News

Odds & Ends: Kristin Chenoweth Creates New MFA Program at Oklahoma City University

Source: Broadway.com | Posted: September 11 2020 @ 3:05 pm

Here's a quick roundup of stories you might have missed recently.

Get Schooled By Tony Winner Kristin Chenoweth
Tony winner Kristin Chenoweth has partnered with her alma mater Oklahoma City University to co-found a new Master of Fine Arts program. Focusing specifically on screen acting, the the two-year intensive will begin January 2021. The first year, students will be living in Los Angeles at OCU's School of Theatre-Los Angeles location with courses delivered by OCU faculty and guest industry practitioners. Students will spend the second year in London, in partnership with the U.K.’s Academy of Live & Recorded Arts. The program will feature 13 courses (with occasional instruction by Chenoweth), which will provide its students with industry internship placement, hands-on guidance from agents and seminars by development directors from leading production companies. To find out more, look here.

The Original Cast of Hairspray to Reunite at Miscast20
You can't stop the beat! Theater fans gearing up to watch Miscast20 this weekend are in for a special surprise. The previously announced virtual gala will take place on September 13 at 8PM ET on MCC Theater’s YouTube channel. Hairspray original cast members Laura Bell Bundy, Kerry Butler, Harvey Fierstein, Jenn Gambatese …

Watch Audra McDonald Discuss Black Theatre United & Playing Aretha Franklin's Mother in Respect

Source: Broadway.com | Posted: September 11 2020 @ 2:15 pm

Six-time Tony winner Audra McDonald appeared on CBS This Morning on September 11 to discuss being a founding member of Black Theatre United (BTU), the coalition that aims to combat systemic racism within the theater industry. "We thought let's bring our community together and start to raise awareness,'" she said of the organization's inception. BTU previously announced a partnership with Fair Count; the two organizations have launched #Only1ofme, a new campaign featuring artists of color to inspire completion of the Census in hard-to-count populations. "This is a moment in history where it's all staring us in the face," McDonald also revealed her favorite Aretha Franklin song. As previously reported, she will play the music legend's mother in Respect. Watch the interview below!

Broadway.com #LiveatFive: Home Edition with Matt Densky of Fully Committed

Source: Broadway.com | Posted: September 11 2020 @ 1:07 pm

Matt Densky stops by to chat about starring in the Equity-approved production of Fully Committed at the Music Theater of Connecticut. 

How To Remake American Theater In The Wake Of COVID? Five New York Times Critics Offer Their Ideas

Source: ArtsJournal.com | Posted: September 11 2020 @ 12:01 pm

“Things clearly had to change — and with the enforced pause of the pandemic, the opportunity has now arrived in the nick of time. If ever there was a need, and a moment, to fix the theater, this is it. So for the six-month anniversary of the shutdown, The New York Times asked its theater […]

20 Stage Professionals Weigh In On How To ‘Revolutionize’ American Theater

Source: ArtsJournal.com | Posted: September 11 2020 @ 12:00 pm

“Here, six months after most stages went dark, 20 theater figures — many far from the heart of the commercial sector — offer their own suggestions.” – The New York Times