Vanessa Bell News

Back by popular demand, Obie award-winning actor and writer Roger Guenveur Smith (Do The Right Thing) returns to the stage-- virtually -- with his new solo performance, OTTO FRANK, a historical account of the father of Anne Frank.

WACO Theater Center, Los Angeles's premiere non-profit gallery and cultural center, announced it will host a Virtual Celebration to raise funds for its programs and families impacted by COVID-19. 

The Richard Lawson Studios is continuing its new Master Class series with veteran actors Vanessa Bell Calloway and Keith David, as well as award-winning director/writer/actor Lily Mariye. Classes will take place every Saturday morning at 10 AM PST.

In case you were unable to join us for the live stream, or if youa??d like to revisit the powerful new works by some of Broadway and Hollywooda??s most vital voices, we invite you to watch #WhileWeBreathe, recorded live on Wednesday, July 29.

Producers Brian Moreland (Blue) and Arvind Ethan David (Jagged Little Pill) have announced #WhileWeBreathe: A Night of Creative Protest.

Producers Brian Moreland and Arvind Ethan David have announced casting for #WhileWeBreathe: A Night of Creative Protest in benefit of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc and The Bail Project, Black Organizing for Leadership and Dignity (BOLD), BYP100 Education Fund, Forced Trajectory Project (FTP), The Justice Committee, and SONG.

The AUDELCO and Obie-Award-winning Billie Holiday Theatre will present a special virtual edition of its popular 50in50 monologue showcase series with the highly anticipated 50in50:Letters to Our Sons as part of its new #StayAtHome Reading Series, an innovative online play reading series.

Back by popular demand, Obie award-winning actor and writer Roger Guenveur Smith returns to Bootleg Theatre with his new solo performance, OTTO FRANK, a historical account of the father of Anne Frank. The performances will take place March 26 - April 5. 

The 28th annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards® Viewing Party with Netflix's Queer Eye Fab Five: Bobby Berk, Tan France, Karamo, Antoni Porowski and Jonathan Van Ness raised over $6.4 million for the global effort to end AIDS. The gala, which took place on Sunday, February 9 at West Hollywood Park in Los Angeles was generously supported by Presenting Sponsors IMDb, Walmart and Neuro Drinks and the Event  Hosts Heidi Klum, Diane Lane, Eric McCormack and Billy Porter.

In celebration of Black History Month, Focus Features and Regal have partnered to offer free screenings of HARRIET in 50 theatres around the United States on Tuesday, February 4, and Tuesday, February 11.  The film depicts the life of one of history's most courageous African American heroes, Harriet Tubman, bringing her story to the big screen for the very first time. For her work as the titular role of Harriet, Cynthia Erivo has been nominated for two Academy Awards®, for Best Actress and Best Original Song for a?oeStand Up,a?? which she co-wrote with Joshuah Brian Campbell. 

Season six American Idol finalist and recording artist Melinda Doolittle is set to return with her show Great American Soul Book to Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood for one performance only on Wednesday, February 5, at 8:30pm, it was announced today by Chris Isaacson Presents and Catalina.

Follow the inspirational journey of one of the bravest people and heroes in history, Harriet Tubman, as she risks her life to save others from the horrors of slavery in HARRIET, arriving on Digital January 14, 2020 and Blu-rayi??, DVD and On Demand on January 28, 2020 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. With a 97% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes®, HARRIET on Blu-rayi??, DVD and Digital has a variety of compelling bonus features, including deleted scenes, a deeper look into Harriet Tubman's story, and feature commentary with director and co-writer Kasi Lemmons. The captivating and emotional story of courage, HARRIET has been nominated for two 2020 Golden Globe® awards including Best Actress in a Drama for Cynthia Erivo and Best Original Song for a?oeStand Upa?? which was co-written by film star Erivo and Joshuah Campbell. Additionally, the film was nominated for a SAG Award® and a Critics Choice Award, earning a total of three Best Actress nominations.

The 32nd Annual Virginia Film Festival will feature a deep and diverse program of more than 150 films, including some of the hottest titles on the festival circuit today, and an array of special guests from throughout the industry, and from across the globe. This year's lineup includes award-winning actor, writer, and director Ethan Hawke, noted actor Ann Dowd, international bestselling author John Grisham, actor Dennis Christopher, acclaimed filmmaker Wanuri Kahiu - plus more than 100 filmmakers in all.

a??a??a??a??a??a??a??Jimmy Kimmel's Comedy Club at The LINQ Promenade has proudly announced an extension to their first-ever limited engagement with comedian/actress and the Original Bad Girl of Comedy, Luenell. Hot and hilarious, along with her in-your-face delivery has made her a fan favorite.  

Deadline reports that Nomzamo Mbatha and Garcelle Beauvais have joined the star-studded cast of Coming 2 America! Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall  will reprise their roles from the 1988 classic comedy film. 

Deadline reports that Rotimi has joined the sequel to Eddie Murphy's 'Coming to America,' named appropriately numerically: 'Coming 2 America.' He joins original cast members Eddie Murphy (Prince Akeem) and Arsenio Hall (Semmi), James Earl Jones (King Jaffe Joffer), Paul Bates (Oha), John Amos (Cleo McDowell), Shari Headley (Lisa McDowell), Louie Anderson (Maurice), and Vanessa Bell Calloway (Imani Izzi).

2019 Tony winner Andre De Shields has been attending The National Black Theatre Festival® (NBTF) in Winston-Salem, N. C. since 1995. Dubbed the 'Black Theatre Holy Ground,' NBTF is the international outreach program of the North Carolina Black Repertory Company, founded by the late Larry Leon Hamlin in 1979. The Festival, also founded by Hamlin, has been held biennially since 1989. The NCBRC celebrated its 40th anniversary this year, while the NBTF celebrated its 30th.

Get lifted with a soaring summer lineup of powerful true stories and inspiring journeys this August with star achievers from the worlds of sports, film and television, business, fashion, motivational speaking and more on Rushion McDonald's hit show 'Money Making Conversations.' Speaking success into your life and the tools and expertise on how to achieve it, every week Rushion McDonald – the two-time EMMY®-winning producer, social media influencer, entrepreneur, and branding guru – is joined by tastemakers, celebrities, entrepreneurs, and scintillating personalities, carrying on a refreshing dialogue on carving out long-term, high-levels of success across a broad range of industries. Providing guidance on the blueprints for realizing your goals in your career, managing your finances, maintaining health and wellness, mentorship, and more, 'Money Making Conversations' is hosted and produced by Rushion McDonald and available across digital platforms, satellite networks and terrestrial radio including: SiriusXM Satellite Radio Channels 141 on Howard University's Campus, and 142 on HBCU Campuses on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, via Apple Music, iHeartRadio podcast, Spreaker, Amazon Alexa, Stitcher, SoundCloud, every Monday live on Atlanta's biz1190-AM from 10AM-Noon ET, with replays on Fridays 10AM ET, and Sundays at 4PM ET, on WSNC 90.5-FM and WRVS 89.9-FM in North Carolina, and live-stream on Rushion McDonald's Facebook page.

The much-anticipated fourth season of the hit drama series Saints & Sinners will debut on Bounce on Sunday, July 7 at 9:00 p.m., with new episodes premiering Sunday nights through the summer.

Check out our list of some of the top venues to check out when visiting Cleveland below!