CMU School of Drama


Wednesday, May 06, 2026

The Story Behind the 2026 Met Gala’s Dazzling Full-Moon Centerpiece

Vogue: When guests of the Met Gala 2026—including the night’s co-chairs, Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, and Venus Williams—step off the stone-inspired carpet and into The Metropolitan Museum of Art tonight, they’ll be greeted by a luminous moon.

Who Is Performing at the Three Rivers Arts Festival This Year?

Pittsburgh Magazine: Organizers of the Three Rivers Arts Festival have announced this year’s lineup for its free concert series and performances. The roster includes some big players and classic groups spanning multiple genres, as well as some newer names and local artists bringing a Steel City flair to the event.

The American Women Who Transformed Shakespeare Editing

Folger Shakespeare Library: Porter and Clarke were outliers in the rarified world of Shakespeare editing and scholarship. Why? Because they were female, queer, non-academic co-editors, in a world dominated by solitary male editors with university affiliations. They were the first editors to base their edition and analysis on the text of Shakespeare’s First Folio of 1623, a back-to-basics approach which got rid of three centuries of editorial attempts to “correct” or “improve” the original text.

Stephen Flaherty's 'Ragtime' and Carnegie Mellon Alums Feature Prominently Among 2026 Tony Award Nominees

onstagepittsburgh.com: Nominations for the 79th Tony Awards showcase the Pittsburgh theater community’s contributions to Broadway, including 11 nominations for the revival of Ragtime. Composer Stephen Flaherty, a Dormont native, won the 1998 Tony for Ragtime’s musical score, and will receive the Richard Rodgers Award on June 12, five days after the 2026 Tonys ceremony, at Pittsburgh CLO’s 80th Anniversary Gala.

Coursera AI Online Classes: Best Deals, Price, Subscribe Online

variety.com: As artificial intelligence reshapes everything from entry-level tasks to executive decision-making, it’s now more important than ever to learn how to use and leverage these tools to gain a competitive edge in an increasingly saturated job market. Platforms like Coursera are betting on this new premium.

Tuesday, May 05, 2026

IATSE Says Kennedy Center Violating Its Contract, Using Temporary Closure to Permanently Cut Jobs and Services

IATSE: The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) is condemning management of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, alleging the Kennedy Center is violating its union contract and laying off workers without meeting its legal obligation to bargain over the impact of a temporary closure.

Electrical Fire at Broadway Theater Closes ‘Book of Mormon’ Indefinitely

The New York Times: “The Book of Mormon,” one of Broadway’s biggest juggernauts, will be forced to close for an unknown period of time after an electrical fire on Monday morning caused significant damage to the Eugene O’Neill Theater, where the musical has run for the last 15 years.

We Spent a Week Quarantined on an Uninhabited Island with 80 Artists

Colossal: A muscular Englishman in a khaki kilt and black beret hops atop the edge of an old well clad in traditional Spanish tile, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows in what can only be called an act of bravery. High winds and rain pelt a group of visitors from all directions, and yet, this charismatic performer stands tall above the cobblestone to announce that he’s been living on this vacant island for nearly two centuries. He’s here to give us a tour.

14 Of The Weirdest Third-Party Drill Attachments You Can Find On Amazon

www.slashgear.com: The combi-drill is a wonderfully versatile tool. As a drilling and driving implement, it sits at the heart of virtually all home improvement, construction, and building tasks. Regardless of what job you're taking on, your drill is almost always going to be right there at your side. The essentiality of the power drill makes it one of the few items that are consistently necessary in a home tool kit.

The 2026 Met Gala dress code is ‘Fashion is Art’. But is it?

New Pittsburgh Courier: The first Monday in May marks the annual Met Gala: a collision of celebrities, designers and cultural icons. Established in 1948, the gala was originally a high-society event held to raise money for the Costume Institute of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Monday, May 04, 2026

Genelec Helps Transform Tallinn City Theatre In Estonia

ProSoundWeb: The Estonian Youth Theatre, which started 60 years ago as a single house in Tallinn on Lai Street to use as a private rehearsal and office space and is now 16 unified buildings – each dating back to the 13th century – in one theater complex, recently underwent an audio upgrade of all public spaces with ambient soundscapes and even coverage delivered by Genelec Smart IP loudspeakers.

