Theater Review: Gwydion Theatre Company's "Ghosts" by Henrik Ibsen

www.newcitystage.com: Gwydion Theatre’s pared-down, gripping production of Henrik Ibsen’s “Ghosts” at the Greenhouse is a homecoming of sorts: oddly enough, the play premiered in 1882 in Chicago, in an auditorium on Milwaukee Avenue at Huron. There it was performed in its original Danish (then the written language of both Norway and Denmark) to an audience of Scandinavian immigrants.

Blue Man Group’s 34-Year New York Run Comes to an End

The New York Times: After 17,800 shows and 82,150 gallons of paint, Blue Man Group is hanging up its bald caps at the Astor Place Theater for good on Sunday. It arrived there in 1991, when George H.W. Bush was president, cellphones were rare and the World Wide Web was two years away. (The group’s first profile in The New York Times existed only on paper.) In the generation since, the trio of hairless, earless, silent, blue-and-black clad performers, who spit paint and sculpt marshmallows, gobble Twinkies and drum in primary colors, unexpectedly became a culture-infiltrating sensation.

WICKED, THE GREAT GATSBY & More Win Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Awards

www.broadwayworld.com: The Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild (IATSE Local 706) announced winners of its 12th Annual MUAHS Awards, presented by L’Oréal Groupe and Giovanni Eco Chic Beauty, before a liveaudience at The Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel tonight. The MUAHS Awards recognize excellence in the artistry and creativity of Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists in 23 categories, including motion pictures, television, music videos The MUAHS Awards recognize excellence in the artistry and creativity of Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists in 23 categories, including motion pictures, television, music videos and theater entertainment. This year, the theater category has expanded to include Broadway and international theater productions.

Opinion | In ‘A Complete Unknown,’ the Clothes Are Also Singing

The New York Times: Playing Bob Dylan in “A Complete Unknown,” Timothée Chalamet had 67 costume changes. If you didn’t notice, then as the costume designer on the film, I did my job: A mark of success in costume design is your work’s becoming invisible. Clothes help tell the story. But they should not become the story.

Meet This Year's Best Costume Design Academy Award Nominees

crfashionbook.com: As another show-stopping year of cinema comes to a close, it is time for the Academy Awards to delegate their golden statuettes to the best in film. From Best Picture to Best Director, there are a few categories every moviegoer, whether cinephile or casual, has an opinion on. However, there are a total of 23 categories in the Academy Awards that have composers, editors, and makeup artists on the edge of their seats.

Seamstress brings Mardi Gras magic to life in Southeast Texas

12newsnow.com: Two weeks before the 33rd Annual Majestic Krewe of Aurora Grand Ball, a Bridge City seamstress worked tirelessly to create spectacular costumes that brought the magic of this past weekend's Mardi Gras celebration to life.

Festool CXS 18 Compact Drill

JLC Online: Back in 2011, Festool developed the 10.8-volt CXS drill, which was smaller and lighter than any other cordless drill/driver then on the market. Festool has since updated it with the CXS 12, which continues to use a 10.8-volt battery but offers several innovative features. The company’s new CXS 18 drill is similar to the CXS 12 but uses Festool’s 18-volt battery and delivers about 30% more torque than the CXS 12.

How to Add Custom AutoLISP Commands Into the AutoCAD Ribbon

AutoCAD Blog | Autodesk: In my previous blog post, A Guide to AutoCAD Ribbon Customization, I explained how the built-in commands from AutoCAD can be added to the ribbon to streamline workflows and enhance productivity. This blog is a continuation, where I expand on how to take customization a step further by integrating your own custom AutoLISP commands into the ribbon. This allows you to create a truly personalized and efficient workspace tailored to your unique design needs.

‘A Complete Unknown’ recreated an iconic Bob Dylan costume design fit for the film’s finale: ‘A great rock archetype that still echoes to this day’

www.yahoo.com/entertainment: Receiving a single Oscar nomination would be an incredible personal achievement. But the four nominations A Complete Unknown costume designer Arianne Phillips has earned over her career extend “beyond my wildest 8-year-old dreams,” she tells Gold Derby in the final days of this year’s awards campaign.

