Joseph Jefferson

Netta Walker Named First Floor Theater's 2026 Blueprint Commission Recipient
by A.A. Cristi - May 26, 2026

First Floor Theater announced playwright and actor Netta Walker as its 2026 Blueprint Commission recipient. Her new play, NORDICA, inspired by a Harlem Renaissance novel, will undergo a multi-phase workshop process culminating in a staged reading.

William 'Bill' Pullinsi, Candlelight Dinner Playhouse Founder, Dies at 86
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 22, 2026

William 'Bill' Pullinsi, the director and producer credited with pioneering dinner theatre and founding Chicago's Candlelight Dinner Playhouse, has died at 86. His venues launched the careers of Mandy Patinkin, Shelley Long, and others.

Industry Pro Newsletter: Drama Desk winners announced & Jeff Awards halt non-Equity Adjudication
by Alex Freeman - May 18, 2026

In New York, awards season rolls on: Schmigadoon! and Ragtime led the 70th Annual Drama Desk Awards, Dorian Award nominations have been announced, and John Lithgow is slated for a lifetime achievement honor. Chicago’s Jeff Awards have halted non-Equity adjudication to overhaul policies following community backlash, while the UK’s National Theatre is launching a 12-venue partnership to rescue a collapsing regional touring network. We round out the news with a wave of key executive appointments in Massachusetts, Dallas, and London, a breakdown of Australia’s complex new $1.1 billion arts budget, and the return of BroadwayWorld's My Show’s Curtain Call for the 2025-2026 season.

THE MAGIC PARLOUR Extends Run, Adds Guest Magician Eric Jones for Summer Residency
by A.A. Cristi - May 13, 2026

Dennis Watkins announced a new block of tickets for THE MAGIC PARLOUR through year's end, plus a limited three-week residency from Eric Jones, a semi-finalist on NBC's America's Got Talent.

Porchlight Music Theatre Names New Executive Director and Artistic Director
by Stephi Wild - May 13, 2026

Porchlight Music Theatre announced Klaus Peter Schuller as its new executive director and Michael Weber as The Elaine Cohen and Arlen Rubin Artistic Director, with Schuller set to join the Chicago company later this year.

Jeff Awards Pauses All Non-Equity Adjudication Following Industry Backlash
by Joshua Wright - May 12, 2026

The Jeff Awards has paused Non-Equity awards consideration starting June 1, 2026, citing the need for more time to review policies after community backlash.

Daryl D. Brooks Named Artistic Director Of Black Ensemble Theater
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 22, 2026

Black Ensemble Theater has promoted Daryl D. Brooks to Artistic Director, and revealed and the opening of a new 150-seat Studio Theater, rehearsal room and dressing room as the second phase of the Free to BE Village.

Industry Pro Newsletter: P!NK to Host the Tonys + DOJ Settles With Broadway Across America
by Alex Freeman - Apr 13, 2026

On Broadway, the Justice Department's resolution of its investigation into Broadway Across America signals growing scrutiny of market power in the touring industry, while the Tony Awards season heats up with eligibility decisions, a surprise celebrity host announcement in P!NK, and a $100 million facelift planned for Studio 54.

15 Chicago Theaters Cut Ties With Jeff Awards
by Allison Henry - Apr 9, 2026

At least 15 Chicago theater companies have publicly cut ties with the Joseph Jefferson Awards after the organization named Invictus Theatre Artistic Director Charles Askenaizer 'Best Director' at its Non-Equity ceremony on March 23, 2026.

Industry Pro Newsletter: BroadwayWorld Now Speaks 20 Languages — and More Big News
by Alex Freeman - Apr 6, 2026

This week's theater news spans continents and crosses languages — quite literally. In New York, Rattlestick Theater announces a meaningful tribute to one of Off-Broadway's greatest champions, renaming its West Village home in honor of the late playwright Terrence McNally, while Broadway Cares celebrates the generosity of the theater community with a record-breaking fundraising run on Governors Island. Across the Atlantic, the beloved West End hit Paddington the Musical prepares to bring its score to audiences worldwide with an eagerly anticipated cast recording release. And speaking of reaching audiences worldwide, BroadwayWorld announces a major expansion of its multilingual platform, now available in 20 languages ahead of a landmark year for international visitors to the U.S. Meanwhile, in Chicago, the theater community is grappling with hard questions about legacy, accountability, and who gets to define excellence, as the city's storied Jeff Awards face growing calls for reform.

Ford's Theatre Society Names Leonard Slatkin and Gary Sinise as 2026 Lincoln Medalists
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 30, 2026

Ford’s Theatre Society will celebrate the legacy of President Abraham Lincoln at its annual gala performance on Sunday, May 31, 2026, at Ford’s Theatre, honoring Leonard Slatkin and Gary Sinise.

Production Team Revealed For 52nd Anniversary Non-Equity Jeff Awards Ceremony
by Stephi Wild - Mar 12, 2026

At the 52nd Anniversary Joseph Jefferson Awards for Non-Equity Theater, more than 150 recognized artists and new emerging faces and voices will be honored in a program under the artistic direction of Adrian Abel Azevedo.

Porchlight Music Theatre To Present CHICAGO SINGS BROADWAY: BRITISH INVASION At House Of Blues Chicago
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 5, 2026

Porchlight Music Theatre has announced tickets are now on sale for CHICAGO SINGS BROADWAY: BRITISH INVASION, the company’s annual fundraising concert.

OUT, DARN SPOT! To Play Chopin Theatre This Spring
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 5, 2026

Tyler Anthony Smith stars in the solo show OUT, DARN SPOT! at the Chopin Theatre from March 27 to April 12. The production offers a mix of humor, drama, and a touch of Shakespeare, promising a unique theatrical experience.

What You Need to Know About SAFRONIA at Lyric Opera of Chicago
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 26, 2026

Lyric Opera of Chicago is presenting the world premiere of safronia, a landmark musical composition commissioned from Chicago’s first Poet Laureate, the interdisciplinary artist avery r. young.

The Carbonell Awards to Host 49th Annual Ceremony at FAU’s University Theatre on November 16, 2026
by Nicole Rosky - Feb 19, 2026

Gary Schweikhart, board president of the Carbonell Awards, South Florida’s Theatre & Arts Honors, announced that the 49th annual awards ceremony will be held on Monday, November 16 at 7:30 pm, at the University Theatre on the Boca Raton Campus of Florida Atlantic University.

Telos Ensemble Will Debut CASTLES in Stockholm
by Stephi Wild - Feb 19, 2026

Telos Ensemble will present 'CASTLES', a relationship drama exploring the intricacies of commitment, on February 26-27, 2025 at PIK Vasastan, Stockholm.

THE WHO’S TOMMY Will Launch North American Tour in Cleveland This October
by Stephi Wild - Feb 12, 2026

The rock opera sensation The Who’s TOMMY will launch its North American tour in Cleveland, OH at Playhouse Square in the fall of 2026 in an all-new production.

Dennis Watkins Extends THE MAGIC PARLOUR Through Summer; Derek Hughes Joins as Guest Artist
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 11, 2026

Dennis Watkins has extended THE MAGIC PARLOUR in Chicago through summer, adding new tickets and guest performances by Derek Hughes. The intimate magic show continues in the Loop adjacent to Goodman Theatre.

The Jeff Awards Reveals Nominations for 52nd Non-Equity Theater Awards
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 5, 2026

The 57th Jeff Awards ceremony will recognize outstanding achievements in Chicago's Equity theater scene, celebrating over 40 artists from the 2024-25 season.