Thulani Davis News

Berkshire Theatre Group has announced immersive outdoor experiences for summer 2021, with a casting sneak-peek. BTG will be releasing a complete season cast announcement at a later date. Berkshire Theatre Group will work in adherence with government guidelines and corresponding health and safety officials.

From April 6-10, American Lyric Theater (ALT) presents FROM ERASED TO SELF-EMPOWERED: CELEBRATING BIPOC OPERA COMPOSERS AND LIBRETTISTS, a three-part online seminar and roundtable, culminating in a free virtual concert performance April 10th at 7:30 pm et. The program is open to composers, librettists, educators and the general public. Advance registration is required.

The Drama League has just announced the 2021 Nominees and Special Recognition Honorees for The 87th Annual Drama League Awards. Keeping in the tradition of honoring the outstanding accomplishments of the theatrical community, as they have since 1935, this year the organization has established five unique categories to honor the extraordinary achievements of artists across the nation who created digital and socially-distanced theatrical productions during this challenging year of suspension for live arts.

American Lyric Theater is inviting artists from all backgrounds to participate in its free, virtual Opera Writers Symposium as part of the organization's ongoing commitment to mentoring the next generation of operatic writers.

On the evening of February 10, 2021, The Broad Stage presented Breathing Free, an auditory and visual online love letter to freedom produced by Heartbeat opera to tell the stories of those who who have experienced various versions of its absence. Through an inquisitive collaborative process with a diverse community of artists, Heartbeat breaks down traditional barriers to reimagine opera for artists and audiences of the twenty-first century.

HEARTBEAT OPERA announces the West Coast Premiere of Breathing Free, an ambitious and “gripplingly produced” (Boston Globe) visual album dedicated to the celebration of Black artistic voices, presented by The Broad Stage online Wednesday, February 10 at 7pm (Pacific) and Saturday, February 13 at 7pm (Pacific).  For tickets and information visit thebroadstage.org.

Today American Lyric Theater has announced the Opera Writers Diversity and Representation Initiative as part of an ongoing commitment to mentoring the next generation of operatic writers. First steps include the appointment of conductor Kelly Kuo as ALT’s new Associate Artistic Director and the creation of a free, virtual Opera Writers Symposium.

HEARTBEAT OPERA announces the West Coast Premiere of Breathing Free, an ambitious filmed song cycle dedicated to the celebration of Black artistic voices, presented by The Broad Stage online Wednesday, February 10 at 7pm (Pacific) and Saturday, February 13 at 7pm (Pacific).  For tickets and information visit thebroadstage.org.

HEARTBEAT OPERA—the radical indie opera company 'leading the charge in online opera' (Parterre) with 'groundbreaking' virtual content (Operawire) that is 'hacking the corporate contours of Zoom into a postmodern proscenium” (Washington Post)—announces BREATHING FREE, an ambitious six-part virtual series from December 4-12, dedicated to the celebration of Black artistic voices.

HEARTBEAT OPERA—the radical indie opera company 'leading the charge in online opera' (Parterre) with 'groundbreaking' virtual content (Operawire) that is 'hacking the corporate contours of Zoom into a postmodern proscenium” (Washington Post)—announces BREATHING FREE, an ambitious six-part virtual series from December 4-12, dedicated to the celebration of Black artistic voices.

While the Covid-19 pandemic has shuttered many performing arts organizations around the world, Long Beach Opera (LBO) has been industriously devising live innovative performance opportunities for both its artists and audiences. 

Following an overwhelmingly positive response from audiences and critics alike, Berkeley Rep has announced that the world premiere of Paradise Square: A New Musical will extend for an additional week. The popular show will now run through Sunday, March 3.

 On Wednesday, March 20, 2019, American Composers Orchestra (ACO) celebrates four individuals - true forces of nature - who have effected change in the American musical landscape at its annual Gala: Jon Deak, Founder & Artistic Director of New York Philharmonic's Very Young Composers; violinist Jennifer Koh; composer and conductor Tania Leon; and Frederick Wertheim, ACO Board Chairman. 

Due to an overwhelming demand and two weeks of sold-out previews, Berkeley Rep has announced that the world premiere of Paradise Square: A New Musical will extend for an additional week. Originally scheduled to close on February 17, the popular show will now run through Sunday, February 24.

Music scholar, academic and writer Alejandro L. Madrid announced on December 16, 2018 that he has signed a contract with the University of Illinois to write: 'Becoming Tania León. The Journey of an American Composer.' The projected completion date is September 2019. This is sure to be a fascinating read about an extraordinary artist now celebrating more than 50 years in the United States.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre today announced the full cast and creative team for Paradise Square: An American Musical. The world premiere is helmed by acclaimed director Moises Kaufman, with choreography by the legendary Bill T. Jones and a book by Marcus Gardley, Craig Lucas, and Larry Kirwan. Music by Jason Howland and Larry Kirwan, with lyrics by Nathan Tysen, and based on the songs of Stephen Foster. Paradise Square is produced by special arrangement with Garth H. Drabinsky in association with Peter LeDonne and Teatro Proscenium Limited Partnership.

It is considered by many to be the greatest all-female rock band of all time. Its members were pioneers-all four composed, sang, and played their own instruments, in the face of a music business determined to exploit them, and in a time and a world incapable of accepting them. The band lasted four years, from 1970-1974, but has never received the recognition it deserved. "One of the most important female bands in American rock has been buried without a trace," David Bowie told Rolling Stone in a 1999 interview. "And that is Fanny…. They're as important as anybody else who's ever been, ever; it just wasn't their time. Revivify Fanny. And I will feel that my work is done."

The University of Central Arkansas, in conjunction with partners in Little Rock, has produced multiple events that use the arts to spotlight the history of Little Rock's Central High School, marking the 90th anniversary of its opening and commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Desegregation Crisis in 1957. T

The University of Central Arkansas, in conjunction with partners in Little Rock, has produced multiple events that use the arts to spotlight the history of Little Rock's Central High School, marking the 90thanniversary of its opening and commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Desegregation Crisis in 1957.

The Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDC Foundation), the not-for-profit foundation of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), hosted its star-studded 'Mr. Abbott' Award Gala honoring Kenny Leon at espace in New York City earlier this week. BroadwayWorld was there and brings you photos from inside the ceremony below!