Rashada Dawan News

Celebrate the 2023 3Arts Awards honoring talented artists in dance, theater, visual arts, music, and arts education. Donnetta “LilBit” Jackson, Rika Lin, Rashada Dawan, Avreeayl Ra, Nancy García Loza, and Charlotte “Chuck” Gruman are among the awardees. Grammy Award-winning opera singer Will Liverman will perform at the event.

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (RTE), Chicago’s only Equity theatre dedicated to producing new work with women at the core, welcomes eight new ensemble members.

Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announced the six finalists who will compete for the title of Chicago's Karaoke Champion in the City's first-ever citywide singing competition.

In 1905, a black seamstress named Esther sews her way out of poverty stitch by delicate stitch, creating fine lingerie for her Manhattan clientele while longing for a husband and a future. She finds common ground with a Jewish fabric merchant, a relationship they both know cannot grow.

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, continues its 2019-2020 season with Intimate Apparel, written by Lynn Nottage and directed by Tasia A. Jones. Intimate Apparel runs March 12 a?" April 19, 2020 at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd in Skokie. The press opening is Friday, March 20, 2020 at 8pm.

Northlight Theatre continues its 2019-2020 season with Intimate Apparel, written by Lynn Nottage and directed by Tasia A. Jones. Intimate Apparel runs March 12 a?" April 19, 2020 at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd in Skokie. The press opening is Friday, March 20, 2020 at 8pm.     

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director, Timothy J. Evans, presents Art Transforms: A Musical Celebration of the Power of Community, featuring performances by Lucy Godinez, Rashada Dawan, and Molly Hernandez. The event will be held Tuesday, February 4, 2020, from 6:00pm-8:00pm at SPACE, 1245 Chicago Ave in Evanston.

It's time to escape the zoo and head to the stage! The musical twist on the blockbuster DreamWorks motion picture, MADAGASCAR a?" A MUSICAL ADVENTURE, comes to life for children of all ages at Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire, from October 4 to December 29, 2019, with a press opening on Saturday, October 12 at 10 a.m.

Eleven world premiere plays and musicals seen first by Chicago audiences were among those receiving nominations by the Jeff Awards, announced today. A total of 192 nominations were made in 34 categories that honor Chicago Equity theatrical productions that opened between August 1, 2018 and July 31, 2019. During the 2018-19 season, Jeff Awards judges attended opening nights of 132 Equity productions offered by 43 producing organizations and from these openings, 112 productions were a?oeJeff Recommendeda?? and eligible for award nominations.

Live a day in the life of this ever lovable and outspoken first grader with the premiere of Junie B. Jones, The Musical, at Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire. Running from July 12 to August 11, 2019, with press opening on Saturday, July 20 at 10 a.m., this special one-hour presentation explores the wonderful works of Barbara Park's beloved best-selling books. Created by the team who brought Dear Edwina to the stage-Marcy Heisler and Zina Goldrich-and developed into a genuinely comical (and not strictly-for-kids) musical by TheatreworksUSA, Junie B. Jones, The Musical is directed and choreographed by Johanna McKenzie Miller, with musical direction by Ellen Morris.

Northlight Theatre announces casting for its 45th season, opening with Mother of the Maid by Jane Anderson, directed by BJ Jones and featuring Kate Fry (Isabelle Arc), Kareem Bandealy (Jacques Arc), Hayley Burgess (Moniqueus Joan), Ricardo Gutierrez (Father GilbertChamberlainGuardScribe), Casey Morris (Pierre Arc), Grace Smith (Joan Arc) and Penelope Walker (Lady of the Court).

Live a day in the life of this ever lovable and outspoken first grader with the premiere of Junie B. Jones, The Musical, at Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire. Running from July 12 to August 11, 2019, with press opening on Saturday, July 20 at 10 a.m., this special one-hour presentation explores the wonderful works of Barbara Park's beloved best-selling books. Created by the team who brought Dear Edwina to the stage-Marcy Heisler and Zina Goldrich-and developed into a genuinely comical (and not strictly-for-kids) musical by TheatreworksUSA, Junie B. Jones, The Musical is directed and choreographed by Johanna McKenzie Miller, with musical direction by Ellen Morris.

Jeff Award-winning director and HIV+ activist Christopher Pazdernik presents the 5th installment of Chris' Birthday Belt Fest, an annual benefit concert for Howard Brown Health, Monday, May 13 at 8 p.m. at Greenhouse Theatre Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave.Tickets are $30, in advance; $40, at the door on the night of the performance, and are available at GreenHouseTheater.org or by calling 773.404.7336. The performance is suitable for all ages and runs two hours with one intermission.

Following a smash-hit international tour, the new, interactive theatrical event, DJEMBE! The Show, makes its U.S. debut at the Apollo Theater (2540 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago), for a strictly limited engagement starting performances on March 19, 2019 (with an official premiere on Thursday, April 11, at 7:30 p.m.). DJEMBE! (JEM-bay) will engage audiences in a high-energy program of powerful storytelling and inspiring music, including iconic pop hits. Leading this lively musical journey will be the trio of Broadway talent Ben Hope (Once) as Emcee; critically-acclaimed Chicago musical theater artist Rashada Dawan (Caroline, or Change) on lead vocals; and Guinean master drummer and folklorist Fode Lavia Camara, backed by an ensemble of world-class musicians.

Firebrand Theatre, in partnership with TimeLine Theatre Company, is pleased to announce its hit revival of CAROLINE, OR CHANGE will add two additional weeks of performances, extending through Sunday, November 11, 2018 at The Den Theatre's Heath Main Stage, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago. PHOTO CREDIT: CarolineorChange-1 (front) Rashada Dawan with back Emma Sipora Tyler and Tyler Symone in Firebrand Theatre and TimeLine Theatre Company's production of CAROLINE, OR CHANGE, directed by Lili-Anne Brown. Photo by Marisa KM.

Celebrate the fierce femmes of the '90s with Firebrand Theatre! Firebrand presents YOU OUGHTA KNOW: A TRIBUTE TO FIREBRANDS OF THE '90s on Tuesday, October 9, 2018 at 8 pm at Elastic Arts, 3429 W. Diversey Ave. #208, in Chicago.

Firebrand Theatre's second season opens with a poignantly fitting musical choice: composer Jeanine Tesori and librettist Tony Kushner's CAROLINE, OR CHANGE. In the musical from this renowned writing team, protagonist Caroline Thibodeaux, a black woman working as a maid for a white Jewish family in 1963 Lake Charles, Louisiana goes on a powerful journey of self-discovery. Firebrand, in partnership with TimeLine Theatre Company, has made a production choice that fits the company's feminist mission like a glove.

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 Den Theatre's Heath Main Stage

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.

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.