Woodie King, Jr. News

One of the first and most time-honored FREE Summer Festivals in NYC each year, the LOWER EAST SIDE FESTIVAL, begins today, May 27 and continues through May 29 at Theater for the New City (155 First Ave. at 10th St.).

On May 24, The Lorraine Hansberry Awards, presented by Goodman Theatre Resident Director Chuck Smith and Woodie King, Jr., New Federal Theatre Artistic Director, will honor five women: Micki Grant, Lynn Hamilton, Shauneille Perry, Dr. Glory Van Scott and Camille Yarbrough.

One of the first and most time-honored FREE Summer Festivals in NYC each year - the LOWER EAST SIDE FESTIVAL -- will take place this year, the FEST's 21st annual event  -- Memorial Day Weekend May 27 to 29 at Theater for the New City (155 First Ave. at 10th St.), it has been announced by Crystal Field, co-founder and Artistic Director of Theater for the New City. 

Woodie King Jr.'s New Federal Theatre (NFT) will hold a Gala Benefit on Sunday, June 26 from 2:00 to 5:30 PM at Trump Place, 220 Riverside Boulevard (enter West 70th Street) honoring Novella Nelson and Melvin Van Peebles, two of many actors and directors who have worked at NFT over the theatre's 46 year history.

Woodie King Jr.'s New Federal Theatre (NFT) will hold a Gala Benefit on Sunday, June 26 from 2:00 to 5:30 PM at Trump Place, 220 Riverside Boulevard (enter West 70th Street) honoring Novella Nelson and Melvin Van Peebles, two of many actors and directors who have worked at NFT over the theatre's 46 year history.  Mr. Van Peebles will be introduced by Academy Award winner Estelle Parsons.  Ms. Nelson will be introduced by former Mayor David Dinkins.

SUGAR RAY by Laurence Holder, directed by Woodie King Jr. and performed by Reginald L. Wilson, had been extended through April 26 at New Harlem Besame Restaurant in Harlem but will now close April 12, 2016. Upon closing, the show will have played 22 performances.

Woodie King Jr.'s New Federal Theatre, in association with Castillo Theatre, will revive Martin Duberman's IN WHITE AMERICA, one of the signature plays of the Civil Rights Era, in a Off-Broadway production tonight, October 15, to November 15 at Castillo Theatre, 543 West 42nd Street.

Woodie King Jr.'s New Federal Theatre, in association with Castillo Theatre, will revive Martin Duberman's IN WHITE AMERICA, one of the signature plays of the Civil Rights Era, in a Off-Broadway production October 15 to November 15 at Castillo Theatre, 543 West 42nd Street.

 Woodie King Jr.'s New Federal Theatre, in association with Castillo Theatre, will revive Martin Duberman's 'In White America,' one of the signature plays of the Civil Rights Era, in a Off-Broadway production October 15 to November 15 at Castillo Theatre, 543 West 42nd Street.  The famed documentary play traces the American quest for racial equality from the earliest days of the republic to the Little Rock crisis of 1957, with dialogue drawn from historical letters, speeches, journals, songs and other personal accounts including recordings of former slaves. Charles Maryan directs an ensemble of seven which includes actor-turned-newscaster-turned-actor Art McFarland.

Woodie King Jr's New Federal Theatre kicks off its 47th season a rare revival of Martin Duberman's In White America, not seen in NYC for 50 years! In White America, directed by Charles Maryan, will begin performances October 15th, with opening night set for October 29th at the Castillo Theater (543 West 42nd Street). This limited Off-Broadway engagement will continue through November 15th only.

Woodie King Jr's New Federal Theatre will continue its 46th season dedicated to Amira Baraka with the world premiere of his final play, The Most Dangerous Man In America (W. E. B. Du Bois). Performances began May 28th, with opening night set for tonight, June 11th at the Castillo Theater (543 West 42nd Street). This limited Off-Broadway engagement, directed by Woodie King Jr., will continue through June 28th only. BroadwayWorld has a look at the cast in action below!

Woodie King Jr's New Federal Theatre will continue its 46th season dedicated to Amira Baraka with the world premiere of his final play, The Most Dangerous Man In America (W. E. B. Du Bois). Performances will begin tomorrow, May 28th, with opening night set for June 11th at the Castillo Theater (543 West 42nd Street). This limited Off-Broadway engagement, directed by Woodie King Jr., will continue through June 28th only. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Woodie King Jr's New Federal Theatre will continue its 46th season dedicated to Amira Baraka with the world premiere of his final play, The Most Dangerous Man In America (W. E. B. Du Bois).  Performances will begin May 28th, with opening night set for June 11th at the Castillo Theater (543 West 42nd Street). This limited Off-Broadway engagement, directed by Woodie King Jr., will continue through June 28th only.  

Woodie King Jr.'s National Black Touring Circuit, in conjunction with Voza Rivers/New Heritage Theatre Group, held a special presentation of the 2015 Black History Month Play Series at Harlem Hospital on February 15 with a special reading of Ossie Davis' 1950s Civil Rights school desegregation play The People of Clarendon County and the one man show Adam, the story of Harlem minister and congressman Adam Clayton Powell. Both plays will be performed February 20 - 22 at Mind-Builders Performing Arts Center in the Bronx. Check out photos below!

Amiri Baraka's DUTCHMAN Comes to the Castillo Theatre Woodie King Jr.'s production of DUTCHMAN breathes new life into Amiri Baraka's social drama.

Woodie King Jr's New Federal Theatre kicks off its 46th season with 'The Amira Baraka Project' - featuring a revival of his early acclaimed play Dutchman from 1964 and the world premiere of his final play, Most Dangerous Man In America (W. E. B. Du Bois), written fifty years later. Dutchman, directed by Woodie King Jr., will begin performances tonight, February 5th, with opening night set for February 20th at the Castillo Theater (543 West 42nd Street). This limited Off-Broadway engagement will continue through March 8th only. Most Dangerous Man In America (W. E. B. Du Bois) follows in May.

Woodie King Jr's New Federal Theatre kicks off its 46th season with 'The Amira Baraka Project' - featuring a revival of his early acclaimed play Dutchman from 1964 and the world premiere of his final play, Most Dangerous Man In America (W. E. B. Du Bois), written fifty years later. Dutchman, directed by Woodie King Jr., will begin performances February 5th, with opening night set for February 20th at the Castillo Theater (543 West 42nd Street). This limited Off-Broadway engagement will continue through March 8th only.

Woodie King Jr's New Federal Theatre kicks off its 45th season with Karima's Accept 'Except' LGBT NY, which will begin performances tonight, October 23rd and continue through November 23rd with opening night set for November 6th. Tony Award winner George Faison directs a cast that features Tuluv Maria Price and Tyree Young. The design team includes Chris Cumberbatch (scenic design), Ali Turns (costume design), Thurston Reyes (lighting design), and Ralph Gentry (sound/visual design). Scroll down for a first look at the cast in action!

Woodie King Jr's New Federal Theatre kicks off its 45th season with Karima's Accept 'Except' LGBT NY, which will begin performances October 23rd and continue through November 23rd with opening night set for November 6th. Tony Award winner George Faison directs a cast that features Tuluv Maria Price and Tyree Young. The design team includes Chris Cumberbatch (scenic design), Ali Turns (costume design), Thurston Reyes (lighting design), and Ralph Gentry (sound/visual design). Scroll down for a first look at the cast in action!