The Public Theater News

Lin-Manuel Miranda released an early demo of How Far I'll Go, from Moana! The demo was sung by Phillipa Soo in the basement of the Public Theater, during the off-Broadway run of Hamilton.

YALE SCHOOL OF DRAMA introduces the 2020 Class of scenic, costume, lighting, sound, and projection designers, who matriculated this week. A showcase of these artists' work will be held in New York when conditions allow. More information will be shared online at drama.yale.edu/designshowcase2020 when possible.

'Empathy CONCERT & Perspectives!': A weekly, live, interactive video session continues with Elliott Masie and Broadway Stars Mandy Gonzalez, Raymond J. Lee, and Telly Leung on Friday, May 22nd.

Tony Award-winner Ben Platt sings a?oeOh, Columbiaa?? an original song by Pulitzer and Tony Award-winner and Columbia alumni, Tom Kitt, for the 2020 Columbia University grads. 

Building on over 40 years of producing powerful contemporary theatre, Studio Theatre is pleased to announce its largest class ever of commissioned artists to Studio R&D, its incubator to support the creation of new work. Studio will award grants to 10 artists-playwrights, directors, and multidisciplinary creators-investing in its future while supporting theatre-makers and expanding the idea of what it means to be a generative artist. For the first time, Studio R&D commissions are being awarded to support the creation of audio plays, as Studio explores alternate modes of theatrical storytelling in response to the present moment.

 Joe's Pub, a program of The Public Theater, continues JOE'S PUB LIVE!, its series of live-streamed and archived performances from their stage in New York City. Designed to facilitate social connection during this time of physical distancing, Joe's Pub will share events with audiences worldwide each Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8PM Eastern.

Today, our Behind the Curtain interview is with Bishon Prushankin, Bartender for The Public Theater and Nederlander theatres.

Eye Zen Presents is pleased to announce the return of OUT of Site: SOMA, its performance-driven, queer history tour of San Francisco's South of Market neighborhood, this time as a livestreamed but still interactive event. Like so many other arts organizations, Eye Zen has decided to move its affairs online due to health and safety concerns in the wake of COVID-19.

On Tuesday, May 19, presenters Charles Bush and Julie Halston, along with OBA President Peter Breger, announced the 10th Annual Off Broadway Alliance. The Off Broadway Alliance plans on celebrating this year's winners with a reception this Fall.

The indomitable spirit of New York City Pride can never be dampened, and Joe's Pub, a program of The Public Theater, continues to stand in solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community. Joe's Pub invites its fans from all over the world to come together and celebrate Pride inside with JOE'S PUB LIVE!

Lynne Meadow (Artistic Director) and Barry Grove (Executive Producer) have announced this year's six recipients of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Initiative commissions. The commissioned writers are Kate Attwell, Mia Chung, Noah Diaz, Julia Izumi, Ife Olujobi, and Stacey Rose.

Okwui Okpokwasili  performed a monologue from King Lear as part of The Public Theater's Brave New Shakespeare challenge!

This weekend (May 16-17) in live streaming: 54 Sings Grand Hotel, Chita returns to Stars in the House, and so much more!

Today (May 15) in live streaming: Broadway's Next on Stage continues, ALW streams Cats and so much more!

2020 Jonathan Larson Grant recipients Abigail and Shaun Bengson share what this grant means to them in a virtual acceptance speech.

Today (May 14) in live streaming: Broadway's Next on Stage premieres, Josh Groban hosts movie night and so much more!

Charles Busch and Julie Halston will announce the winners of the 10th Annual Off Broadway Alliance Awards on Tuesday, May 19 at 11:30 am. The winners will be announced via streaming on Facebook and YouTube.

GHOSTLIGHT RECORDS has announced that The Liz Swados Project will be available on digital and streaming formats on Friday, May 22. The Liz Swados Project - a newly-recorded tribute album to the visionary artist - features an epic tribe of diverse performers, composers and lyricists, who have been influenced and inspired by Swados.

The latest episode of the Broadway podcast a?oeThe Fabulous Invalida?? is a tribute to legendary theatre producer and non-profit administrator Bernard Gersten, who passed away on April 27th at age 97. 

Playwrights Mona Mansour and Stav Palti-Negev discuss their Middle Eastern and American identities, how culture impacts their work, and how the current crisis is felt around the world.