Jacqueline Youm, founder of one of DC’s newest companies, JaYo Théâtre, is from Senegal, the daughter of an International Monetary Fund economist. Watch below as this talented performer, in her striking monologue “Beautiful Burden/Je Suis Noire/I am Black,” describes her shock in first encountering the daily, brutally lived American form of theater of the absurd […]
Archives for July 2020
Review: ACA Radio Reps takes on the challenges of Hamlet
Since art, like life itself, constantly renews itself, new generations of artists arrive on stages, and in studios and publishing houses, whether we are ready for them or not. They are not deterred by inhospitable times, such as depressions (viz Paul Robeson, Orson Wells) or World Wars (viz. Ernest Hemmingway, Norman Mailer). We have not had […]
John R. Lewis’ last remarks in support of Black Lives Matter marchers
“Without the arts, without music, without dance, without drama, without photography, the civil rights movement would have been like a bird without wings.” – John Lewis The Honorable John Lewis wrote his last remarks to the nation to be published posthumously upon the day of his funeral in Atlanta, Georgia on July 30, 2020. Originally […]
Quotidian Theatre’s closing its warehouse with a huge sale. Auction starts Aug 3
One distinction of a Quotidian Theatre production has always been its set pieces and props, expertly chosen and carefully placed in its single set rooms adding airs of authenticity to such notable productions as Conor McPherson’s The Veil and Chekhov’s Lady with the Little Dog. Leaving the theatre, if you think of that perfect garden seat […]
Review: Romeo and Juliet and Man and Superman, ACA Radio Reps’ theatre for the ears
Adjusting to the changed circumstances brought on by COVID 19, Shakespeare Theatre’s Academy for Classical Acting has moved its 2020 graduating class performances to online audio/radio. In this situation, telling the story primarily by vocal production and sound effects becomes the main thing. Classical theater received only aurally takes some getting used to. It’s not […]
Live performances of Othello and Twelfth Night at American Shakespeare Center have begun.
While a survey done by Shugoll Research shows that Washingtonians are chary about returning to theater while the coronavirus rages, one company is prepared to put live actors on the stage with a live audience in the seats – now. The American Shakespeare Center, in tiny Staunton, Virginia, will be producing Othello and Twelfth Night […]
It’s tonight! Memorial Celebration of the life and legacy of Victor Shargai
We hope you can tune in to YouTube tonight as the Washington theatre community comes together in loving tribute to Victor Shargai, long-time leader of theatreWashington, and generous friend and benefactor to many artists and theatre companies. A champion of the wide spectrum of work done by Washington area artists, Shargai, who passed away on […]
DCTS recommends. Online viewing starting July 24
Victor Shargai Memorial Celebration Produced by theatreWashington July 27, 8pm Click to watch on YouTube Victor Shargai, generous benefactor, friend and advocate for theatre in the Washington DC area, passed away on December 24, 2019. His husband, Craig Pascal, invites everyone to a virtual Victor Shargai Memorial Celebration to honor the life and legacy of […]
When will DC audiences return? What changes do they support? Shugoll Research revisits its audience survey
A new survey from Shugoll Research shows that area theatergoers are even more reluctant to return to theater in the face of the coronavirus than they were when the survey was conducted last April. The new survey, which Shugoll conducted between June 25 and 30, shows that audiences will come back later than previously thought […]
J. J. Johnson talks about WANNABE, his comic play about growing up Black in a White VA town
J. J. Johnson, who extends his talents as a DC stage actor (recently, Les Deux Noirs: Notes on Notes of A Native Son) into film and and commercial work, now adds playwright to his resumé with the debut of WANNABE. Produced by 4615 Theatre Company, the Zoom performance can be seen starting this Thursday, July […]
Review: Synetic Theater’s The Decameron, Day 10. It’s a wrap!
We have come to the end of Synetic Theater’s series of short videos based on Boccaccio’s classic “in-the-time-of-the-plague” entertainments. Like one of those imported Masterpiece Theatre series, it feels that, tucked into one of those massive houses, is a world of people and their stories. I have come to know the family of characters and […]
Racism within DC area theatres. DCTS Roundtable calls for reckoning
On Thursday, July 16, seven gender diverse artists and leaders in our theatre community gathered for a Roundtable to talk about the barriers that Black women, femmes, and nonbinary folx face in our community, guided by JR Nexus Russ. Watch the full discussion on the DCTS Facebook page. These conversations are not new. Whiteness and White […]
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