Joseph Stern

Full Lineup Revealed For BAM's 2024 Benefit

An all-female and trans lineup will perform on May 1 as BAM honors two iconic trailblazers; the multi-hyphenate artist, Solange Knowles, and legendary arts producer and advocate, Mikki Shepard, for their indelible influence, inspiration, and contributions to the performing arts. 

Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Reveals 2023 Award Recipients

The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle has revealed the award recipients for 2023. See who the winners are and learn more about the awards!

SCRAPS Now Available For Viewing On YouTube

The Matrix Theatre Company's award-winning production of Scraps by Geraldine Inoa is now available for viewing on the company's Youtube page.

Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan Launches CINEMATTERS: NY Social Justice Film Festival In January

The Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan announces the launch of a brand-new film festival next month: Cinematters: NY Social Justice Film Festival, which will present impactful films to engage the community toward a more democratic, inclusive, and just society. The festival, which will run January 16-20, 2020, explores various themes of inequality, injustice, advocacy and social responsibility, and sheds a light on timely social issues, including racial discrimination, LGTBQIA rights, environmental and water justice, immigrant rights and religious intolerance.

BWW Review: SCRAPS Examines the Aftermath of Racially-Motivated Violence on Those Left Behind

The opening prologue of SCRAPS, masterfully performed by Tyrin Niles as Jean-Baptiste Delacroix sitting on the front stoop of his Brooklyn brownstone, captured my attention and took me inside his close-knit neighborhood three months after the fatal shooting of black teenager by a white police officer. The ramifications of that event, told through a provocative mash up of poetry, realism and expressionism, reverberated among his friends, lover, and most importantly, his young son, the real focus of the West Coast premiere of this daring new play, written by Geraldine Inoa and directed with attention-grabbing flair by 2019 Obie Award winner Stevie Walker-Webb.

Geraldine Inoa's SCRAPS to Make West Coast Premiere

What we always hear: "Black Male Shot by White Police Officer." What we never see - how loved ones struggle to cope in the aftermath.The Matrix Theatre Company presents theWest Coast premiere of a daring new play from a significant emerging voice in theater. Scraps, written by Geraldine Inoa and directed by 2019 Obie Award winner Stevie Walker-Webb, opens at the Matrix Theatre onJuly 6, with previews beginning June 27. 

Matrix Production Of THE MOUNTAINTOP Heads For Memphis For 50th Anniversary Of MLK Assassination

Internationally acclaimed playwright Katori Hall, currently artistic director of the Hattiloo Theatre in Memhis, TN, will remount L.A.'s Matrix Theatre production of her play, The Mountaintop, at Memphis's Orpheum Theatre in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Obie award-winner Roger Guenveur Smith, who directed the Matrix production, will again be at the helm, with Larry Bates and Danielle Mone Truitt reprising their Matrix roles. Award-winning Matrix set designer John Iacovelli will design the set.

Do These Clues Suggest a WILL & GRACE Full Season Reunion?

An article recently featured in Slate.com suggests that the hilarious video may be only the tip of the iceberg, and that a full season of the show may be in the works. The site bases their theory on three clues that have recently emerged.

BWW Review: THE MOUNTAINTOP Imagines Meeting the Real Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

How often have you wondered what it would be like to go back in time and talk to an historical icon? Katori Hall's THE MOUNTAINTOP is a gripping and often humorous re-imagining of events the night before the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. that won London's 2010 Olivier Award for best new play. It's one of the best ways imaginable to honor Dr. King, Black History Month and the Black Lives Matter movement by experiencing its Los Angeles premiere at the Matrix Theatre, directed by Obie Award-winner Roger Guenveur Smith and starring Larry Bates and Danielle Truitt. I cannot imagine any two actors more suited to step into the shoes of these two characters, having worked together in a previous production of the play at San Diego Rep, also directed by Smith.

L.A. Premiere of THE MOUNTAINTOP Begins in February

The Matrix Theatre Company honors Black History Month with the Los Angeles premiere of The Mountaintop, directed by Obie Award-winner Roger Guenveur Smith and starring Larry Bates and Danielle Mone Truitt. Recipient of London's 2010 Olivier Award, Katori Hall's gripping and often humorous re-imagining of events the night before the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. takes on new meaning with the advent of the Black Lives Matter movement. The Mountaintop opens at the Matrix Theatre on February 6, with previews beginning January 28. (Scroll all the way down to view links to high resolution photos.)