Paul Tazewell on his Wicked Oscar nomination and ‘touching hearts’

GoldDerby: When this year’s Oscar nominations were announced, Wicked costume designer Paul Tazewell was defying gravity thousands of feet in the air. “I was actually on a plane coming from London, and I couldn’t get my wi-fi to work,” the Best Costume Design nominee tells Gold Derby (watch above). “I finally just gave up, and I dozed off for a bit. When I woke up, I was able to get on the wi-fi, and I saw all of the texts that had come through. I was so pleased!”

In ‘The Years,’ an Abortion Scene Is Causing Audience Members to Pass Out

The New York Times: Onstage at the Harold Pinter Theater, the actress Romola Garai was portraying a young Frenchwoman trying to give herself an abortion with a knitting needle. The scene was set in 1964, a time when medical abortions were illegal in France, and Garai’s character wasn’t ready for motherhood.

Celebrating Jonathan Larson, Creator of ‘Rent,’ in a New Show Off Broadway

The New York Times: In his Tony-winning musical, “Rent,” Jonathan Larson asked: “How do you measure a year in the life?” The question took on an even heavier weight, with striking resonance, after Larson died unexpectedly at the age of 35 in 1996, hours before the show’s first preview.

Broadway Photographer Jenny Anderson Will Release Debut Photo Collection

www.broadwayworld.com: Broadway photographer Jenny Anderson has worked with the most important performers in theatre and used the power of photography to tell the stories behind the stories: what happens backstage at a Broadway show. Now, her debut collection of photos, The In-Between: Intimate and Candid Moments of Broadway Stars, is available for pre-order here, ahead of a publish date of April 15, 2025.

Warner Bros. and Sony Drop Rivalry to Team Up on Las Vegas Studio

variety.com: Warner Bros. Discovery and Sony Pictures have ended their competition in Nevada and joined forces behind a new studio project in the Las Vegas suburbs. Last year, the companies were backing rival projects, both of which would have required state tax incentives to get off the ground.

Behind the Scenes: The Making of Luar’s NYFW FW ’25 Looks

The Knockturnal: On February 11th, Luar presented a dazzling showcase of creativity, innovation, and bold statements at the iconic Maiden Lane in downtown New York City. The runway was graced by top models such as Joan Smalls and Paloma Elsesser, who brought to life a collection that masterfully blended modern sophistication with nostalgic 80s flair. We had the opportunity to go backstage and witness the creation of the show’s signature hairstyle, the “Fiery Fan,” crafted by celebrity stylist Jawara.

Best Tape Measure Reviews for 2025

Pro Tool Reviews: Tape measures are a staple in everyone’s toolbox from the most seasoned Pro to the greenest DIYer. Ranging in length and price, most cost less than $30, and there are options under the $10 mark. But are all tape measures created equally? Of course not. We’re breaking things down into the categories our Pro team says are most important when looking for the best tape measure.

Going Green: Making Events More Sustainable with The Stage Bus

Event Industry News: As more and more events look to reduce their power consumption and power up on their green credentials, one element of live events that makes a huge impact is the stage. But no live event can do without stage and sound so what gives? That’s where The Stage Bus comes in…

Costume Design for an AU Theater Production: A CAS Conversation with Ted Hill

American University, Washington, D.C.: Last fall, Ted Hill (CAS ’25) got a rare opportunity for a student: he worked as the costume designer for the Department of Performing Arts (DPA) production of Sometimes the Rain, Sometimes the Sea. As full designer, Hill was charged with creating the show’s costumes from conception to completion. The play is a loose retelling of Hans Christian Anderson’s The Little Mermaid, where a Little Rain Cloud falls in love with a human. Created by Julia Izumi and directed by Nick Martin, the production sold out in Katzen’s Studio Theatre in November.

Nickelodeon Animation Workers Ratify Guild Contract by 89% for Wage Increases, Staffing Minimums

www.msn.com: Nickelodeon Animation Workers and the Animation Guild (IATSE Local 839) reached a contract agreement on Tuesday, with an overwhelming 89% of those who voted agreeing to a series of wage increases, staffing minimum requirements and more.