Suffs Has Recouped on the Road

Playbill: The current tour has recouped 28 playing weeks into its triumphant march across North America. The acclaimed Tony-winning musical about the passionate American women who fought tirelessly for the right to vote has been seen by more than 375,000 patrons since its launch September 19, 2025, at the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle.

'Schimgadoon!' on Broadway, Alex Brightman, Sara Chase interview

www.goldderby.com/theater: Broadway mainstays Alex Brightman and Sara Chase are using their two decades of kinship to unearth comedy and heart in Schmigadoon!, the stage version of the Apple TV musical theater satire. The pair star as Josh and Melissa, a couple who are dropped into the titular town where every day unfold's like a '40s and '50s-era musical.

A Look at 'The Devil Wears Prada 2' Wardrobe

The Knockturnal: In the world of The Devil Wears Prada 2, the wardrobe doesn’t just support the story—it leads the narrative, commanding as much screen presence as Miranda Priestly herself. Two decades ago, The Devil Wears Prada became a fashion mood board for a generation, anchored by a cast that has since evolved into the industry’s most formidable stars.

DPA Microphones Capture The Detail Of Yann Tiersen On Tour

ProSoundWeb: Veteran live sound engineer Jamie Harley, whose four‑decade career spans electronic, indie and acoustic music, deployed a DPA Microphones DPK2015 piano stereo kit on the “Rathlin from a Distance | The Liquid Hour” tour by French composer and musician Yann Tiersen.

Friday, May 01, 2026

World Record-Breaking Drone Show Lights Up the Sky in China

mymodernmet.com: There are many amazing breakthroughs in the world of drones, particularly light shows. As such, there are very specific achievements and records to be broken, all different and delightful in their own way. One such Guinness World Record was broken in February 2026.

Trish Santini Named Managing Director at The Old Globe

www.broadwayworld.com: The Board of Directors of The Old Globe has appointed Trish Santini as Audrey S. Geisel Managing Director. Santini will work together with Erna Finci Viterbi Artistic Director Barry Edelstein to lead San Diego’s flagship arts institution.

Synth-Werk Reissues ‘Kraftwerk’ Bode Frequency Shifter

Synthtopia: The Bode Frequency Shifter was iconically used by Kraftwerk, and was also licensed for production by Moog. The Bode Frequency Shifter complements modern pitch shifters by affecting sound in a very different way, creating inharmonic overtones that change the timbre, often resulting in metallic sounds.

let’s just do it.

www.culturebot.org: Under the cobalt blue ceiling of La Mama’s Great Jones rehearsal studios, the team behind The Door Slams, A Glass Trembles– the most recent offering from the venerable experimental theater company Talking Band– prepped for an early runthrough. On one side of the room, a lush assortment of costumes strain a set of rolling racks. On the other, a well-stocked table sags under the weight of full place-settings and myriad of other props.

2026 Tony Honors Go To 1/52 Project, Jake Bell, Kenn Lubin and Loren Plotkin

www.broadwayworld.com: The Tony Awards Administration Committee will present the 2026 Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre to four outstanding contributors to the Broadway industry - 1/52 Project, Jake Bell, Kenn Lubin, and Loren Plotkin.

Thursday, April 30, 2026

Shakira crew member dies after suffering ‘crushing injuries’ while building stage for Rio concert

The Independent: A local construction worker helping to build the stage for Shakira’s upcoming Brazil concert has died after suffering “crushing injuries,” organizers have confirmed.

Tragedy in Rio: Worker dies before Shakira show

www.msn.com: A few days before pop superstar Shakira's (49) planned free concert at Copacabana, a worker died during stage construction. As the fire department of the state of Rio de Janeiro (CBMERJ) reported according to G1, the technician got caught in a lifting device on Sunday and suffered severe injuries to his legs.

Worker crushed to death while setting up stage for Shakira's concert on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro

www.thesun.co.uk: Workers managed to free the man who was rushed to hospital. He was later pronounced dead, the state fire department (CBMERJ) said. Concert organizer Bonus Track said in a statement: “Unfortunately, the technician passed away in hospital.”

Shakira Crew Member Dies From ‘Crushing Injuries' in Brazil

www.usmagazine.com: Concert organizers confirmed that a crew member died while setting up the stage for Shakira’s upcoming Brazil show.