Actors' Equity Releases Statement Re: Equity Waiver Lawsuit, Asner vs. Actors' Equity

Actors' Equity Releases Statement Re: Equity Waiver Lawsuit, Asner vs. Actors' Equity

Actors' Equity Releases Statement on Minimum Wage Lawsuit

As BroadwayWorld reported this weekend, members of the Los Angeles theatrical community have filed a lawsuit today against Actors' Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers, challenging the Union's decision to eliminate its 25-year-old waiver of jurisdiction over small 99-seat theaters, a program popularly known as Equity Waiver.

Breaking News: Members of Actors' Equity File Lawsuit Against Union Over LA Small Theater Waivers

This just in from actors and other members of the Los Angeles theatrical community who filed a lawsuit today against Actors' Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers. The lawsuit challenges the Union's decision to eliminate its 25-year-old waiver of jurisdiction over small 99-seat theaters, a program popularly known as Equity Waiver. Plaintiffs claim that the Union's decision to end Equity Waiver will unfairly destroy small theater in Los Angeles and deprive thousands of actors of opportunities to collaborate on creative theatrical projects.

SCOTTSBORO BOYS, Mary Bridget Davies and More Among LA Drama Critics Circle's 2013 Nominees; Ceremony Set for 3/17

The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle has announced its 2013 nominations and special awards for excellence in Los Angeles, Orange County and Ventura County theatre. The 45th Annual Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards ceremony will take place on Monday, March 17, 2014 at The Colony Theatre, located at 555 N. Third Street in Burbank.

Photo Flash: First Look at Matrix Theatre's WE ARE PROUD TO PRESENT..., Opening Tonight

When a group of actors gathers to give a presentation on a distant genocide, they realize that summaries are not enough. In their attempt to delve into history, they struggle with stereotype, fear and their own personal histories, uncovering the potential for brutality in all of us. Joseph Stern and The Matrix Theatre Company present the West Coast premiere of a brave, chilling and very funny new work by Jackie Sibblies Drury. 'We Are Proud to Present a Presentation About the Herero of Namibia, Formerly Known as South-West Africa, From the German Sudwestafrika, Between the Years 1884-1915' opens today, June 8. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Matrix Theatre Presents WE ARE PROUD TO PRESENT A PRESENTATION ABOUT THE HERERO OF NAMIBIA..., Beginning 6/8

When a group of actors gathers to give a presentation on a distant genocide, they realize that summaries are not enough. In their attempt to delve into history, they struggle with stereotype, fear and their own personal histories, uncovering the potential for brutality in all of us. Joseph Stern and The Matrix Theatre Company present the West Coast premiere of a brave, chilling and very funny new work by Jackie Sibblies Drury."We Are Proud to Present a Presentation About the Herero of Namibia, Formerly Known as South-West Africa, From the German Sudwestafrika, Between the Years 1884-1915" opens on June 8.

Photo Flash: 2012 LA Stage Alliance Ovation Awards - Arrivals!

The LA Stage Alliance Ovation Awards, celebrating theatrical excellence and achievement during the 2012 season, were presented last night, November 12, at the Los Angeles Theatre in downtown Los Angeles. Scroll below for photos of the arrivals, featuring hosts Jane Kaczmarek and Herbert Siguenza, the honorees and more!

Anne Gee Byrd Stars in THE SAVANNAH DISPUTATION at Colony Theatre, Now thru 7/8

The Colony Theatre presents the first production of its "Season of Premieres" with the Los Angeles Premiere of THE SAVANNAH DISPUTATION, written by Evan Smith and directed by award-winning Cameron Watson, the show stars three-time Los Angeles Drama Critics Award-winning actress Anne Gee Byrd. THE SAVANNAH DISPUTATION opens tonight, June 16 at 8:00pm and continues through Sunday, July 8 at The Colony Theatre, 555 North Third Street (at Cypress) adjacent to the Burbank Town Center.

Anne Gee Byrd Stars in THE SAVANNAH DISPUTATION Colony Theatre LA Premiere, 6/16-7/8

The Colony Theatre presents the first production of its "Season of Premieres" with the Los Angeles Premiere of THE SAVANNAH DISPUTATION, written by Evan Smith and directed by award-winning Cameron Watson and will star three-time Los Angeles Drama Critics Award-winning actress Anne Gee Byrd.

Matrix Theatre Company Presents ALL MY SONS, Opens 10/22

A multi-ethnic production sheds new light on Arthur Miller's powerful All My Sons, with previews beginning October 13 and the opening set for October 22 at the Matrix Theatre.