Working Theatre News

The University of Texas Department of Theatre and Dance at Austin presents UTNT (UT New Theatre), today, December 3, through the 7th at the Lab Theatre.

BPA Theatre School is now registering for the Winter Session (mid-January - late March) plus Mid-Winter (February 16 - 20) and Spring Break (March 30 - April 3) Camps. Led by experienced teaching artists, BPA Theatre School provides year-round classes and camps for all ages and experience levels. The Winter Session includes offerings in four primary programs: Developing Actors, Building Character, Teen Intensive, and Performance Series.

The University of Texas Department of Theatre and Dance at Austin presents UTNT (UT New Theatre), December 3-7 at the Lab Theatre. Now in its eighth iteration, this annual showcase brings to stage dynamic works by third-year Master of Fine Arts Playwriting candidates Patrick Shaw, Eva Suter, Diana Lynn Small and Brian Kettler. Curated by Steven Dietz and Cara Phipps, these new stories explore a prodigal daughter's return, mysteries at a school, a fight for humanity, and a stranger's arrival prompting unexpected discoveries.

The 26th Annual Festival of New Musicals, presented by the National Alliance For Musical Theatre (NAMT), kicked off with THE 46TH MINUTE, a concert hosted by Lindsay Mendez and featuring performances by Heidi Blickenstaff, Doreen Montalvo, Mamie Parris, Bryce Ryness, and more. Musical presentations started October 23 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street) and included Beautiful Poison, Cubamor, Great Wall, How To Break, Mary Marie, The Noteworthy Life of Howard Barnes, String and Stu For Silverton. The Festival concluded on October 24, 2014. Scroll down for photos!

On October 16, 2014 the Alley Theatre was honored with the Houston Mod Preservation Award. The award, presented by Houston Mod, recognizes Alley Theatre for furthering the knowledge, appreciation and preservation of modern architecture and design in Houston and Texas. Houston Mod's president Steve Curry states that the Houston Mod Preservation Award 'is specifically intended to celebrate Alley Theatre's stewardship of this unique modern Houston landmark, especially appropriate now that the renovation is underway.'

The National Alliance For Musical Theatre (NAMT) is proud to announce final casting for the 26th Annual Festival of New Musicals. Michael Cassara Casting serves as the resident casting office for the 26th Annual Festival of New Musicals, taking place on Thursday, October 23, 2014 and Friday, October 24, 2014 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street). Online Festival registration ends Friday, October 17.

The National Alliance For Musical Theatre (NAMT) just announced initial casting for the 26th Annual Festival of New Musicals. Michael Cassara Casting serves as the resident casting office for the 26th Annual Festival of New Musicals, taking place on Thursday, October 23, 2014 and Friday, October 24, 2014 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street).

Ford's Theatre Society announced that a hallmark museum exhibition, Silent Witnesses: Artifacts of the Lincoln Assassination, will return a priceless collection of items that were in the Theatre or carried by Abraham Lincoln the night of his assassination to the Center for Education and Leadership (514 Tenth Street, NW), March 23 to May 25, 2015. The exhibition will coincide with the 150th anniversary of Lincoln's assassination and death on April 14 and 15, 2015.

The Ford's Theatre Society 2014-2015 season begins with Nancy Robinette and Craig Wallace in the Pulitzer Prize-winning play 'Driving Miss Daisy,' directed by Jennifer L. Nelson, tonight, September 26 through October 26, 2014, at Ford's Theatre (511 Tenth Street NW, Washington, D.C.). The cast also includes Ron Heneghan as Boolie Werthan.

The National Alliance For Musical Theatre (NAMT) announced today the all-star lineup of directors and musical directors participating in the 26th Annual Festival of New Musicals on Thursday, October 23, 2014 and Friday, October 24, 2014 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street).

