‘Tracy Jones’ is moving, funny at Island City Stage
Photo by Matthew Tippins Cast members Sara Grant, Irene Adjan, and Niki Fridh act out a comical scene from Island City Stage’s production of Tracy Jones. By AARON KRAUSE Comedy can be an effective tool for playwrights to deliver messages to audiences. Indeed, once we start at least...
Critics honor playwrights for their work
Anderson By AARON KRAUSE Playwright Christina Anderson brought home a major national award for her play, the ripple, the wave that carried me home. Anderson was one of six playwrights vying for the national honor. A group of critics annually presents the award to the best plays...
‘Refuge’ shines at Theatre Lab as rolling world premiere continues
Photo by Morgan Sophia Photography Performers tell the story using a variety of techniques. By AARON KRAUSE “I may be a wolf but I’m afraid all the time,” the wild animal tells us in the compelling new play, Refuge. He lives in “a state of fear even in my...
2023 finalists announced for annual new play award
Six playwrights are vying for a national theater award which a group of critics presents annually to the best plays that premiere professionally outside of New York. The top award carries a $25,000 prize and two citations carry a value of $7,500 each. The presentation will take place...
Critics group bestows thousands of dollars in new play awards
A national theater critics organization has presented more than $40,000 in awards to four playwrights to recognize their prestigious accomplishments. The American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA) presented Chiara Atik with the Harold and Mimi Steinberg/American Theatre Critics Association New Play Award for one of her plays, Poor Clare. The...
Mentorship program seeks young LGBTQIA+ arts writers
LGBTQIA+ arts writers will work with leading theater critics to improve their craft and publish their work under a mentorship program run by a professional theater critics organization. The year-long program, which the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA) will run, will begin in September 2022. It will include...
Her Honor, Jayne Byrne receives top national play award
By AARON KRAUSE Nicole Brooks describes herself as a playwright who “likes to shove a lot of words into their text.” But recently, Brooks found herself at a loss for words. That’s because Brooks was giving her acceptance speech after winning the 2021 Harold and Mimi Steinberg/American Theatre...
Perhaps you’ve never heard of this ‘Cowboy.’
Photo courtesy of Christa Ingraham Theater artist Layon Gray directs and stars as deputy U.S. marshal Bass Reeves in M Ensemble’s Cowboy. By AARON KRAUSE If I don’t tell the stories, who will? It’s not just a rhetorical question but an attitude through which multi award-winning theater artist Layon...
Date is set for Tony Awards
Following a 15-month delay, the Broadway League and American Theatre Wing have announced a date for the 74th annual Tony Awards. The celebration will take place on Sunday, Sept. 26 in a ceremony lasting four hours, spread across two separate televised events. Audiences will learn the winners for a...
Five plays are vying for top national award
Five play finalists are in the running for a national prize which a theater critics group awards annually. Specifically, the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA) has narrowed down to five its list of potential winners of the Harold and Mimi Steinberg/American Theatre Critics Association New Play Award. The...
