Ntozake Shange News

The historic Theatre Training Workshops of Woodie King, Jr.'s New Federal Theatre will move uptown next month to Dwyer Cultural Center at 258 St. Nicholas Ave. (at 123rd Street).  They were previously held in spaces adjoining the theater's offices at 292 Henry Street.  The workshops have been a fertile training ground for leading African-American playwrights and actors.

In an era of unprecedented political activity, The Billie Holiday Theatre (BHT) at The Center for Arts & Culture of Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation opens its 2016-2017 season with the New York premiere of award-winning playwright Richard Wesley's political drama, Autumn.

Woodie King Jr.'s New Federal Theatre (NFT) held a festive Gala Benefit on Sunday, June 26 from 2:00 to 5:30 PM at Trump Place, 220 Riverside Boulevard (enter West 70th Street) honoring Novella Nelson and Melvin Van Peebles, two of many actors and directors who have worked at NFT over the theatre's 46 year history. Mr. Van Peebles was introduced by Academy Award winner Estelle Parsons. Ms. Nelson was introduced by former Mayor David Dinkins. Scroll down for photos from the event!

Classic Stage Company has announced that Mirirai Sithole is this year's recipient of the Rosemarie Tichler Fund grant. The Fund was established in 2010 with the mission to assist young actors who have appeared at CSC and who have recently made the transition from their training into the profession. The $3,000 grant can be used by the young artist to continue training or to offset loans they may have incurred while studying their craft. With the grant, CSC hopes to make a difference in the lives of young actors at the start of their careers as well as to heighten awareness in the community to the specific needs of actors. 

NSU Theatre Company, in collaboration with The Limbic System, Inc., a project of Patrick Mullins, is pleased to announce their co-production, Choir Boy by Tarell Alvin McCraney, a "stirring and stylishly told drama, Tarell Alvin McCraney cannily explores race and sexuality and the graces and gravity of history.' -NY Daily News.

The 7th Annual Lilly Awards Ceremony, which celebrates women of distinction in the American Theater, were presented yesterday, May 23, at the Signature Theatre (480 West 42nd St). This year's honorees included: Tony Award-winner and 2016 Tony Award nominee Jessie Mueller,Kathy Najimy, Genne Murphy, Candis Jones,Rehana Lew Mirza, the women of Waking the Feminists, Danai Gurira, Martha Plimpton, Kate Whoriskey, and Mia Katigbak.

The 7th Annual Lilly Awards Ceremony, which celebrates women of distinction in the American Theater, have added honorees to the special awards ceremony, including Tony Award-winner and 2016 Tony Award nominee Jessie Mueller, Kathy Najimy, Genne Murphy, Candis Jones, Rehana Lew Mirza, and the women of Waking the Feminists. They join previously announced honorees include Danai Gurira, Martha Plimpton, Kate Whoriskey, and Mia Katigbak. The Lilly Awards will be presented Monday, May 23, at the Signature Theatre (480 West 42nd St).

The 7th Annual Lilly Awards Ceremony, which celebrates women of distinction in the American Theater, will this year honor playwright Danai Gurira, actor Martha Plimpton, director Kate Whoriskey, actor Mia Katigbak, and more to be announced. The Lilly Awards will be presented Monday, May 23, at the Signature Theatre (480 West 42nd St).

Woodie King Jr.'s New Federal Theatre (NFT) will hold a Gala Benefit on Sunday, June 26 from 2:00 to 5:30 PM at Trump Place, 220 Riverside Boulevard (enter West 70th Street) honoring Novella Nelson and Melvin Van Peebles, two of many actors and directors who have worked at NFT over the theatre's 46 year history.

Woodie King Jr.'s New Federal Theatre (NFT) will hold a Gala Benefit on Sunday, June 26 from 2:00 to 5:30 PM at Trump Place, 220 Riverside Boulevard (enter West 70th Street) honoring Novella Nelson and Melvin Van Peebles, two of many actors and directors who have worked at NFT over the theatre's 46 year history.  Mr. Van Peebles will be introduced by Academy Award winner Estelle Parsons.  Ms. Nelson will be introduced by former Mayor David Dinkins.

The 2016 Tony nominations were announced this morning. Below, check out some fun facts about this year's nominees!

The Public Theater announced an additional one-week extension today for the New York premiere of Head of Passes, part of Oskar Eustis' 10th anniversary season.

The Public Theater has announced a one-week extension for the New York premiere of Head of Passes, part of Oskar Eustis' 10th anniversary season. Written byTarell Alvin McCraney and directed by Tina Landau, Head of Passes officially opened last night, Monday, March 28 and was originally scheduled to close on Sunday, April 17. It will now run an additional week through Sunday, April 24. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the big night below!

The Public Theater presents the New York premiere of HEAD OF PASSES, written by TarellAlvin McCraney and directed by Tina Landau. Part of Oskar Eustis' 10th anniversary season, HEAD OF PASSES officially opens tonight, March 28, in the Newman Theater and runs through Sunday, April 17, 2016.

The Public Theater presents the New York premiere of HEAD OF PASSES, written by TarellAlvin McCraney and directed by Tina Landau. Part of Oskar Eustis' 10th anniversary season, HEAD OF PASSES begins previews tonight, March 17, in the Newman Theater and runs through Sunday, April 17, with an official press opening on Monday, March 28.

On March 13th, The Flea Theater and Project1VOICE are teaming up for a one-night-only event to honor the 40th anniversary of Ntozake Shange's for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf.

The Heritage Ensemble Theatre Company often likes to intertwine the familiar with the unfamiliar, so they are presenting two provocative works in rotating repertory at Firehouse. Audiences can experience the female point of view in Ntozake Shange's ground-breaking choreopoem FOR COLORED GIRLS WHO HAVE CONSIDERED SUICIDE WHEN THE RAINBOW IS ENUF, and then explore the male response in Keith Antar Mason's FOR BLACK BOYS WHO HAVE CONSIDERED HOMICIDE WHEN THE STREETS WERE TOO MUCH.

Some years ago when Tony Award-winning actress (for For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf (Ntozake Shange) and playwright Trezanna Beverley's voice coach suggested she listen to Mabel Mercer, the artist had not heard of the nightclub and cabaret singing icon. A trip to the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture (Harlem) began a protracted period of research into Mercer's life and work. Beverley found she not only respected and admired her subject, but felt a kinship both in spirit and color. Inspired, she decided to write her own theatrical script about Mercer's life and art with the goal of playing her in a one-woman show. Her dream has been realized with Mabel Madness, a play with music that opened this week at Urban Stages and runs until March 20.

The Heritage Ensemble Theatre Company often likes to intertwine the familiar with the unfamiliar, so they are presenting two provocative works in rotating repertory at Firehouse. Audiences can experience the female point of view in Ntozake Shange's ground-breaking choreopoem FOR COLORED GIRLS WHO HAVE CONSIDERED SUICIDE WHEN THE RAINBOW IS ENUF, and then explore the male response in Keith Antar Mason's FOR BLACK BOYS WHO HAVE CONSIDERED HOMICIDE WHEN THE STREETS WERE TOO MUCH.

The Public Theater announced complete casting today for the New York premiere of HEAD OF PASSES, written by Tarell Alvin McCraney and directed by Tina Landau. Part of Oskar Eustis' 10th anniversary season, HEAD OF PASSES begins previews on Tuesday, March 15 in the Newman Theater and runs through Sunday, April 17, with an official press opening on Monday, March 28.