Which Knot Is Stronger? Humans Aren’t Great Judges

Scientific American: Humans are pretty good at guessing whether a towering stack of dishes in the sink will topple over or where a pool ball will go when a cue hits it. We evolved this kind of physical reasoning to navigate our changing and sometimes dangerous environments. But a new study highlights one area of intuitive physics that’s deceptively difficult: judging how strong a knot is.

Bridget Jones Costume Designer talks iconic outfits and big pants

www.cosmopolitan.com/uk: Move over Mia Thermopolis and Elle Woods, when it comes to the ultimate romantic-comedy heroine for the ages, that title belongs squarely to Bridget Jones. Sure, discovering you’re secretly royalty is all well and good, but hardly realistic. And as for pivoting your entire life to enrol and actually get into law school, in this economy with tuition fees where they’re at – no chance.

Producers Guild Calls Its Profession The ‘Pilot Light’ On Productions

www.forbes.com: When you hear about the year’s biggest films, the popular actors are often the first to be mentioned - then the director, maybe the writer - but what else? One organization celebrating 75 years in existence wants to remind us all about the pivotal role that producers consistently play on productions, big and small.

An Oakland Dance Troupe Brings Vertical Choreography to Broadway

The New York Times: In 1990, Amelia Rudolph was hiking through Tuolumne Meadows, a stunning mountain pass in Yosemite National Park, when she had an epiphany on a shiny granite bluff: “Could you make a performance here?” she wondered. “Could you dance on a cliff?”

Meet Canada's other national ballet company: it's bringing classics like 'Swan Lake' and 'The Nutcracker' to audiences that might otherwise never see them live

www.thestar.com/entertainment: Call them the unsung heroes of Canadian dance. In their home city, Toronto, they tend to go unnoticed, but talk to audiences in Glace Bay, Rimouski, Regina or Kitimat and, from their perspectives, Ballet Jörgen is effectively Canada’s national dance troupe.

Island Shakespeare Festival’s Sustainability in Action

HowlRound Theatre Commons: Tucked into the far northwest corner of the continental United States, nestled into the waters of Puget Sound, lies the forty-mile-long island of Tscha-kole-chy, colonially known as Whidbey Island, Washington. Pacific Ocean winds rush through majestic Deception Pass, rocking towering fir trees. Killer whales splash past the oyster-strewn shoreline (some sporting a dead salmon as a hat, potentially this season’s orca fashion trend). This fantastical place is also the real home of an outdoor theatre, Island Shakespeare Festival (ISF).

How To Find Where A Wire In A Cable Is Broken

Hackaday: Determining that a cable has a broken conductor is the easy part, but where exactly is the break? In a recent video, [Richard] over at the Learn Electronics Repair channel on YouTube gave two community-suggested methods a shake to track down a break in a proprietary charging cable.

How a few tweaks can improve team morale

Fast Company: Even managers with the best intentions can sometimes compromise team morale without realizing it. The art of team management involves balancing professional competence with genuine interpersonal connection. We consulted with 10 experienced industry professionals who shared the common pitfalls that can zap a team’s spirit as well as practical tips to help you avoid missteps and lead a motivated, high-performing group.

Jennifer Jones' Experience as the First Black Rockette

Dance Magazine: On January 31, 1988, I made my national debut with the world-famous Radio City Rockettes at the NFL Super Bowl halftime show in San Diego. It’s no exaggeration or cliché to say that it was an impossible illusion made real for my younger self, who desperately wanted to succeed as a dancer and performer.

In CTM’s ‘Cinderella,’ design magic takes center stage

Entertainment | captimes.com: Costume designer Aly Renee Amidei knows that the world could use a little bit of magic right now. She’s bringing color, sequins, glitter and joy to Children's Theater of Madison’s upcoming production of “Cinderella,” opening on Valentine’s Day in the Capitol Theater.

2025 Shakespeare Monologue & Scene Contest Finalists and Winners

onStage Pittsburgh: The 31st annual Shakespeare Monologue and Scene Contest Showcase of Finalists was presented by Pittsburgh Public Theater on Monday, February 24, 2025, at the O’Reilly Theater. Along with the competition among grades 4-12 in two divisions – lower division (grades 4-7) and upper division (grades 8-12) – Michelle J. Bruno from Pine-Richland High School was honored with the 2025 Rob Zellers Award for Excellence in Arts Education, for “her dedication to nurturing the next generation of artists and fostering creativity in the classroom.”

