J.E. Franklin

New Federal Theatre to Present TELLING TALES OUT OF SCHOOL Beginning Next Month

Four women writers of the Harlem Renaissance meet in 'Telling Tales Out of School' by Wesley Brown, directed by Woodie King, Jr. at Castillo Theatre/ASP. The play offers a unique perspective on the Harlem Renaissance by providing a character study of four of its most-noted female prime movers. Check out event information here!

New Federal Theatre to Hold 53rd Anniversary Celebration Next Month at Edison Ballroom

NEW FEDERAL THEATRE will hold its 53rd Anniversary Celebration on October 2 at Edison Ballroom, honoring Woodie King, Jr., Gabrielle Kurlander, and Sade Lythcott. The gala is chaired by Kenny Leon and Lynn Whitfield.

New Federal Theatre To Hold 53rd Anniversary Celebration in October

Woodie King, Jr.'s New Federal Theatre (NFT), led by Producing Artistic Director Elizabeth Van Dyke, will hold a 53rd Anniversary Celebration October 2, 2023 at Edison Ballroom, 240 West 47th Street.  

New Federal Theatre In Association With ASP Presents A Staged-Reading Of P.J. Gibson's LONG TIME SINCE YESTERDAY

New Federal Theatre (NFT), Elizabeth Van Dyke, Producing Artistic Director, in association with ASP/Castillo Theatre, will present a reading oof Long Time Since by P.J. Gibson, to benefit the Classix Collective. The performance will take place on June 27th at 7pm at Castillo Theatre (543 W. 42nd Street, New York, New York 10036).

New Federal Theatre to Present TELLING TALES OUT OF SCHOOL in May

New Federal Theatre will present 'Telling Tales Out of School,' a new play by Wesley Brown, from May 2 to 7 as a work in progress at Castillo Theatre/ASP.

Woodie King Jr.'s New Federal Theatre Announces World Premiere of GONG LUM'S LEGACY

Woodie King Jr.’s New Federal Theatre in association with The Peccadillo Theater Company will present the World Premiere of Gong Lum’s Legacy by Charles L. White.

Fred Gallo, Irene Gandy, Beverly Jenkins & New Federal Theatre Will Receive 2020 Tony Honors

The Tony Awards Administration Committee has announced that they will present the 2020 Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre to four outstanding contributors to the Broadway industry - Fred Gallo, President of PRG Scenic Technologies; Broadway press agent Irene Gandy; stage manager Beverly Jenkins and New Federal Theatre, Woodie King, Jr. Founder.

Woodie King, Jr. To Retire June 30 As Head Of New Federal Theatre

Woodie King, Jr., Founder and Producing Director of New Federal Theatre (NFT), will retire from leadership of the famed theater company on June 30, 2021, handing the baton to NFT's newly appointed Artistic Director, Elizabeth Van Dyke.

Debbie Allen, Phylicia Rashad and More Announced as Special Guests for New Federal Theatre Gala

At New Federal Theatre's 50th Anniversary Gala Sunday January 17, special guests will include Debbie Allen, Trazana Beverly, Mya Carter, Patrice Johnson Cevannes, Debbi Blackwell Cook, D.K. Dyson, Joseph Edwards, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Ted Lange, Pauletta Washington, Kevin Maynor, S. Epatha Merskerson, Phylicia Rashad and more.

DeWanda Wise and Alano Miller Join Roster of Stars as Co-Hosts of New Federal Theatre Gala

DeWanda Wise, star of the Netflix series 'She'd Gotta Have It,' and her husband, Alano Miller, best known for the WGN America drama series 'Underground,' will join Ted Lange as co-hosts of New Federal Theatre's '50th Anniversary Virtual Gala' January 17, 2021 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.  

BWW Exclusive: Woodie King Jr. Discusses the Past, Present and Future of New Federal Theatre

Woodie King Jr., founder of New Federal Theatre has penned an article exclusively for BroadwayWorld, discussing New Federal Theatre's past, present and more.

New Federal Theatre Has Dedicated Its November Readings Series To Ntozake Shange

Woodie King's New Federal Theatre has dedicated its November Readings Series to the memory of the late playwright Ntozake Shange, who died October 27.  The series, now in progress, has been retitled 'Ntozake Shange November Reading Series 2018.'  It runs from November 8 to 18, with readings of eight plays at Castillo Theatre, 543 W 42nd Street. 

