Jason Najjoum

Industry Pro Newsletter: NEA Report Reveals State Arts Trends, Toronto Plans Major Investments

From Toronto’s ambitious 10-year investment plan to the Garden Theatre’s abrupt closure in Florida, communities are focusing on accessibility and resilience. The NEA’s latest report sheds light on U.S. arts participation trends, while major honors like the National Medal of Arts celebrate individual contributions.

Imagination Stage Reveals New Leadership

Imagination Stage Board President, Dr. Kim W. Barnette proudly announces the selection of Joanne Seelig Lamparter as Chief Artistic Programming Officer of Imagination Stage, the nationally-prominent regional theatre and positive youth development powerhouse.

A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD to be Presented At Imagination Stage This Holiday Season

Imagination Stage will present 'A Year with Frog and Toad' as part of its 'Greatest Hits' season. Don't miss this Tony-award winning musical for young audiences.

HE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR SHOW Comes to Imagination Stage Next Month

 Imagination Stage, the metro DC region’s largest professional theatre for young audiences and leader in positive youth development through the arts, starts its ‘Greatest Hits' season with the return of The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show, running September 22-October 22. 

Imagination Stage Founding Artistic Director Janet Stanford to Depart in 2024

Imagination Stage's founding artistic director, Janet Stanford, has announced her departure in 2024 after two decades of artistic leadership. Learn more about her impactful contributions to the renowned theater company and what her departure means for its future.

Imagination Stage Reveals 23-24 Season

​​​​​​​Imagination Stage, the metro DC region's largest professional theatre dedicated to young audiences, announces our six shows for 2023-2024–a “greatest hits” season celebrating 20 years in our beautiful theatre arts center in downtown Bethesda.

Imagination Stage Premieres THE HULA-HOOPIN' QUEEN

Imagination Stage, the metro DC region's largest professional theatre for children, debuts its latest new play commission, The Hula-Hoopin' Queen, adapted for the stage by Gloria Bond Clunie from the book by Thelma Lynne Godin, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton. Angelisa Gillyard directs.

Imagination Stage to Present New Mo Willems Musical for the Holidays

Imagination Stage, the metro DC region's largest professional theatre for children, will welcome audiences celebrating Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Kwanza, Christmas, and New Years to the omni-festive musical Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: the Rock Experience, based on Mo Willems' best-selling 2009 picture book Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed. The show runs November 16 - January 8 and is best for ages 4+.

Imagination Stage Announces Six Shows for 2022-2023

Imagination Stage™, the metro DC region’s largest professional theatre for young audiences, announced its six shows for 2022-2023, which include two newly-commissioned world premieres, two musicals based on popular books, and two favorites especially for the very youngest theatre-goers. 

Imagination Stage Adds Jason Najjoum and Triza Cox to Leadership Team

Imagination Stage Board President Patrick O'Neil and President-Elect Kim W. Barnette, PhD announced today that transformational arts leader Jason Najjoum will be Imagination Stage's new Managing Director beginning April 4, 2022. Najjoum's hiring concludes a transition that will see him and Founding Artistic Director Janet Stanford co-leading the 42-year old organization into a post-COVID future.

Synetic Theater Welcomes New Staff And Board Members And Begins The Search For A New Managing Director

Synetic Theater, a center for American Physical Theater, has announced the addition of two pivotal advisors Amy Wratchford (Management Advisor) and Dr. Lisa Greenhill (DEI Advisor) plus five new members to the Board of Directors.

Synetic Theater Names New Managing Director

Synetic Theater announces the hiring of Jason Najjoum as Managing Director.

Natalie Weiss Hosts Carner & Gregor's 2014 BARELY LEGAL Concert at 54 Below Tonight

Musical theater writing team Sam Carner and Derek Gregor's 6th Annual 'Barely Legal Show-Tune Extravaganza' is set for tonight! The annual contest rewards college student performers with the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend week-long intensive workshops led by Broadway stars, casting directors, agents, actors and more, culminating in concerts tonight, August 21 at 7:00pm and 9:30pm at New York's premier cabaret venue 54 Below, 254 W 54th St.

Tituss Burgess & More Join Carner and Gregor's 6th Annual BARELY LEGAL SHOW-TUNE EXTRAVAGANZA at 54 Below Lineup

Tituss Burgess (The Little Mermaid, Jersey Boys), Eric Michael Krop (Godspell), "Barely Legal" alum Danielle Wade (Winner "Over the Rainbow Canada," Dorothy in Wizard of Oz North American tour) and host Natalie Weiss (Les Miserables, Everyday Rapture, "American Idol") join the selected cast of musical theater writing team Sam Carner and Derek Gregor's 6th Annual "Barely Legal Show-Tune Extravaganza" in performance on Thursday, August 21 at 7:00pm and 9:30pm at New York's premier cabaret venue 54 Below, 254 W 54th St. The annual "Barely Legal" program invites a select group of college student performers with the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend week-long intensive workshops led by Broadway stars, casting directors, agents, actors and more, culminating in concerts at 54 Below.

Brian Swasey Named Managing Director of NY Theatre Barn

The Board of Directors of New York Theatre Barn (The Barn), the only 501(c)(3) non-profit theatre company whose sole mission is "to give theatre a chance," announced today that Brian Swasey has been appointed as its Managing Director, effective immediately. Swasey will work alongside Joe Barros, founder and Artistic Director of the company. Swasey's primary responsibility will be to manage business operations of the company. In addition, he will assist Barros in programming and producing The Barn's presentations.

Natalie Weiss to Host Carner & Gregor's 2014 BARELY LEGAL Concert at 54 Below; Cast Announced!

The final selected cast of musical theater writing team Sam Carner and Derek Gregor's 6th Annual "Barely Legal Show-Tune Extravaganza" were announced today.

Four Choreographers Set New Song by Joel B. New at The Choreography Lab, 7/22

The July installment of New York Theatre Barn's Choreography Lab will take place on Tuesday, July 22, 2014 at 6pm at ART/NY's Spaces @ 520.

HARD TIMES Extends Through 2/16

After receiving critical acclaim and overwhelming demand by sold out New York audiences, Larry Kirwan's Stephen Foster musical 'Hard Times' will extend performances thru February 16th at the the cell, A Twenty First Century Salon (Founding Artistic Director, Nancy Manocherian) (338 West 23rd Street). The production will play the following ten additional performances: Wednesdays thru Saturdays 2/5-8 and 2/12-15 at 8pm; Sundays 2/9 and 2/16 at 3pm.

Photo Flash: First Look at Off-Broadway's HARD TIMES

Hard Times the new Stephen Foster musical will serve up an Irish Wake in honor of the show's opening Off Broadway on January 13th---the 150th Anniversary of Foster's death. At a post-performance party all audience and cast members will share shots of Irish Whiskey to salute the acclaimed 'father of American music', and pre-eminent 19th century songwriter. Scroll down for a first look at the cast in action!

AUDIO: Three New Songs from Larry Kirwan's Stephen Foster Musical HARD TIMES Released

Having received critical and popular acclaim last season, Larry Kirwan's Stephen Foster musical 'Hard Times' will return to Off Broadway at thethe cell, A Twenty First Century Salon (Founding Artistic Director, Nancy Manocherian), (338 West 23rd Street), opening Monday, January 13th (7PM) --- to commemorate the 150 anniversary of Mr. Foster's death. Directed by Kira Simring, choreographed by Joe Barros and produced by the cell, Hard Times will start preview performances on Thursday, January 9th (8PM).