Manhattan Theatre Club announced full casting for the Broadway premiere of SCHOOL GIRLS; OR, THE AFRICAN MEAN GIRLS PLAY, featuring Denée Benton, Patina Miller, and Jasmine Amy Rogers, directed by Whitney White at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre.
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!
At a time when stories are being challenged, erased, and reimagined in real time, the communities most impacted are often cared for the least, with few industry spaces designed specifically for their support. In 2020, three powerhouse theater artists and Tony Award nominees, Amber Iman, Jocelyn Bioh, and Danielle Brooks, set out to change that. What began as a desire to celebrate Black women working in theater has grown into Black Women on Broadway (BWOB), a thriving community dedicated to mentorship, recognition, wellness, and professional development for Black women working both onstage and behind the scenes.
The 24 Hour Plays revealed the full company for its Nationals intensive in New York and Los Angeles, featuring emerging actors, directors, playwrights, and more culminating in Off-Broadway productions at Classic Stage.
Black Women on Broadway (BWOB) recently held its fifth annual awards celebration, honoring Debra Martin Chase, Whitney White, Alana Raquel Bowers, and Destiny Lilly for their contributions to the theater industry. The event was hosted by BWOB co-founders Danielle Brooks, Amber Iman, and Jocelyn Bioh.
Manhattan Theatre Club will produce a new production of Clifford Odets’ landmark 1935 drama Awake and Sing!, led by Danny Burstein, Jessica Hecht, and Jeremy Shamos. Learn more here!
You can now get a look inside Manhattan Theatre Club's 2026 Spring Gala. The event was hosted by Amber Ruffn, and honored the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.
Manhattan Theatre Club's 2026 Spring Gala took place on Monday, May 18 at Cipriani 42nd Street, honoring the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and hosted by Amber Ruffin. Check out photos here!
Obie Award-winning Harlem9 announced six playwrights, including Kermit Frazier, Kristen Adele Calhoun, and Naomi Lorrain, for 48HOURS IN…HARLEM®, marking 15 years of the festival with a tribute to the late Woodie King Jr.
Nightwood Theatre has revealed its 2026–2027 season, including the Canadian premiere of Jaja's African Hair Braiding, the return of its Groundswell Festival, and more.
Just months ago, Whitney White was celebrating the opening of her third Broadway project. Liberation was loved by both critics and audiences when it transferred to the James Earl Jones Theatre following its triumphant run off-Broadway last season. Watch in this interview as she chats more about her Liberation experience and looks ahead to her upcoming projects.
Black Women on Broadway announced its 2026 honorees, recognizing the contributions of Black women to the Broadway community. Learn more about the honorees here!
For Broadway fans, the highlight of every spring is the announcement of the Tony Award nominations—the most prestigious recognition in American theatre. But how are Tony nominees chosen, and who gets to decide? In this guide, we break down the Tony Awards nomination process and reveal how Broadway’s biggest honors are determined.
After a one-year hiatus, HARLEM9 will present 48HOURS IN…HARLEM®, honoring the late Woodie King Jr. and New Federal Theatre, with six new 10-minute plays inspired by NFT's catalog.
Cherry Lane Alternative is relaunching with The Tongues reading series, featuring a staged reading of The Demand of Avarice, written by Matthew McLachlan, directed by David Zayas Jr., and starring Kyra Sedgwick and more.
Soulpepper Theatre announced Paolo Santalucia's inaugural season, featuring 12 plays and concerts including SPRING AWAKENING, JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING, and THE REZ SISTERS, plus new partnerships with Hot Docs and the Toronto Star.
Kalyne Coleman will join the cast of The Listening, a live immersive storytelling experience, running in April at East Village Basement in Manhattan, rotating with role with Morgan Siobhan Green.
**** 'It would be hard to not fall for the charm of Jaja’s African Hair Braiding. A celebration of femalehood, Black culture and community, it’s filled with a vibrant joy and celebration in part thanks to a cast who share a wonderful chemistry. As client Jennifer says, it’s like being at home for the day watching their 12-hour day unfold.'
Lyric Hammersmith Theatre has released production photos ahead of the UK premiere of the Tony Award-winning play Jaja’s African Hair Braiding. Check out the photos here!
