pm.

The Memorial Service for Dr. Barbara Ann Teer, the Founder of the National Black Theatre, will be held on Monday, July 28, 2008 at 1pm.

Signature Theatre Company is proud to announce that Ron OJ Parson will direct HOME, by Samm-Art Williams.

Performances begin tomorrow for the final week to see Signature Theatre Company's world premiere production of EDWARD ALBEE'S OCCUPANT starring Tony® and Academy Award®-winning actress Mercedes Ruehl and two-time Emmy® winner and Tony® nominee Larry Bryggman.

Signature Theatre Company is proud to announce full casting for THE FIRST BREEZE OF SUMMER, the first production of Signature's 2008-2009 season celebrating the historic Negro Ensemble Company (NEC).

Signature Theatre Company announced today that their world premiere production of EDWARD ALBEE'S OCCUPANT starring Tony® and Academy Award®-winning actress Mercedes Ruehl and two-time Emmy® winner and Tony® nominee Larry Bryggman has been extended again by popular demand through Sunday, July 13th.

Signature Theatre Company is proud to announce that Tony® and Emmy® Award winner Leslie Uggams will appear in 'The First Breeze of Summer.'

Woodie King Jr.'s New Federal Theatre will present the New York City premiere of 'In Search of My Father ... Walkin' Talkin' Bill Hawkins.'

Tickets go on sale tomorrow, Wednesday, April 9th for Signature Theatre Company's (James Houghton, Founding Artistic Director; Erika Mallin, Executive Director) world premiere production of Tony® and Academy Award®-winning actress Mercedes Ruehl and two-time Emmy® winner and Tony® nominee Larry Bryggman in EDWARD ALBEE'S OCCUPANT directed by Pam MacKinnon. Mr. Albee was Signature's 1993-1994 Playwright-in-Residence. EDWARD ALBEE'S OCCUPANT begins performances on May 6, 2008 and continues through June 29 at The Peter Norton Space located at 555 West 42nd Street (between 10th and 11th Avenues). The production will have its official opening on June 5th.

Signature Theatre Company (James Houghton, Founding Artistic Director; Erika Mallin, Executive Director) is proud to announce its 2008-2009 season celebrating the historic Negro Ensemble Company (NEC).

The Tony Award-winning Negro Ensemble Company -- celebrating its historic 40th anniversary season as a national showcase and home for black actors, writers and directors -- opens its present season with the NEC premiere of award-winning playwright Layon Gray's WEBEIME, with previews to begin March 28 prior to its official opening April 5 at The Harlem School of The Arts (645 St. Nicholas Avenue) in Manhattan.

Giancarlo Esposito will play 'Gooper' in the new production of Tennessee Williams' Pulitzer Prize winning play Cat on a Hot Tin Roof directed by multiple Emmy winner and two-time Tony nominee Debbie Allen.

As part of its continuing effort to find and develop culturally and ethnically diverse talent and actors with disabilities, the Disney ABC Television Group's Casting Project will hold its latest showcase featuring 11 promising actors. The showcase, the sixth one to be held in New York, will take place at the Michael Schimmel Center For the Arts at Pace University, 3 Spruce Street between Park Row and Gold Street, on Monday, October 22.

The Signature Theatre Company 2006-2007 season productions of August Wilson's Two Trains Running and King Hedley II have been nominated for 16 AUDELCO Awards, which recognize excellence in black theatre. The winners will be announced on November 19 at a ceremony held at Aaron Davis Hall.

At a press conference on June 13th, Signature Theatre Company - led by artistic director James Houghton - announced the next four years of programming as well as the unprecedented Signature Ticket Initiative, made possible by the lead sponsorship of Time Warner, Inc.

Signature Theatre Company today announced the next four years of programming as well as the unprecedented Signature Ticket Initiative, made possible by the lead sponsorship of Time Warner, Inc.

Over three dozen small New York-based theatre companies have been selected as recipients of J.P. Morgan Alliance of Resident Theatres/New York grants,

Signature Theatre Company (James Houghton, Founding Artistic Director; Kathryn Lipuma, Executive Director) announces complete casting for SEVEN GUITARS, the first play of its 2006-2007 three-play tribute to the works of August Wilson.