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Christopher Charles McDaniel has been named Artistic Director of Dances Patrelle, succeeding founder Francis Patrelle. McDaniel, a former Dance Theatre of Harlem principal dancer, will lead the company into its next chapter.

This week's newsletter is packed with leadership news, as theaters across the country — from San Francisco's Magic Theatre to Manhattan Theatre Club to the Cape Playhouse — announced new appointments and restructured their teams. We've also got honors for Heidi Schreck and Cate Blanchett, plus a reminder that the 17th Annual Jimmy Awards stream live from the Minskoff Theatre tonight!

The contemporary ballet company, Chamber Dance Project (CDP): Its bringing together of soloist-level professional ballet dancers during their lay-off periods from major professional companies and partnering them with equally talented musicians and boundary pushing choreographers.

Opera San José General Director & CEO Shawna Lucey has revealed the 2026–27 Artists-in-Residence, a group of distinguished opera professionals who will perform in the company’s four mainstage productions at the California Theatre.

Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival kicks off its 35th anniversary season with MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, directed by Jim Helsinger and starring national tour veterans recreating the legendary 1956 Sun Records jam session at DeSales University.

What did our critic think of BLACK SWAN at American Repertory Theater?

Boston is never lacking outstanding theatre, whether epic Broadway shows, engrossing dramas or bold fringe offerings. BroadwayWorld is rounding up our top recommended theatre every month. Selections for Summer 2026 include Oedipus El Rey and more.

Concert Theatre Works' theatrical concert COPLAND & TWAIN, directed by Bill Barclay, will blend Aaron Copland's incidental music with Mark Twain's writings at Open Jar Studios, conducted by Ken-David Masur.

Boston Dance Alliance named Laura Young and Peter DiMuro recipients of the 2026 Dr. Michael Shannon Dance Champion Award, with Lynda Rieman receiving the Unsung Hero Award at the organization's annual gathering.

On the legal and legislative front, a federal judge ordered the removal of President Trump's name from the Kennedy Center and temporarily blocked its planned closure, while New York State added $150 million to its theatrical production tax credit program. Broadway closed out its 2025–2026 season with a new all-time box office record of $1.91 billion, and the Broadway League and Actors' Equity announced a new audition initiative called LEAP.

Boston Ballet announced the retirement of Principal Dancer Lasha Khozashvili, who joined the company in 2010. His final performance will be as Prince Desire in THE SLEEPING BEAUTY.

Mark MacKillop will raise money for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS with a new Duets concert at the Laurie Beechman Theatre next month. Learn more about the performance here!

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre announced the promotion of Amelia McGravey, Isak Sorenson, and Michael Stadtherr to Corps de Ballet, effective for the 2026-2027 season.

The North Shore Civic Ballet launched its annual online auction to raise funds for dancer scholarships, training, and performances. Bidders can access items ranging from hotel stays to theater tickets at biddingforgood.com/ballet.

Washington National Opera has unveiled its 2026-2027 season—its first full season as an independent company, following its departure from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in January 2026

New York City Ballet has appointed Beatrice Jona Affron as the company's next Associate Music Director, adding new leadership to its music staff. Affron currently serves as Music Director for the Philadelphia Ballet.

WHAT SURVIVES, a new one-act play about a community reckoning with an ICE abduction, will have its world premiere at The Broadwater in Los Angeles during the Hollywood Fringe Festival.

Ballet Eclectica and COCAdance will present VERVE, a season-ending production featuring 12 works choreographed by guest artists, including a tribute to Miles Davis, at the Catherine B. Berges Theatre at COCA in St. Louis.

Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company Will Perform DRAGON DANCE at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, NJ as part of Asian American Heritage Month celebrations, coinciding with a Gotham FC match.

The Royal Ballet and Opera will unveil new stage curtains at a landmark Gala performance featuring dancers, operatic soloists, and a rediscovered Kenneth MacMillan pas de deux believed lost since 1984.

The Hanover Theatre & Conservatory for the Performing Arts announced its summer educational programs, featuring student productions of DISNEY'S FROZEN JR. and THE PROM SCHOOL EDITION for young performers of all ages and experience levels.

Smuin Contemporary Ballet announced its 33rd season, SMUIN IN FRAME, featuring world and regional premieres by Val Caniparoli, Nicolo Fonte, My'Kal Stromile, and Amy Seiwert across four programs in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Mark MacKillop will present BRIEF BALLADS, a benefit cabaret at Soho Project Space in New York City. The event will feature live music, sketch artists, and a post-show auction supporting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Commonwealth Shakespeare Company announced the cast and creative team for its 30th anniversary production of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, directed by Founding Artistic Director Steven Maler at the Parkman Bandstand on Boston Common.

Des Moines Performing Arts announced lineups for four returning series, including the Dance Series featuring Ailey II and Ballet Hispánico, the National Geographic Live Speaker Series, and comedy and concert series at the Temple Theater.