Parker Esse News

Catch Me If You Can begins performances tonight, March 4, at the Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. The musical features a book by Terrence McNally, music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman and based on the Dreamworks Motion Picture.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater has announced casting for a new version of the Tony-nominated musical comedy Catch Me If You Can.

Today’s subject Matthew Gardiner is a prime example of someone living their theatre life to the fullest. While he has directed and choreographed all over town and in Korea as well, by far the bulk of his career has been working at Signature Theatre. Since coming there in 2004, Matthew has either choreographed and or directed some of Signature’s most memorable productions while also serving as the company’s Associate Artistic Director since 2011.

Morning technique classes in ballet, East Indian, Afro-Cuban, rhythm, and acting set up the critical foundational training for the quintessential 'Fosse dancer.' Afternoons will be spent studying longer excerpts from signature pieces of Fosse choreography in an intimate, constructive, and challenging class environment.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater announces its lineup of Winter classes featuring classes catered to families, theater lovers, students, adults and emerging theater artists. The Voices of Now Mead Ensemble for young artists will begin this winter, meeting virtually to contribute to a new original film. Just in time for the holidays, this robust line of programming has something for everyone and makes the perfect unique gift for the theater lover in your family.

On September 25, the 36th Annual Helen Hayes Awards concluded, after a series of virtual events celebrating Washington's dynamic and diverse theatre community.

The 2020 Helen Hayes Awards, recognizing the outstanding work on Washington area stages in 2019, continued its four-week virtual event series. 

Beginning this month, Goodspeed Musicals will offer robust performing arts education and training programs for students 7 years of age and older - all from the comfort and safety of home.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater has announced its Fall/Winter Looking Forward Season featuring more than 70 virtual events and programs to engage with and respond to audiences in Washington, D.C-metropolitan region and nationally.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater has announced its newly created virtual audition intensive. Developed and led by Arena Stage's Community Engagement department, the online intensive prepares students and artists ages 16-22 for careers in theater with group and private coaching sessions in audition techniques.

Goodspeed has released a new video in its Staff Picks series, featuring James Snyder singing 'Soliloquy' in Carousel in 2012!

A new episode has been released for Signature Strong Live!, called The Choreography Episode.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater has announced the expansion of its online programs and events through August 2020. Arena Artistic Director Molly Smith has curated a diverse and engaging Spring/Summer Season, Looking Forward, connecting artists and audiences locally and nationally.

Arena Stage continues to engage the community with its education program, Voices of Now, working with middle and high school students online in addition to newly added dates to its Intermission series of virtual programming.

Arena Stage, in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19), will begin hosting virtual programming to engage the community.

South Jersey will be getting rocked by the pilot of Theatrical Rights Worldwide's We Will Rock You Young@Part this Spring by the Woodruff School ACE Music Program. The program is made up of 50 talented middle school students aged 10 to 13 years old in 6th, 7th and 8th Grade.

Tonight, at a celebration honoring theatre excellence on stages across the Washington area, theatre artists, administrators, patrons, and special guests gathered in the National Theatre's Helen Hayes Gallery for theatreWashington's announcement of nominees for the 36th Annual Helen Hayes Awards, which will be presented on Monday, May 18 at an event at the Anthem.

Despite being set in 1899, NEWSIES feels marvelously modern. It is sharp, slick, and explosive. Even if, like me, you saw the bright new production of NEWSIES on Broadway in 2012, the Arena Stage setting is instantly memorable. Being emerged in the theater-in-the-round is like the difference between seeing a beloved film on the big screen and walking into the middle of the action in the Disney theme parks.

In the summer of 1899, the newsboys of New York City took on two of the most powerful men in the country — Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst — and won. Inspired by true events, the Broadway smash hit is a testament to the power of standing up and speaking out. The Tony Award-winning musical features fan-favorites like “Carrying the Banner,” “King of New York” and “Seize the Day.” Newsies is “a winning, high-energy musical” (Entertainment Weekly) just in time for the holidays and perfect for the whole family.

The Tony Award-winning musical, Disney's Newsies, will receive an additional six performances during its run at Arena Stage. Under the direction of Molly Smith, choreography by Parker Esse and music direction by Laura Bergquist, the production now runs through December 29, 2019 in the iconic in-the-round Fichandler Stage.