The Public Theater News

In October 2020, Parent Artist Advocacy League (PAAL) and Blackboard Plays announced an open call for submissions to The Black Motherhood* and Parenting New Play Festival.

RED BULL THEATER today announced that its offerings will continue on Monday May 3rd at 7:30 PM with a RemarkaBULL Podversation, Exploring CYMBELINE with Lily Rabe. She will join host Nathan Winkelstein, Red Bull’s Associate Artistic Director, for a conversation focused on an essential passage from Shakespeare's Cymbeline.

BroadwayWorld is saddened to report that composer Jim Steinman has passed away, according to TMZ. He was 73 years old.

Simon Russell Beale will play JS Bach in the world premiere of Nina Raine's Bach & Sons, directed by Nicholas Hytner.  Performances at The Bridge are from 23 June – 9 September 2021 with opening night on 29 June 2021. 

Today's top stories: Karen Olivo announces they will not return to Moulin Rouge! when it returns to Broadway, and more.

Meredith Suttles has been announced as Marin Theatre Company's new Managing Director.

The Jewish Plays Project has announced its second annual digital contest as part of the 10th Annual Jewish Playwriting Contest. The contest opens on April 15th.

Oak Park Festival Theatre, in partnership with Kane Repertory Theatre, presents a virtual production of “The Venetians,” a new play by Matt Barbot that brings together various characters from several of Shakespeare's best loved plays to address contemporary issues.

The Lark and producer Daryl Roth have announced Brittany K. Allen as the recipient of the 2021 Daryl Roth Creative Spirit Award for her play Happy Happy Joy Joy. Presented annually, this $10,000 award includes a year-long residency at The Lark, with access to its artistic resources and developmental support.

Today’s subject Lileana Blain-Cruz is currently living her theatre life as the director of Signature Theatre’s latest Signature Features streaming offering entitled Daniel J.Watts’ The Jam: Only Child. The show recounts Watts’ life as the only child of a single mother. From the fierce growing pains of boyhood innocence to the awkwardness of teenage years to a proud Black man, Daniel digs through his memory’s attic in a powerful and playful story of metamorphosis. The production is available for streaming through May seventh on Marquee TV.

The Association of Performing Arts Professionals announced the nominees for its APAP Awards, including Dallas Black Dance Theatre Executive Director Zenetta S. Drew. The APAP Honors, a virtual ceremony, will take place on Thursday, May 6, 2021 from 4:00-5:30 p.m. (EDT). The event is free and open-to-the-public.

Theater and LGBTQ luminaries are featured in 92Y's upcoming virtual talks and classes in April and May. The programs will feature Alan Bergman, Ann Hampton Callaway, Alison Bechdel and many more!

Iyvon Edebiri is the new Director of Artistic Programs at Signature Theatre the company announced today. Ms. Edebiri comes to Signature Theatre from The Parsnip Ship, where she has led the radio-play platform for more than six years.

Westport Country Playhouse's “From Concept to Curtain” virtual documentary series will present “Telling Mlima's Tale,” premiering on Thursday, April 15, at 7 p.m., on the Playhouse's website (westportplayhouse.org) and Youtube channel (WestportPlayhouse), free-of-charge.

Former Secretary of State and avid theatergoer Hillary Rodham Clinton will participate in Classic Stage Company's event Tell the Story: Celebrating Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman's Assassins, delivering remarks about the timely and timeless American musical.

The 2021 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize has been awarded to U.S. playwright Erika Dickerson-Despenza for her play about the Flint, Michigan water crisis, cullud wattah. Awarded annually since 1977, The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize is the largest and oldest international prize honoring Women+ playwrights.

American Repertory Theater at Harvard University announced today May and June “destinations” in Tokyo, Buenos Aires, Lagos,  London, and New York City in its A.R.T. Travels program featuring one-of-a-kind experiences and conversations with theater-makers. 

The Public Theater will debut the world premiere audio play SHADOW/LAND, written by Tow Foundation Playwright-in-Residence Erika Dickerson-Despenza, on Tuesday, April 13. Directed by Lilly Award winner Candis C. Jones, SHADOW/LAND will be available for free on-demand streaming through April 13, 2022.

Today's episode features internationally renowned theater choreographer and director, Sergio Trujillo, who was quick to note that his success has been deeply effected by the many supportive people in his life.

Ahead of the announcement of the 2021 The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize winner, BroadwayWorld is excited to spotlight each of this year's finalists. Learn more about Erika Dickerson-Despenza and read an excerpt form her play, cullud wattah.