All stories by Makeda Easter on BroadwayStars

Wednesday, June 16, 2021

For these 5 L.A. community groups, a $50-million windfall from MacKenzie Scott by Makeda Easter

The billionaire philanthropist donated $2.7 billion to 286 arts, educational and social justice organizations. Here are some of the SoCal recipients.

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 09:28PM
Wednesday, May 19, 2021

How Shakespeare helps this theater teacher empower young artists from South L.A. by Makeda Easter

Melanie Andrews is the artistic director of Inner City Shakespeare, a growing network for Black and Latino performers to make it in entertainment.

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 08:55PM
Thursday, May 6, 2021

For artists of color, a new residency creates a pipeline to leadership by Makeda Easter

Cornerstone in L.A. and Oregon Shakespeare Festival pair up with BIPOC artists to launch the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation program.

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 11:19AM
Saturday, May 1, 2021

For L.A. dance studios, reopening doesn't yet pay the bills. But there's hope by Makeda Easter

It's where pros train for music videos, and where amateurs go for a creative outlet. The pandemic knocked them down, but dance studios aren't giving up.

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 07:38AM
Friday, March 12, 2021

'Hamilton' cookie portraits? See how healthcare workers make art to cope with COVID-19 by Makeda Easter

We asked readers working in healthcare to send us art they've made in the pandemic. See their paintings, hyper-real dollhouse furniture, toast art, cookie decorating and more.

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 07:45PM
Wednesday, March 10, 2021

L.A. Opera launches an award for gifted singers. Five winners split $50,000 by Makeda Easter

Originally meant for one or two outstanding singers, the inaugural Eva and Marc Stern Award will go to five opera singers facing pandemic closures.

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 09:15PM
Wednesday, February 24, 2021

New York City Ballet alum Silas Farley, 26, is named dean of Colburn dance institute by Makeda Easter

Farley will be reunited with his longtime mentor Darleen Callaghan, the school's new associate dean, to run the Trudl Zipper Dance Institute.

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 09:02PM
Thursday, February 11, 2021

How 'Moonlight' and Solange inspired an opera film centering Black artists by Makeda Easter

Heartbeat Opera's "Breathing Free" weaves music from Beethoven's "Fidelio," spirituals and works by Florence Price, Harry T. Burleigh and Anthony Davis.

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 07:14AM
Monday, January 25, 2021

Tenor Russell Thomas is named L.A. Opera's artist in residence by Makeda Easter

As artist in residence at L.A. Opera, Thomas will curate programming, perform a leading role each season and run two training programs for young artists.

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 08:40PM
Saturday, January 16, 2021

How a $970,000 award represents hope and change for a Black L.A. dance company by Makeda Easter

The Mellon Foundation grants nearly $1 million to Lula Washington Dance Theatre, part of an effort to correct systemic inequality in arts funding.

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 10:49AM
Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Five things to know about first-time Tony Award winner André De Shields of Baltimore by Makeda Easter

André De Shields capped a 50-year acting career by scoring his first Tony Award on Sunday night, winning best featured actor in a musical for his role as Hermes in “Hadestown.” It’s b…

SOURCE: The Baltimore Sun Subscription at 09:06AM

André De Shields just won his first Tony at 73. Here are 5 facts on his epic career by Makeda Easter

André De Shields capped a 50-year acting career by scoring his first Tony Award on Sunday, winning best featured actor in a musical for his role as Hermes in “Hadestown.” It’s been a …

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 09:05AM
Saturday, May 18, 2019

This choreographer uses dance to help transgender communities feel seen by Makeda Easter

In the opening vignette of Sean Dorsey’s latest work, “Boys in Trouble,” the choreographer performs a gentle solo within the confines of a single spotlight. As he dances, his recorded …

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 08:05AM
Wednesday, May 15, 2019

USC's dance school has its first graduates. Where do they go from here? by Makeda Easter

On Friday the 33 students who make up the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance’s inaugural class will graduate. More than 60% of them will leave USC employed, said Jodie Gates, the school’…

