The Public Theater News

The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust today announced the names of the 20 outstanding early-to-mid-career playwrights who will be celebrated with 2020 Steinberg Playwright Awards in the amount of $10,000 each

The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust today announced the names of the 20 outstanding early-to-mid-career playwrights who will be celebrated with 2020 Steinberg Playwright Awards in the amount of $10,000 each. As previously announced, these awards are being given in response to this extremely difficult year, and in an effort to better meet the immediate and pressing needs of playwrights.

Tom Ridgely has led the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival since 2018. A Drama Desk-nominated director, he has developed or presented work at the Public Theater, The Old Globe, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, Shakespeare Society, Red Bull and more.

The Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival shared today plans for a 2021 Summer Season under their iconic open-air tent. Should circumstances allow, they will produce The Tempest, William Shakespeare’s late masterpiece of magic, power, and forgiveness; alongside The Most Spectacularly Lamentable Trial of Miz Martha Washington by James Ijames.

Tony and GRAMMY winning superstar Leslie Odom Jr. brings the holiday cheer with this song from 'The Christmas Album,' his new project that reimagines a host of holiday favorites.

Burning Coal Theatre Company will present Two Plays by Dael Orlandersmith, Forever and Until the Flood. Both focuses on themes of loss, family, and economic and societal impediments faced by the African American communities in the latter half of the 20th century and into the 21st century.

James Corden connects with friend and 'The Prom' co-star Keegan-Michael Key who tells James about he and his wife's holiday bush/tree complete with COVID-themed ornaments. And James asks Keegan-Michael about his days in rock bands before wooing Meryl Streep on the set of 'The Prom' channeling his wife for his character, Principal Hawkins.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater announces its lineup of Winter classes featuring classes catered to families, theater lovers, students, adults and emerging theater artists. The Voices of Now Mead Ensemble for young artists will begin this winter, meeting virtually to contribute to a new original film. Just in time for the holidays, this robust line of programming has something for everyone and makes the perfect unique gift for the theater lover in your family.

The 36th Annual NY Dance and Performance Awards, The Bessies, reconceived this year to honor all of the 2019/20 nominated artists, took place tonight as a virtual ceremony.

New York-based musical theatre writing team Bird & Mirabella have announced two new episodes of their free musical podcast “What Will She Do Next?,” both celebrating notable women in the military. These family-friendly podcasts use interactive storytelling and Broadway-style songs to celebrate key moments in the lives of history's greatest women.

Manchester International Festival, Arts Council England and The Public Theater will showcase work by Inua Ellams and Javaad Alipoor at The Public's Under The Radar Festival (6-17 January 2021), as part of a three-year partnership, that began last year, to promote artists and companies based in England to a global audience.  

Today marks the 35th anniversary of the A Chorus Line film.  To celebrate this anniversary Concord Theatricals has released a new lyric video for “What I Did For Love” from the original cast recording featuring Priscilla Lopez and the A Chorus Line ensemble.

Molière in the Park's live stream of Christina Anderson's Pen/Man/Ship, directed by MIP's Founding Artistic Director Lucie Tiberghien, opens tonight at 7pm EST.

Kris Kringle The Musical, the perennial holiday musical which will stream in a virtual production on Christmas Day, offers an early holiday gift.

New York-based musical theatre writing team Bird & Mirabella are pleased to announce two new episodes of their free musical podcast “What Will She Do Next?,” both celebrating notable women in the military. Performed by Broadway, film and TV stars, these family-friendly podcasts use interactive storytelling and Broadway-style songs to celebrate key moments in the lives of history's greatest women. The educational and entertaining series also features 'Bite-Sized Biographies,” all-spoken, full length biographies (no singing or actors) – perfect for bedtime!

National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts) announces programming for the upcoming season with creative and professional development opportunities supporting YoungArts award winners at every stage of their careers. YoungArts' offerings will focus on four key areas: free virtual programming for artists and audiences; creative development and presentation opportunities; community support, engagement and networking; and financial awards.

SHADOWLAND STAGES today announced that the theatre will present a special online benefit reading of CHRISTMAS EVE 1953, a short story by Tom Hanks that has been adapted for the stage by SHADOWLAND STAGES' artistic associate, James Glossman.

In response to this anomalous year, and in an effort to better meet the immediate and pressing needs of the field of playwriting, the Trust is has announced that it will celebrate the work of 20 outstanding early-to-mid-career playwrights with 2020 Steinberg Playwright Awards in the amount of $10,000 each.

Rhinebeck Writers Retreat is presenting a streamed reading of the new musical TL;DR: THELMA LOUISE; DYKE REMIX, with book and lyrics by EllaRose Chary, music and lyrics by Brandon James Gwinn, and directed by Sherri Eden Barber.

Keegan talks about growing up in Detroit, making his on screen debut, working with Meryl Streep in 'The Prom,' singing in a bunch of recent projects, being intimidated by Eddie Murphy, and his most obscure impressions.