8,501 stories from Backstage
From the Greek chorus to Commedia dell'arte to Japanese Noh, movement has been a key element of storytelling since the earliest days of the theater. Often incorporating elements of music, da…
Los Angeles theater awards are becoming increasingly competitive as small companies jostle for recognition with their larger rivals. In the past, companies such as Center Theatre Group have …
Theater has inspired, entertained, and challenged audiences for thousands of years, but at the crux of great work is often great controversy. These bold playwrights have courted scandal and …
A Los Angeles theater received a major grant to help support its work with local schools and fund a pair of 2015 productions.
The 24th STreet Theatre, which counts Jack Black as a supp…
“If I’m going to a play, I want to see myself onstage,” said Lydia R. Diamond. “It’s not rocket science.”
Diamond’s comment cut to the core of a que…
Most actors can remember the first time they saw a play or musical, and the moment they decided, “This is for me.” The transformative nature of theater is undeniable, but for man…
The last time Carmen Zilles worked with renowned Flemish director Ivo van Hove at New York Theatre Workshop, the circumstances were rather different. “He was around when I was an inter…
When “Corpus Christi” debuted at Manhattan Theatre Club in 1998, it seemed destined for infamy.
Written by Terrence McNally, the play reimagines Jesus and his Apostles as gay men…
In the ever-changing theatrical landscape, plays that speak to our contemporary experience remain as vital as ever. Though many theaters work world premieres into their seasons, the followin…
A grassroots group of actors, producers and stage directors wants to remake the Los Angeles theater industry, which they believe is gripped by a “fearful culture.”
The lead…
Los Angeles theater actors in search of paid work and awards should discover their love of musicals.
When the Ovation Awards nominees were announced Monday, La Mirada Theatre for the P…
Actors' Equity Association is rallying its Los Angeles membership and meeting with local theater producers as part of its westward push.
The theater actors’ union recently cut the ribb…
The spirit of the 2014 New York Innovative Theatre Awards can best be summed up by what presenter Terry Schreiber said when he walked onstage: “It’s great to be home.” For …
You know them best for their film and television performances, but did you know these stars have deep ties to the world of live theater? Here are 11 famous actors and the theater companies t…
Some of Off-Broadway’s best recent productions will soon be viewable from the comfort of your living room. PBS Thirteen is premiering an exciting new television series titled “Th…
Trying to find a particular costume for your play? Or maybe you’re looking for paid carpentry work? Film and theater artists in NYC don’t have to worry anymore about how to find …
After the success of their Young Leaders of Color Program, Theatre Communication Group has launched a new initiative for leaders of color in the theater industry. With support from American …
For the last decade, Bravo’s “Inside the Actors Studio” has offered fascinating glimpses into how some of our greatest actors approach their craft. Here are 17 pieces of ac…
“You Can’t Take It With You” (Opens Sept. 28)James Earl Jones leads a starry cast (including Rose Byrne, Annaleigh Ashford, and Mark Linn-Baker) in this revival of the clas…
This fall’s Off-Broadway lineup boasts an array of envelope-pushing, thought-provoking new drama and a few welcome revivals. Here are 10 promising shows to kick off the 2014–2015…
Billboards around Los Angeles are touting new TV series starring female actors such as “How to Get Away with Murder” and “Madam Secretary.” These shows will join netw…
We all know Los Angeles is the land of film and television; home to all of the major studios and a hub for independent production, the road to on-camera stardom undoubtedly lies somewhere ne…
A hyperactive lesbian cyborg. A dragon dreaming of superstardom. The Scooby-Doo gang at their high school reunion.
These are some of the many stories you might see on any given night in #ser…
What started as a Twitter parody of working actors’ behavior has blossomed into a New York theater mini-empire. Annoying Actor Friend dominates the blogosphere, contributes a monthly c…
With an emphasis on networking and encouraging creativity among artists in all stages of their careers, the Primary Stages Einhorn School of Performing Arts offers actors something difficult…
