Norman Lear News

City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs announces the grant recipients of the 2023/24 City of Los Angeles Independent Master Artist Project.

The independent film DARUMA, directed by Alexander Yellen, makes its East Coast debut at the Dances with Film Festival in New York. Starring Barry Bostwick and Abigail Hawk, the authentically cast drama follows a paraplegic's journey to reunite with his daughter. Don't miss the New York premiere on December 1st at Regal Cinemas in Union Square.

Alex Edelman recently stopped by Jimmy Kimmel Live! where he talked about his love of Mariah Carey, hosting Norman Lear’s 100th celebration, 'Just For Us', and much more!

The nonprofit Sundance Institute announced today the 2023 lab fellows selected for the 10th Episodic Lab program, taking place at the Sundance Resort in Sundance, Utah.

International Human Rights Art Festival returns for its 5th year, featuring a week of thought-provoking performances centered around pressing social issues.

Live television event producer Raj Kapoor has been named as executive producer and showrunner, Katy Mullan as executive producer, and Hamish Hamilton as director of the 96th Oscars. It will be Kapoor and Mullan’s first time to executive produce and Hamilton’s fourth time directing the Oscars. Kapoor has worked on the show for the past seven years.

A new production of award-winning playwright David Ireland's Ulster American is headed to Riverside Studios this year, starring Woody Harrelson, Andy Serkis, and Louisa Harland. Learn more about the production and find out how to get tickets here!

The International Human Rights Art Festival (IHRAF) is back and calling all NYC-based performers to submit work. The festival runs December 4th - 10th, 2023 @ The Tank Theater, 312 W. 36th Street.

Jerry Mayer, a nonagenarian from St. Louis has written and/or produced for many classic TV shows and specials. In 1986, his first play, Almost Perfect, debuted at Santa Monica Playhouse which has led to almost a dozen more - so far! I decided to speak with him about his latest comedy, Jews R 2 Much Fun, at the Santa Monica Playhouse as well as his long-running and extremely successful TV writing career.

Ford's Theatre Society will honor Rita Moreno and Marlene A. Malek at the 2023 gala performance.

Lending their voices to the film are family members, colleagues and those whose lives Mary Tyler Moore impacted including directors Rob Reiner, Michael Lindsay-Hogg, and Jim Burrows, actors Ed Asner, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Lena Waithe, Phylicia Rashad, Bernadette Peters, and Joel Grey. Watch the video trailer now!

THE ROAD THEATRE COMPANY (Taylor Gilbert, Founder/Artistic Director together with Sam Anderson, Artistic Director) in partnership with the Jewish Plays Project (David Winitsky, Artistic Director), have announced a one-night only reading presentation of 2021 National Jewish Playwriting Contest Winner, WHO BY FIRE, written by Talisa Friedman and directed by legendary casting director John Levey.  

On the evening of April 6th, in advance of “NATIONAL PET DAY,” (April 11th), Founder/President of the Hollywood Museum, Donelle Dadigan, hosted a tribute exhibit to Acting Animals. See photos from the event.

The Television Academy Foundation will host 'The Power of TV: Representing Climate Change On Screen,' presented by the Los Angeles Times, on Tuesday, April 18, from 9-10 a.m. PDT.

With announced special guest Julie Benko and surprise special guest Jason Yeager, Jason Kravits sends OFF The TOP! audience home happy.

Ballet Hispánico announces The Legacy Gala, celebrating the life of its founder Tina Ramirez and her visionary leadership, passionate activism, and innovative artistry, and honoring The Miranda Family.

Casting has been announced for the developmental reading of THE PINK by acclaimed Black Filipinx playwright and Kilroys List honoree Roger Q. Mason, presented by Breaking the Binary Theatre in association with Primary Stages as part of the Creative Access Grant Reading Series with Primary Stages.

Lending their voices to the film are family members, colleagues and those whose lives Mary Tyler Moore impacted including directors Rob Reiner, Michael Lindsay-Hogg, and Jim Burrows, actors Ed Asner, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Lena Waithe, Phylicia Rashad, Bernadette Peters, and Joel Grey, writers and producers Allan Burns, Norman Lear, and more.

Kentwood Players presents a reading of Polar Bears, Black Boys & Prairie Fringed Orchids, a play about the social complexities of our times written by Vincent Terrell Durham, on Sunday, March 26 at the Westchester Playhouse, located at 8301 Hindry Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90045. The evening begins with a fabulous, homemade dessert reception at 6:00pm, followed by the reading at 7:00pm, with a talkback afterwards.

The Producers Guild of America (PGA) hosted the 34th Annual Producers Guild Awards on Saturday, February 25th at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. The evening recognized influential film producers and entertainment icons with special honors including Tom Cruise with the David O. Selznick Achievement Award in Theatrical Motion Pictures; Mindy Kaling with the Norman Lear Achievement Award in Television; Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy with the Milestone Award; and “Till” with the Stanley Kramer Award.