Naomi Iizuka

Student Blog: Honoring Specificity First
by Student Blogger: Michael Lakind - Mar 18, 2025

Hello y’all! For the next couple of months, I’m shining a light on one of the coolest parts of UC San Diego’s theatre department. Every spring quarter features a culmination of artistry that brings grads and undergrads together from all theatrical disciplines: the Wagner New Play Festival. The engine that revs the festival to life is the cohort of MFA playwrights. Each of them spends fall and winter quarters working on a piece ahead of its world premiere production in the spring. We have five playwrights this year, so this article is the third installment of a five-part series where I’ll be sitting down for a conversation with each of them. I hope reading these will be half as much fun as I had putting this together.

Student Blog: Finding the Stage, Not Just the Page
by Student Blogger: Michael Lakind - Mar 4, 2025

Hello y’all! For the next couple of months, I’m shining a light on one of the coolest parts of UC San Diego’s theatre department. Every spring quarter features a culmination of artistry that brings grads and undergrads together from all theatrical disciplines: the Wagner New Play Festival. The engine that revs the festival to life is the cohort of MFA playwrights. Each of them spends fall and winter quarters working on a piece ahead of its world premiere production in the spring. We have five playwrights this year, so this article is the second installment of a five-part series where I’ll be sitting down for a conversation with each of them. I hope reading these will be half as much fun as I had putting this together. 

Student Blog: Saying Yes to the Dress
by Student Blogger: Michael Lakind - Feb 25, 2025

Hello y’all! For the next couple of months, I’m shining a light on one of the coolest parts of UC San Diego’s theatre department. Every spring quarter features a culmination of artistry that brings grads and undergrads together from all theatrical disciplines: the Wagner New Play Festival. The engine that revs the festival to life is the cohort of MFA playwrights. Each of them spends fall and winter quarters working on a piece ahead of its world premiere production in the spring. We have five playwrights this year, so this article is the start of a five-part series where I’ll be sitting down for a conversation with each of them. I hope reading these will be half as much fun as I had putting this together. 

Hermitage Greenfield Prize Awarded to Rucyl Mills
by Stephi Wild - Feb 25, 2025

The Hermitage Artist Retreat has selected sound and music artist Rucyl Mills as the winner of the 2025 Hermitage Greenfield Prize. Learn more about Mills and the prize here!

National Alliance For Musical Theatre Reveals 2024/2025 Writers Residency Grant Recipients
by Stephi Wild - Feb 19, 2025

National Alliance for Musical Theatre has announced the NAMT Member Theatre and Writer Recipients for the 2024/2025 Writers Residency Grants, part of the Frank Young Fund for New Musicals.

Manhattan Theatre Club Reveals 2025 Ted Snowdon Reading Series Lineup
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 13, 2025

Manhattan Theatre Club has revealed the lineup for the 2025 Ted Snowdon Reading Series. Performances include How to Draw a Triangle By Jake Brasch, directed by Colm Summers and more. Learn more about the lineup and learn how to purchase tickets.

Milo Cramer's SCHOOL PICTURES Begins Performances At Theater Latté Da February 5
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 5, 2025

Theater Latté Da will present solo show SCHOOL PICTURES, receiving its local debut at Latté Da starting February 5, 2025, now the recipient of a 2025 Obie Award.

​Pioneer Theatre Company Presents Utah Premiere of Newly-Adapted DIAL M FOR MURDER
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 20, 2024

​Pioneer Theatre Company will present Jeffrey Hatcher’s new adaptation of the classic Frederick Knott thriller, Dial M for Murder from January 10-25, 2025.

The National Theatre Conference To Honor Playwright Alex Lin With Stavis Award
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 9, 2024

Alex Lin will be honored with the National Theatre Conference's prestigious Barrie and Bernice Stavis Playwright Award, supported by Jean Bruce Scott and Julie Jensen, presented annually to recognize an outstanding emerging playwright. Learn more!

Olney Theatre Center Funds Three Week-Long Workshops In 24-25
by Stephi Wild - Dec 4, 2024

Olney Theatre Center announced the three collaborative projects it will develop with week-long workshops as part of its Vanguard Arts Fund (VAF) during the 24-25 season.

La Jolla Playhouse Reveals Projects for 2024 DNA New Work Series
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 12, 2024

La Jolla Playhouse has revealed the dates and projects for its 2024 DNA New Work Series, running in the Playhouse’s Rao and Padma Makineni Play Development Center. See full programming and see how to purchase tickets.

Hermitage Announces Playwright Naomi Iizuka as Winner of 2024-2025 Hermitage Major Theater Award
by Blair Ingenthron - Nov 4, 2024

Andy Sandberg, Artistic Director and CEO of the Hermitage Artist Retreat, has announced that California-based playwright Naomi Iizuka has been selected as the fifth recipient of the Hermitage Major Theater Award (HMTA).

Performances Added to RICHARD II at the Magic Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Sep 4, 2024

The Magic Theatre has announced that performances have been added for Richard II by William Shakespeare, translated by Naomi Iizuka, due to popular demand. 

Photos: RICHARD II is Now Playing at the Magic Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Sep 4, 2024

 The Magic Theatre is now presenting Richard II by William Shakespeare, translated by Naomi Iizuka and announce the cast and creative team for this brand new production. Check out photos here!

JAW Festival Of New Plays Line Up Announced!
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 3, 2024

Discover the exciting lineup for the JAW Festival of New Plays, featuring innovative works from emerging playwrights.

Children's Theatre Company Names Tyler Susan Jennings And Davon Cochran As Performing Apprentices
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 20, 2024

Children's Theatre Company will welcome Tyler Susan Jennings and Davon Cochran as performing apprentices for the 2024-2025 season, highlighting their upcoming roles and contributions to the theater.

Play On Shakespeare Reveals Summer 2024 Season
by Stephi Wild - Jun 4, 2024

Play On Shakespeare has announced their Summer 2024 Season. Learn more about the full lineup here!

The Magic Theatre and Campo Santo Announce the World Premiere of GARUDA'S WING
by A.A. Cristi - May 14, 2024

Experience the world premiere of GARUDA’S WING, a groundbreaking performance brought to you by MAGIC THEATRE and CAMPO SANTO. Catch the latest in innovative theatre in San Francisco.

Beth Hyland to Receive Williamstown Theatre Festival's L. Arnold Weissberger New Play Award
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 28, 2024

Williamstown Theatre Festival has named Beth Hyland as the recipient of the 2024 L. Arnold Weissberger New Play Award for her play SYLVIA SYLVIA SYLVIA. Learn more about Hyland!

Everything Coming to Max in April
by Michael Major - Mar 22, 2024

Stream The Debut Of HBO Original Limited Series “The Sympathizer,” Max Original Unscripted Series “Conan O’Brien Must Go,” HBO Original Comedy Special “Alex Edelman: Just For Us,” HBO Original Documentary Series “The Jinx – Part Two” And “The Synanon Fix,” HBO Original Documentaries “Brandy Hellville & The Cult Of Fast Fashion” and more.