Who Makes the Best Tools - Brands for Pro Tradesmen & More

www.protoolreviews.com: We’ve been surveying our audience to see who makes the best tools. The answer, of course, is it depends. The best impact driver is likely made by a different brand than the best air compressor. You can break it down into trades, tool classes, power sources and so much more. Despite the complexity, we wanted to know what the general perceptions are out there. So, here’s how our audience answers the question, “Who Makes the Best Tools?”

Best New Tools for 2025 - February Update

Pro Tool Reviews: There are tons of new tools released each month—so many that it can be hard to keep track of everything. If you’re after the latest tool announcements from your favorite brands, you’ve come to the right place! We’re staying on top of the BEST new tools so you have one place to check each month to see the latest and greatest.

DramaWatch: Only connect, all over town

Oregon ArtsWatch: Whenever I read about upcoming shows, I like to play a version of Connect the Dots, seeing where different artists pop up … and how their work is connected to other productions.

With Wildfires Contained, Hollywood Workers Try to Rebuild

www.thewrap.com: On Jan. 16, it was all hands on deck at the IATSE Local 80 headquarters in Burbank, and not just within the entertainment crew workers’ union. Representatives from the Motion Picture & Television Fund and Entertainment Community Fund were on hand to accept applications for financial assistance. Grief counselors and insurance advisors were available for meetings on the second floor.

Spectra, an online theater community and information hub, is launched

www.broadwaynews.com: A new online community dedicated to theater has been revealed. Based on the idea that “theater ignites from the spark of collaboration and connection,” Spectra.theater is a multi-facted tool that will offer not just information, but connection between theater artists across all levels of the art form.

jiashi ying's jewelry series combines 3D printed organic shapes with fabric

www.designboom.com: Sensory Connection is a collection of 3D printed wearable pieces by jewelry artist Jiashi Ying that explores the relationship between sound and form. The series translates auditory expressions into visual and tactile designs, using CAD modeling to generate fluid, organic shapes.

Broadway's Operation Mincemeat Marquee Is Delayed by New Tariffs

Playbill: Though the Broadway transfer of Olivier winner Operation Mincemeat is slated to begin previews February 15, the marquee of the Golden Theatre is still dark. The reason? New tariffs on imports from China imposed by President Donald Trump, DKC/O&M (who handles press inquiries for the production) president and Rick Miramontez told AP News. Playbill confirmed the information with production representatives.

Styling the Swans

Columbia College Today: The 2024 FX limited series Feud: Capote Vs. The Swans is about friendship, fame and betrayal — the true story of what happened when acclaimed author Truman Capote exposed the secrets of his “swans,” a group of New York City socialites with whom he’d become close. But let’s be honest: It’s also about the clothing. The clean-cut elegance of Babe Paley. The sporty-chic style of Slim Keith. C.Z. Guest’s impeccable tweeds and turtlenecks.

Paul Tazewell

The Talks: I actually was initially in a fashion program at Pratt University, but I made the decision to switch to theater design for a couple reasons. One, I wanted to be a performer! I was studying dance and I wanted to hone those skills. And I also just felt like the community of fashion designers wasn’t a good fit for me. But the biggest reason was that I was being taught to design for the market.

2025 Oscars: Best Production Design Nominees Analyze Scenes

www.indiewire.com: IndieWire invited the production designers from the Oscar-nominated films to choose and analyze a pivotal scene that best showcases their craft. Here are the four who were able to participate: Judy Becker (“The Brutalist”), Suzie Davies (“Conclave”), Patrice Vermette (“Dune: Part Two”), and Nathan Crowley (“Wicked”).

THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG Will Hold First ASL Interpreted Performance

www.broadwayworld.com: The Play That Goes Wrong will hold its first ever American Sign Language (ASL) interpreted performance on Wednesday February 26 at 2 PM at New World Stages. ASL interpreters will be present for the performance to offer audiences a new way to experience the hit show.