Woodie King Jr.'s New Federal Theatre Sets November Readings Series

From November 8 to 18, Woodie King Jr.'s New Federal Theatre will present 'The November Readings Series,' with readings of eight plays at Castillo Theatre, 543 W 42nd Street.  This series is devoted to brilliant one- and two-character plays, a dramatic form that most theaters neglect.  It will be used to develop African-American writers and to select plays that New Federal Theatre may present as full productions in its 2019-20 season.  The lineup includes works by Trevor Rhone, Howard Craft, Edgar Nkosi White, J.E. Franklin, Ivy Omere, Larry Muhammad, Richie McCall and Reginald T. Jackson.  Suggested donation is $10 and tickets can be purchased at www.castillo.org. The box office number is 212-941-1234.  For complete info, visit:  www.newfederaltheatre.org.

Brenda Braxton, N'Kenge, and More to Headline Amas Musical Theatre's Gala

Amas Musical Theatre (Donna Trinkoff, Artistic Producer), New York City's award-winning pioneer in diversity and multi-ethnic casting in the performing arts since 1968, has announced a starry line-up of talent that will be on hand to celebrate the company's 49th Anniversary Gala Benefit honoring Broadway casting director, producer and director Jay Binder, Tony-nominated composer and lyricist Micki Grant and Leonid Poretsky, MD, a leading endocrinologist and founder of the Friedman Transgender Health & Wellness Program at Lenox Hill Hospital on Monday, April 2.

Amas Musical Theatre to Honor Jay Binder, Micki Grant & Leonid Poretsky, MD at Spring Benefit Concert

Amas Musical Theatre (Donna Trinkoff, Artistic Producer), New York City's award-winning pioneer in diversity and multi-ethnic casting in the performing arts since 1968, will celebrate its 49th Anniversary at its annual Gala Benefit on Monday, April 2, 2018 at the Baruch Performing Arts Center (East 25th Street between Lexington and 3rd Avenues). Honorary Chair for the event is Tony Award-nominated actor/singer and 2016 Rosie Award-winner Norm Lewis. Two-time Tony Award-nominee Brad Oscar will be Master of Ceremonies for the evening.

Herb Newsome Returns to United Solo with BREAK IT DOWN

Break It Down, written and performed by Herb Newsome is a multimedia show that tells the story of the early days of Hip Hop through a live performance of the four elements: DJing, Emceeing, B-Boying and Graffiti Art. Explore the history behind the music set in the Bronx, NY, during a time where urban decay and gang culture inspired a people to create their own form of expression. Playing 10 Characters using music, dance, video, graffiti, and rhyming, the audience will be taken on a journey through the world of Hip Hop.

Marjorie Moon Joins New Federal Theatre as Administrative Consultant

???????Marjorie Moon, Executive Director Emeritus of Brooklyn's esteemed Billie Holiday Theatre, has joined the team of Woodie King, Jr.'s New Federal Theatre (www.newfederaltheatre.com) as Administrative Consultant.  

Douglas Turner Ward & Woodie King, Jr. Honored in Sidewalk Ceremony Today Theatre 80 St. Marks

Today, November 16 at 4:30 PM, a Sidewalk Signing and Honors Ceremony will be held onstage at Theater 80 St. Marks, 80 St. Marks Place.

Douglas Turner Ward & Woodie King, Jr. to Be Honored in Sidewalk Ceremony at Theatre 80 St. Marks

On Wednesday, November 16 at 4:30 PM, a Sidewalk Signing and Honors Ceremony will be held onstage at Theater 80 St. Marks, 80 St. Marks Place. 

Historic New Federal Theatre Training Workshops Move Uptown to Dwyer Cultural Center

The historic Theatre Training Workshops of Woodie King, Jr.'s New Federal Theatre will move uptown next month to Dwyer Cultural Center at 258 St. Nicholas Ave. (at 123rd Street).  They were previously held in spaces adjoining the theater's offices at 292 Henry Street.  The workshops have been a fertile training ground for leading African-American playwrights and actors.