American Theatre Wing Relaunches DOWNSTAGE CENTER

The American Theatre Wing (Theodore S. Chapin, Chairman, Board of Trustees; Heather Hitchens, Executive Director) has relaunched its popular podcast series, Downstage Center, with an all new format. The new season of Downstage Center features lively 30-minute discussions between two prominent members of the theater community. The first podcast of the season, featuring Ron Raines being interviewed by his Follies co-star Elaine Paige, is now available for steaming and downloading at www.AmericanTheatreWing.org, as well as via iTunes.

Upcoming episodes will include Lisa Emery being interviewed by her Relatively Speaking costar Marlo Thomas (posting January 18, 2012), Book of Mormon star Andrew Rannells being interviewed by NY1’s Frank DiLella (posting February 1, 2012), Venus in Fur star Nina Arianda being interviewed by NY1’s Frank DiLella (posting February 15, 2012), and Adam Pascal being interviewed by his Memphis costar Montego Glover posting February 29, 2012).

The American Theatre Wing (Theodore S. Chapin, Chairman of the Board of Trustees; Heather Hitchens, Executive Director) is best known as the creator of the Antoinette Perry “Tony” Awards®, which it presents annually with The Broadway League. In addition to the media programs “Downstage Center,” “In The Wings,” “Working in the Theatre,” and a host of other online resources, The Wing sponsors many activities, all dedicated to recognizing excellence and supporting education in theatre. These programs include the Theatre Intern Group, a career development program for young professionals; SpringboardNYC, a two-week college-to-career boot camp for young performers moving to NYC; and the Jonathan Larson® Grants, given annually to honor emerging composers, lyricists and book writers. Visitors to americantheatrewing.org can listen to, watch or download from ATW’s extensive media collection, and learn more about all of its programming for students, aspiring and working professionals, and audiences who want to learn more about the making of theatre.

For more information about all of the American Theatre Wing programs, go to americantheatrewing.org. ATW can be followed on Facebook.com/TheAmericanTheatreWing and Twitter.com/TheWing and additional, unique video can be found at YouTube.com/AmericanTheatreWing .