Broadway Stagedoor Culture Is Getting Out of Hand

www.themarysue.com: There was once a time when people did things for the sake of doing them, instead of just to get clout online. Countless everyday joys have been ruined by the bottomless hunger for likes and views and attention, but one experience that has really suffered is seeing a show on Broadway.

Wednesday, April 29, 2026

What Is the State of the Theater Industry? Experts Weigh In

www.broadwayworld.com: What is the state of the theater industry in 2026? A panel of New York theater professionals came together earlier this month with SAG-AFTRA Foundation to talk about just that, in a conversation moderated by BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge.

John Cameron Mitchell on ‘Oh, Mary!’ and 25 Years of ‘Hedwig’

www.rollingstone.com: At 63, the Broadway legend is best known for his punk-rock musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch, which charts the rage-filled escapades of genderqueer glam rocker Hedwig as she follows around the ex-boyfriend who stole her music and became a star.

A Harry Potter Light Show Will Take Over the L.A. Sky With 1,200 Drones

www.timeout.com/los-angeles: Los Angeles is about to get a little more magical. This June, the sky above Dodger Stadium will transform into a glowing wizarding world spectacle as 1,200 synchronized drones take flight for a one-night-only Harry Potter-themed show.

Kraftwerk Loses Two-Decade-Long Copyright Dispute

variety.com: A circuitous and protracted copyright infringement case first brought by German electronic-music pioneers Kraftwerk in 2004 has finally been settled — and not in the pioneering electronic group’s favor.

Met Opera's $200 Million Saudi Arabia Deal Falls Through

www.broadwayworld.com: The Metropolitan Opera's high-profile arrangement with the Saudi Arabian government - a deal that would have delivered up to $200 million to the struggling company over eight years - has collapsed, The New York Times reports.

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Adam Jacobs to Host 10th Annual Arts for Autism Benefit Concert at New Amsterdam Theatre

www.broadwayworld.com: On June 22nd, 2026, Arts for Autism will arrive at the New Amsterdam Theatre – home of the blockbuster Aladdin – for the tenth annual concert featuring a constellation of Broadway performers alongside the stars of tomorrow – student performers from across the nation.

BROADWAY BOUND THEATRE FESTIVAL Unveils 10th Anniversary Lineup

www.broadwayworld.com: AI replaces every human job overnight. A queer musician is trapped in his childhood home in Tennessee during the pandemic. And a FDNY lieutenant spends Christmas Eve at Ground Zero, looking for the remains of his fallen brother at the 2026 Broadway Bound Theatre Festival (BBTF). In this bold and eclectic lineup, the human condition is on full display as a dynamic mix of new plays and musicals light up the stage.

London’s West End Travel Guide for Theater Lovers: Shows, Hotels, Bars

Observer: London’s West End is a pilgrimage-worthy destination for anyone who loves the stage, rivaled only by Broadway in New York City. For avid theatergoers, Theatreland presents one-of-a-kind opportunities, like witnessing three-time Oscar nominee and Tony, Emmy and Grammy winner Cynthia Erivo play all 23 roles in Kip Williams’s Dracula and watching Chris Pine in his London stage debut in Ivanov at the Bridge Theatre. For a tried-and-true option, Agatha Christie’s murder mystery The Mousetrap holds the title of the longest-running show in London, having premiered in 1952.

L.A. Mayor Hopeful Nithya Raman Faces Questions on Hollywood Policies

www.hollywoodreporter.com: On Apr. 21, L.A. City Councilmember Nithya Raman released a new campaign video, in the quick-cut, walk-and-talk online style by which Zohran Mamdani updated the Aaron Sorkin ethos. “I’m running for Mayor to make sure Los Angeles stays the film and TV capital of the world,” she announced before ticking off her agenda and criticizing incumbent Mayor Karen Bass for her record in handling L.A.’s downward production spiral, including her delayed appointment of a film liaison who Raman faulted for lacking experience in the entertainment business.

Celestial stage Titanic drone show

TPi: Celestial has been revealed as the company behind the spectacle over Belfast Harbour that has captured global attention. Commissioned as part of the BBC’s Made Of Here campaign, the project set out to symbolically bring RMS Titanic back to life using drone show technology.