The Bridget Jones breakdown squad: Mad About The Boy costume designer Molly Emma Rowe reveals all the on-set style secrets of the original Frazzled Englishwoman

Tatler: An empty answering machine on the landline. An all-the-emptier bottle of red wine. A lip sync to All By Myself in a matching pair of red penguin pyjamas. With that, Bridget Jones made history. Across her two-decade stint as the titular diarist, Renée Zellweger redefined British romance for a generation, making beatitudes out of breakups one playboy bunny costume at a time.

After the Curtain Falls: Show Closures on Broadway

StageLync: January is notoriously brutal for Broadway. The holidays end, ticket sales dip, and one by one, shows pack up their sets and say goodbye. Just this month, we’ve seen Back to the Future, Suffs, Stereophonic, and Our Town take their final bows. And it doesn’t stop there—Cult of Love, All In, Eureka Day, the new Romeo & Juliet, A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical, English, and even the long-running Blue Man Group are all set to close in the coming weeks.

‘The Brutalist’ Production Designer on Film's Architectural Style

www.hollywoodreporter.com: “It’s not all Brutalism,” reads the bio line on production designer Judy Becker’s Instagram. “It’s pictures of my black cat, too.” Years before director Brady Corbet hired Becker to help him realize the designs of his fictional protagonist, architect László Tóth, in The Brutalist, Becker was a devoted fan of the concrete-heavy, minimalist style, sharing buildings that appealed to her on her social media account.

Let There Be Light: The Engineering Of Optical HDMI

Hackaday: In a recent video, [Shahriar] from The Signal Path has unveiled the intricate design and architecture of optical HDMI cables, offering a cost-effective solution to extend HDMI 2.0 connections beyond the limitations of traditional copper links. This exploration is particularly captivating for those passionate about innovative hardware hacks and signal transmission technologies.

Types of Miter Saws and Which is Right for You

Pro Tool Reviews: If you’re ready to buy a miter saw, do you know which one to choose? With several different types of miter saws available, it’s more than just picking randomly from your favorite brand. We’ll help you decide which type is best for the way you work.

LG turns visitor faces into pop art on kinetic LED at ISE LG adds AI-powered image transformation to kinetic LED

www.avinteractive.com: LG has added an AI-power image transformation experience to its stand at ISE 2025. After visitors to LG’s booth have taken a photo with their smartphone and uploaded it via scanning a QR code, their picture is transformed by LG’s generative AI into a pop art-style image, which is then displayed on Kinetic LED.

How Sumo Wrestling Became New York’s Hottest New Play

www.thedailybeast.com: A small group sits in a windowless Public Theater rehearsal room, but the combination of dramatic taiko drumming, the sight of many of the actors clad only in the traditional mawashi (cloth-belt) costumes, and the painful thwack, thwack, thwack of bodies hitting the hard surface of the dohyō (ring) over and over again makes it feel as if we are at an actual sumo wrestling bout.

Gay Men's Chorus of Washington D.C. Responds to Cancelation of Kennedy Center Performance

www.broadwayworld.com: The Gay Men's Chorus of Washington D.C. have responded to The Kennedy Center's recent cancelation of their concert with the National Symphony Orchestra, "A Peacock Among Pigeons: Celebrating 50 Years of Pride." The move, which came shortly after President Donald Trump appointed himself chairman of the Kennedy Center's board, stirred apprehensions about the influence of the Trump administration on federally affiliated cultural institutions.

Folger Theatre Will Stage the World Premiere of Lauren M. Gunderson's A Room in the Castle

Playbill: Folger Theatre and the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company's world premiere co-production of Lauren M. Gunderson's A Room in the Castle will be presented March 4–April 6 at the Folger Shakespeare Library on Capitol Hill.

IFTA Q&A Series: Gwen Jeffares Hourie on Costume Design

The Irish Film & Television Network: Ahead of the 2025 IFTA Film & Drama Awards, IFTN is showcasing Irish talent who are nominated for this year's ceremony, blazing a trail in front of and behind the camera. Hosted in association with IFTA, this Q&A Series connects with Irish talent who represent a range of disciplines across our industry.