Desdemona Chiang News

Dear Readers, I want to share with you one of the issues I come up against while writing these reviews. How much of the story to tell you. Especially with shows such as “Sanctuary City” by Martyna Majok, currently playing at the Seattle Rep, I want you to experience it somewhat blind, and let this brilliantly layered show unfold and wash over you the same way it did for me. But I want to tell you what it’s about. So, I’ll do my best and still try to avoid the spoilers.

THE DRAMA LEAGUE announces The Irene Gandy Directing Assistantships, honoring the legendary Tony Award-winning publicist.

It's December, and the first standings of the month have been announced as of Tuesday, December 5th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Pittsburgh Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC) announced the results of its 2023 Executive Board election at its Annual Membership Meeting on Monday night, November 13.

For its 13th summer, Rhinebeck Writers Retreat is hosting 21 award-winning musical theatre writers of nine new musicals for nine consecutive weeklong residencies between June 25 and August 27.

Lauren Yee's time-bending new play shows the power of identity, family and a really good mixtape.

Seattle Opera closes its 2022/23 season with the West Coast premiere of Bound, a new chamber opera from composer Huang Ruo and librettist Bao-Long Chu that premiered at Houston Grand Opera in 2014.

The Drama League has announced the fourteen exceptional stage directors receiving the fellowships, assistantships, and residencies of the 2023 Drama League Directors Project.

Intimate stories. Interwoven music. Breathtaking physicality. This, and much more, is what you can expect upon your return to Seattle Rep for an all-new season in fall 2023. See how to purchase tickets!

Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation has announced the recipients of the 2022-2023 Professional Development Program Cycle 1 opportunities. 

Portland Center Stage presents the newest play from one of the most exciting playwrights in the country — the world premiere of Lauren Yee's Young Americans, directed by Desdemona Chiang. Commissioned by PCS, Young Americans takes audiences on two road trips, traveling to and from Portland, 20 years apart. 

Continuing its commitment to new works and today's stories, Seattle Opera presents Bound, a chamber opera by composer Huang Ruo and librettist Bao-Long Chu. Based on true events, Bound tells the story of Diane Tran, a 17-year-old honor student who spent a night in jail in 2012 for truancy when she missed too many school days working two jobs to support her family.

The Drama League will offer a second Next Stage Residency in 2023, through a Regrowth and Capacity Grant from the New York State Council on the Arts. This grant will support the organization’s celebrated umbrella of service programs, collectively called The Directors Project.

“Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella” is an enduring classic for a reason. Sure, it’s family friendly and has a worldwide recognizable name, but in addition to it’s wonderful songs, it’s shown to be amazingly adaptable based on the production.

Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC) announced the results of its 2022 Executive Board election at its Annual Membership Meeting on Monday night, November 14. Evan Yionoulis was elected to serve a second term as Executive Board President.

Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF) is now accepting applications for its Professional Development Program 2022-2023 Season Cycle 1.

The Drama League (Artistic Director Gabriel Stelian-Shanks, Executive Director Bevin Ross) has opened the 2023-2024 applications for its acclaimed umbrella of service programs, collectively called The Directors Project. These programs, which for the last four decades have provided unparalleled industry-leading production opportunities, career development, and professional growth, give early and mid-career directors paid fellowships, residencies to develop new works, and assistantships at major theatrical institutions.  

City Opera Vancouver announces a format change in presentation of the new opera CHINATOWN. It opens 13 September at the Vancouver Playhouse.

PlayGround, California's leading playwright incubator and theatre community hub, has announced its 29th season, including the return of the celebrated Monday Night PlayGround staged reading series on third Mondays,* October - March, in-person this year at Berkeley's Freight & Salvage and live simulcast.

Memories, secrets, and what is believed to be true are held in a delicate balance in the hands of The Bonesetter’s Daughter at Book-It Repertory Theatre. There are the stories we tell and the stories we hide. Can you really know who you are if you don’t know the past? The bonds of mothers and daughters will be tested when all is revealed. Book-It Repertory Theatre takes you on a journey through three generations to discover the truth of a family’s roots.