The Actors Theatre News

The full casting has been announced for Royal Court Theatre and Headlong co-production of The Nether by Jennifer Haley.

Veteran professional actor and acclaimed acting coach Vernee Watson makes her directorial debut at the 2014 Hollywood Fringe Festival with INDEPENDENCE, a wise, funny, and affecting family drama from Tony- and Pulitzer-nominated playwright Lee Blessing. The production features the talents of actors Lauren Benge, Kat Muldoon, Shelley Phillips, and Jenny Simpson and opens tonight, June 6 at The Lounge Theatre.

The entire month of August 2014 will be dedicated to the creation of original works at Trustus Theatre. The month will kick off with the world premiere of the 2013 winner of the Trustus Playwrights' Festival: Deborah Brevoort's The Velvet Weapon. The show will open August 8th at 8:00pm, and run through August 16, 2014. Trustus will host a reading of the winning script from the 2014 Trustus Playwrights' Festival on August 16th at 2:00pm.

Veteran professional actor and acclaimed acting coach Vernee Watson makes her directorial debut at the 2014 Hollywood Fringe Festival with INDEPENDENCE, a wise, funny, and affecting family drama from Tony- and Pulitzer-nominated playwright Lee Blessing. The production features the talents of actors Lauren Benge, Kat Muldoon, Shelley Phillips, and Jenny Simpson and opens June 6 at The Lounge Theatre.

Closing Aurora Theatre Company's 22nd season is David Mamet's powerful, fast-paced drama AMERICAN BUFFALO. Tony-nominated director Barbara Damashek, who helmed Aurora Theatre Company's acclaimed productions of Fat Pig and Private Jokes, Public Places, returns to direct AMERICAN BUFFALO, featuring James Carpenter (John Gabriel Borkman, The Master Builder, The Birthday Party, The Homecoming), Paul Vincent O'Connor (Death Defying Acts, National Tour August: Osage County), and Rafael Jordan. AMERICAN BUFFALO plays June 13 through July 13 at the Aurora Theatre in Berkeley. For tickets ($32-60) and information the public can call (510) 843-4822 or visit auroratheatre.org. For mature audiences.

Red Theater Chicago announces the addition of five company members: Victoria Alvarez-Chacon, J.W. Basilo, Erin Haddock and Jeff Kurys.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts today announced the national awardees of the 46th annual Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF), April 14-19, 2014. Dozens of students received scholarships, fellowships, and cash awards in recognition of their outstanding work. From January 7 through March 1, 2014, these student artists from eight regions presented their work and were selected to travel to Washington, D.C. for an expenses-paid trip to participate in National Festival events taking place at the Kennedy Center.

Working Theater, in its 29th season off-Broadway, will continue its current exploration of the face of poverty in America, with James McManus' Princess Grace Award-winning play, CHERRY SMOKE. The play is a brutal love story that details the irrational hope of four destitute young people, all stretching to grasp the American dream. Directed by Tamilla Woodard, the production will run tonight, April 22nd through May 18th at Urban Stages, 259 West 30th Street in Manhattan. The official opening is on Thursday, May 1st.

He's talking about 'CHILD'S PLAY,' his new drama that will be presented as a Staged Reading for one night only, at 7:30 PM on Monday, April 28th, 2014, in Lynn University's Wold Performing Arts Center, as part of 'Jan McArt's New Play Reading Series.'

Actors Theatre of Louisville just recently completed its 38th showcasing of career playwrights on the rise in the Humana Festival of New American Plays. Now, the venerable regional theater is doing the same for a group of local teenagers, some of whom have written their first play ever.

Teatro Vista begins their 2014 spring season with Arthur Miller's A View From the Bridge, playing at The Richard Christiansen Theater located within The Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave., tonight, April 15 - May 18.

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, presents Lost in Yonkers by Neil Simon, directed by Devon de Mayo. The production will run at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd in Skokie, from May 2 - June 8, 2014. The Press Opening is Friday, May 9, at 7:30 pm.

The star of the Civilians' new musical about climate change shares her thoughts on the company's unique brand of investigative theater.

Michael Wyatt Cox, who is currently touring the United States as Albert in War Horse, sits down with BroadwayWorld in Omaha columnist Analisa Peyton to talk about his career and life with War Horse.

The Boston College Theatre Department has announced that stage director, educator, essayist, and theatre visionary Anne Bogart will give the inaugural lecture in the Matthew R. DeVoy and John H. DeVoy IV Perspectives on Theatre Series on Wednesday, April 30, 2014. Bogart's presentation -- titled 'What's the Story: the role of storytelling in the theater of the 21st century and beyond' -- will take place at 7:00 pm in Gasson 100 at the center of Boston College's main campus.

This year's final full-length offering, "Steel Hammer" from the world-renowned SITI Company and legendary director Anne Bogart, compares a man to his myth and explores all the dimensions one person's story can develop.

Working Theater, in its 29th season off-Broadway, will continue its current exploration of the face of poverty in America, with James McManus' Princess Grace Award-winning play, CHERRY SMOKE. The play is a brutal love story that details the irrational hope of four destitute young people, all stretching to grasp the American dream. Directed by Tamilla Woodard, the production will run April 22nd through May 18th at Urban Stages, 259 West 30th Street in Manhattan. The official opening is on Thursday, May 1st.

The Billie Holiday Theatre continues its 42nd Season Generations United with the World Premiere of Maid's Door by Writers Guild Award winner and Emmy Award nominee Cheryl L. Davis; the show will be directed by the Theatre's Artistic Director Jackie Alexander. Opening Night will be Thursday, March 6; and the show will run through Sunday, March 30. Performances are Thursday-Saturday at 8pm with matinees on Saturday at 3pm and Sunday at 4pm. All tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at www.thebillieholiday.org or by calling the box office at 718-636-0918 or 0919. A discounted rate of $15 is available for Children 15 and younger, Seniors, and Students with a valid ID.

Kindling Theatre Company presents the World Premiere of TAKE ME BACK, written by Emily Schwend and directed by Jay Stull. TAKE ME BACK begins performances on Friday, February 28 for a limited engagement through Saturday, March 22. Opening Night is Wednesday, March 5 at 8 PM. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Kindling Theatre Company has announced the World Premiere of TAKE ME BACK, written by Emily Schwend and directed by Jay Stull. TAKE ME BACK begins performances tonight, February 28 for a limited engagement through Saturday, March 22. Opening Night is Wednesday, March 5 at 8 PM. The performance schedule is Wednesday - Saturday at 8 PM, with added performances on Monday, March 3 and Tuesday, March 4 at 8 PM. Performances are at Walkerspace (46 Walker Street, between Broadway and Church Streets).