Pink House Productions previously announced the New York City premier of YOU, ME AND THAT GUY, a hilarious 80 minute comedy about a recent college grad who uses the magic of a mystical open mic to heal her relationships with her technology saturated family and friends. Written by Stephen Sanow*, YOU, ME AND THAT GUY will open the 2014 Araca Project.

Pink House Productions announced today the New York City premier of YOU, ME AND THAT GUY, a hilarious 80 minute comedy about a recent college grad who uses the magic of a mystical open mic to heal her relationships with her technology saturated family and friends. Written by Stephen Sanow*, YOU, ME AND THAT GUY will open the 2014 Araca Project.

The Ford's Theatre Society 2014-2015 season begins with Nancy Robinette and Craig Wallace in the Pulitzer Prize-winning play "Driving Miss Daisy," directed by Jennifer L. Nelson, September 26 through October 26, 2014, at Ford's Theatre (511 Tenth Street NW, Washington, D.C.). The cast also includes Ron Heneghan as Boolie Werthan.

Registration for BPA Theatre School's Fall 2014 session is now underway under the impassioned leadership of recently appointed Director of Education Zandi Carlson. BPA Theatre School's highly-qualified cadre of teaching artists and assistants lead year-round classes for students, age three-and-a-half to adult.

Final preparations are under way in Royal Oak's Starr Jaycee Park for the 14th annual outdoor summer theatre festival, Shakespeare Royal Oak. The festival begins July 28 and continues through Sunday, August 10. Tickets ($10-$20) are on sale now for Hamlet and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) [Revised] and can be purchased online at www.shakespeareroyaloak.com. A complete Shakespeare Royal Oak performance schedule follows this release. In addition to its outdoor productions, Water Works will also offer performance minded students an opportunity to learn from working theatre professionals with the Water Works Academy and KidsAct! July 28 - August 9.

For the 13th year, Water Works Theatre Company is offering performance minded students a chance to learn from working theatre professionals and to perform on the outdoor stage in Starr Jaycee Park during its annual Shakespeare Royal Oak festival. Spots are still available for the Water Works Academy for high school students and KidsAct! for students entering grades 1-8. More information and registration can be found online at www.shakespeareroyaloak.com.

Vice President Joe Biden, Dr. Jill Biden, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, President pro tempore of the Senate Patrick Leahy, House Majority Leader Elect Kevin McCarthy, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, National Security Advisor Susan Rice, actress Debbie Allen, members of Congress and other distinguished guests attended the Ford's Theatre Annual Gala the evening of Sunday, June 22, 2014, at Ford's Theatre (511 10th Street NW). The gala performance was followed by a seated dinner at the National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Museum (750 Ninth Street NW). The evening included the presentation of the Ford's Theatre Lincoln Medal to actor James Earl Jones and the U.S. House of Representatives' longest-serving member, The Honorable John D. Dingell. The award was given in recognition of their extraordinary character, service, accomplishments and work reflecting Lincoln's legacy of humanity, wisdom, eloquence and vision.

Florida Rep's Education Department is pleased to announce the opening of URINETOWN, The Musical! This hilarious and irreverent tale of greed, corruption, love, and revolution plays this weekend, May 30 at 7pm and May 31 at 2pm and 7pm in the Historic Arcade Theatre.

Looking for a safe, fun environment for your kids this summer? Stage Door Inc. Center for the Performing Arts and Education is pleased to announce its 2014 SUMMER YOUTH ACADEMY, a summer musical theatre class for students from ages 4 to 17. This year's show selection is Disney's timeless story ALADDIN JR.

Denver Center Attractions previously announced the 2014 nominees for The Bobby G Awards - the Colorado regional awards program for The National High School Musical Theater Awards. The awards ceremony, tonight, May 29 at 7pm at The Buell Theatre, includes performances from the shows nominated for Outstanding Overall Production, a medley featuring the nominees for Outstanding Performance by an Actor/Actress in a Leading Role and honors outstanding achievements by students and educators made in the areas of performance, design, direction, choreography, technical production and overall production excellence.