The American Conservatory Theatre News

Set Designer Douglas W. Schmidt is USITT's 2015 Distinguished Achiever in Scene Design and the subject of its new book, The Designs of Douglas W. Schmidt, to be released at USITT 2015 in Cincinnati.

In January, New Conservatory Theatre Center presents the West Coast Premiere of the sharp and timely new comedy, Harbor by Chad Beguelin, directed by NCTC Founder & Artistic Director Ed Decker. Kevin's seemingly perfect world hits troubled waters in this 'wickedly funny' play (Variety) when his ne'er-do-well sister, Donna and her teenage daughter show up unexpectedly at the Sag Harbor home he shares with his husband, Ted. This sharp and timely comedy sails through the riptides of family and the unpredictability of the lives we lead.

Juilliard Dance, under the direction of Lawrence Rhodes, opens its 2014-15 season in December with New Dances: Edition 2014 featuring four world premieres by innovative choreographers: Juilliard alumnus Austin McCormick (1st-Year Dancers); alumna Loni Landon (2nd-Year Dancers); Kate Weare (3rd-Year Dancers); and Larry Keigwin (4th-Year Dancers). Mr. Keigwin is returning to Juilliard where he previously choreographed and premiered, in December 2008, Runaway, a large-scale piece that riffs on the high fashion runway scene, and, in December 2009, Megalopolis.

The Night Thoreau Spent In Jail by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee is a poignant drama that explores Henry David Thoreau's historic act of civil disobedience. The show runs tonight, November 7-23, 2014 in the Young Theatre on CSUF's campus.

The Night Thoreau Spent In Jail by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee is a poignant drama that explores Henry David Thoreau's historic act of civil disobedience. The show runs November 7-23, 2014 in the Young Theatre on CSUF's campus.

Central Works concludes the 2014 season with 'Recipe,' a profoundly funny new work by Michael Gene Sullivan, opening with a press Night on Saturday October 18 at 8 pm and running through November 23 at the historic Berkeley City Club. Sullivan serves up the laughs in this delicious take on a circle of sweet old grandmotherly bakers, who just happen to be dedicated to the armed overthrow of the United States government. But baking pies and cakes isn't enough to satisfy these four intrepid refugees from the sixties, and their burning desire to 'Up the Revolution!' Directed by Gary Graves, 'Recipe'is Central Works 45th world premiere and features Velina Brown* (Diane), Tamar Cohn (Ruth), Phoebe Moyer* (Lillian), Lynne Soffer* (Helen) and Jan Zvaifler (Janice), (*member AEA). It's one thing to say 'The government is probably listening to my calls,' but what do you do when you find out it's true? If it seems that the government that you call 'a fascist, surveillance state' has specifically targeted you, is specifically watching YOU (it's not paranoia if they really are after you!), then what? How do you live your life knowing that all your fears may, actually, be true?

The 'Alley Theatre @ UH' season begins with Betty Buckley, Hallie Foote, Annalee Jefferies and Veanne Cox in award-winning Texas playwright Horton Foote's The Old Friends, a Southwestern premiere.

During the opening gala the star of the film, Denzel Washington, will be presented with the Donostia Lifetime Achievement Award.

Critically acclaimed choreographers Larry Keigwin and Jerry Mitchell will host the 20th Anniversary of Fire Island Dance Festival (#fidance), the most anticipated cultural event of the season on Fire Island. Some of the most-talked-about dancers and dance companies will perform an exciting mix of Broadway, ballet, Hawaiian and modern dance today, July 18-20.

The 'Alley Theatre @ UH' season begins with Betty Buckley, Hallie Foote, Annalee Jefferies and Veanne Cox in award-winning Texas playwright Horton Foote's The Old Friends, a Southwestern premiere.

Falcon Theatre will present Impro Theatre's The Western UnScripted, co-directed by Dan O'Connor and Stephen Kearin, the first production of the Falcon Theatre's 2014-2015 Subscription Season. Impro Theatre's critically acclaimed, award-winning ensemble of improvisers, which the LA Times calls "an amazing comedy troupe that spins comedy gold right before your eyes," create completely new, completely unscripted, and completely hilarious full-length plays at every performance. According to StageandCinema.com, an Impro performance is "as high a degree of general excellence in writing, acting, and direction as I have seen in any theater company in America."

Critically acclaimed choreographers Larry Keigwin and Jerry Mitchell will host the 20th Anniversary of Fire Island Dance Festival (#fidance), the most anticipated cultural event of the season on Fire Island. Some of the most-talked-about dancers and dance companies will perform an exciting mix of Broadway, ballet, Hawaiian and modern dance July 18-20. Since its humble beginnings in 1995 with seven dancers on a makeshift stage, the festival has grown to become the charitable event of the summer in Fire Island Pines, raising more than $3.3 million. The festival is produced by and benefits Dancers Responding to AIDS, a program of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Critically acclaimed choreographers Larry Keigwin and Jerry Mitchell will host the 20th Anniversary of Fire Island Dance Festival (#fidance), the most anticipated cultural event of the season on Fire Island. Some of the most-talked-about dancers and dance companies will perform an exciting mix of Broadway, ballet, Hawaiian and modern dance July 18-20.

The Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival has announced that Michael Paller, author, dramaturg and educator, will be a participating scholar at the Tennessee Williams Institute (TWI) held during this year's Festival, Tennessee Williams' Circle of Friends, September 25 - 28, 2014.

Do blondes really have more fun? Audiences will soon find out at Pittsburgh CLO's production of Legally Blonde The Musical, June 13-22 at the Benedum Center. This mega movie hit will be brought to life by a cast of Broadway's best and Pittsburgh CLO veterans. Watch as Elle Woods takes over the stage with her vivacious personality and a score sure to please.

Do blondes really have more fun? Audiences will soon find out at Pittsburgh CLO's production of Legally Blonde The Musical, June 13-22 at the Benedum Center. This mega movie hit will be brought to life by a cast of Broadway's best and Pittsburgh CLO veterans. Watch as Elle Woods takes over the stage with her vivacious personality and a score sure to please.

Juilliard Dance, under the direction of Lawrence Rhodes, opens its 2014-15 season in December 2014 with New Dances: Edition 2014 featuring four world premiere dances by innovative choreographers, Juilliard alumnus Austin McCormick (1st-Year Dancers); alumna Loni Landon (2nd-Year Dancers); Kate Weare (3rd-Year Dancers); and Larry Keigwin (4th-Year Dancers). Mr. Keigwin is returning to Juilliard where he already choreographed and premiered, in December 2008, Runaway, a large-scale piece that riffs on the high fashion runway scene, and in December 2009, Megalopolis.

Obie Award-winning writer and performer Daniel Beaty's 'The Tallest Tree in the Forest' opens at the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum tonight, April 19, 2014, at 8 p.m. This play with music chronicles Paul Robeson's remarkable life as an artist and political activist in an unforgettable theatrical biography, which runs through May 25. (Previews began April 13.)

Obie Award-winning writer and performer Daniel Beaty's 'The Tallest Tree in the Forest' opens at the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum Saturday, April 19, 2014, at 8 p.m. This play with music chronicles Paul Robeson's remarkable life as an artist and political activist in an unforgettable theatrical biography, which runs through May 25. (Previews began April 13.)

The Pasadena Playhouse announced Bruce Davison, Sharon Lawrence and RoxAnne Hart to star in A SONG AT TWILIGHT by Noel Coward, the fifth production of its 2013 - 2014 Season. A SONG AT TWILIGHT is performed tonight, March 18 to April 13; the press opening is Sunday, March 23.