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 06:35PM
Thursday, May 9, 2019

How one Kwame Brathwaite photo captures the ’60s ‘Black Is Beautiful’ movement by Makeda Easter

It was the summer of 1963 when photographer Kwame Brathwaite captured a protest over Wigs Parisian, a white-owned wig shop that opened on Harlem’s 125th Street near the Apollo Theater. One…

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 10:50PM
Friday, May 3, 2019

Once imprisoned, now onstage: The new voices of Philip Glass’ ‘In the Penal Colony’ by Makeda Easter

John E. Pizzini’s first attempt at college didn’t end as planned. At Michigan State University he studied engineering — a path his father pushed him to pursue — and he hated it. Abou…

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 08:44AM
Monday, April 22, 2019

Broad Stage names a new director: Rob Bailis of Cal Performances by Makeda Easter

The Broad Stage in Santa Monica will announce on Monday that it has hired a new artistic and executive director, Rob Bailis, who comes from Cal Performances at UC Berkeley. Bailis, who succe…

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 09:00AM
Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Merce Cunningham ‘Night of 100 Solos’: How L.A. organizers pulled off a dance coup by Makeda Easter

“Night of 100 Solos: A Centennial Event” was a celebration of Merce Cunningham on what would have been the 100th birthday of one the most pioneering and influential choreographers in con…

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 04:45PM
Thursday, March 21, 2019

Spring dance picks: Alvin Ailey, Eifman Ballet, 'Night of 100 Solos' and more by Makeda Easter

Ballet, street dance theater, Mexican folk — there are enough offerings this spring to satisfy any dance lover’s taste. Ford Theatres has a particularly strong lineup, kicking off spring…

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 06:00AM
Wednesday, March 20, 2019

She's 25 and on the rise: How L.A. choreographer Micaela Taylor became a hot name in dance by Makeda Easter

Micaela Taylor thought the accolades might come by the time she was 30. But at 25, the choreographer and dancer is already watching the recognition grow — fast — for her unique style of …

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 11:00AM
Tuesday, March 19, 2019

Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s new artistic director will be the first person of color in the post by Makeda Easter

Veteran stage director Nataki Garrett has been named the sixth artistic director of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the company announced Tuesday, making her the first person of color to ho…

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 06:15PM
Thursday, March 7, 2019

For choreographer Jessica Lang, her company's final tour is a beginning, not the end by Makeda Easter

On a rainy night, about 250 people gathered in Malibu for the final California performance of the noted New York contemporary-ballet company Jessica Lang Dance. But the company’s founder a…

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 02:25PM
Thursday, June 21, 2018

Nearly 400 plays in two weeks: The Hollywood Fringe Festival proves L.A. theater is alive and kicking by Makeda Easter

Ella Turenne stepped onto a small Hollywood stage singing the early-2000s hit by neo-soul singer India Arie, “I Am Not My Hair.” The song was a fitting introduction to her one-woman show…

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 03:10PM
Friday, December 16, 2016

Pasadena Playhouse locks in Al Pacino for new production about Tennessee Williams by Makeda Easter

Al Pacino will star in a production of Dotson Rader’s “God Looked Away” at the Pasadena Playhouse in February, the theater said Friday. The Oscar winner is no stranger to theater, hav…

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 05:20PM

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2023-2024 BROADWAY SEASON
May 30, 2023: Grey House - Lyceum Theatre
Jun 26, 2023: Just For Us - Hudson Theatre
Jul 24, 2023: The Cottage - Hayes Theater
Nov 16, 2023: Spamalot - St. James Theatre
Dec 18, 2023: Appropriate - Hayes Theater
Mar 07, 2024: Doubt - Todd Haimes Theatre
Apr 14, 2024: Lempicka - Longacre Theatre
Apr 17, 2024: The Wiz - Marquis Theatre
Apr 18, 2024: Suffs - Music Box Theatre
Apr 25, 2024: Mother Play - Hayes Theater
Jun 10, 2024: The Drama Desk Awards