Our network partners are hosting some great events this month. Check out what’s On the RISE in the RISE Theatre Network. If you want to stay in the know, check out risetheatre.org.
Women Count continues to change the conversation from anecdotes to advocacy.
RISE Network Partner Women Count announces its latest report, VIII: Fifteen-Year View of Female and Non-Binary Hires Off-Broadway.
The Women Count report series has become part of the national conversation on gender parity in theater, and particularly in theater hiring decisions. Women Count VIII, the eighth report in the series, covers 24 companies, five seasons spanning the period before and after the pandemic shutdown, and 393 productions. The project has published a report series since 2014 designed to illuminate whose plays are being produced, who is directing them, and who is being hired for off-stage roles in those productions in New York’s theaters beyond Broadway. The lens of analysis expands in the recent series reports to include numbers and percentages for “female and non-binary” workers in study reporting categories.
The goal of the report series has always been to support advocacy efforts on behalf of women and nonbinary playwrights, performers, and off-stage theater workers. Off and Off-Off Broadway production trends range from areas in which female and nonbinary credits are dominant, areas where parity is being approached, and many other areas where parity is far from the norm. Each Women Count report does not analyze WHY hiring decision have been made but documents CREDITS to inform consideration of strategies to promote gender parity and opportunity.
We’ve revamped the RISE Theatre Directory! Check out all the new features on our website today.
Our new dashboard hosts various widgets to help you stay in the know. Some highlights include:
Profile completion %: On our dashboard, your profile progress is indicated by percentage to completion.RISE News: Any updates to our directory will be listed here. Industry News: Stay up to date with industry news gathered from our friends at Playbill, Broadway News, Broadway World and Variety.Events: Here you'll find all upcoming local and virtual events hosted by our Network Partners.
Calling all Artists, Writers, Designers, and Dreamers!
Come mix, mingle, and maybe meet your next creative collaborator. This free networking night—co-hosted with RISE—in celebration of Heather Christian's Oratorio for Living Things. Art + community = magic.
RSVP for this free event HERE.
Use the discount code RISEORATORIO for 20% off tickets to the Thursday, October 9th, 7:00 PM performance.
Looking for more ways to attend the shows at Signature at an affordable price? Learn more about Signature’s free memberships on their website.
WHAT: Collab-Connection with RISE @ Signature Theatre
WHERE: Signature Theatre, 480 West 42nd Street
WHEN: Thursday, October 9th
TIME: 6:00 pm
ABOUT THE SHOW
In this “PROFOUNDLY STRANGE AND OVERWHELMINGLY BEAUTIFUL” (New York Times) music-theater piece, creator Heather Christian infuses a classical oratorio with a captivating blend of blues, gospel, jazz, and soul. Both otherworldly and achingly intimate, this immersive event delves into the intricacies of human memory alongside the powerful forces that shape the universe. Deemed "GORGEOUS - A MUST SEE!" (TimeOut New York), Christian's utterly singular work explores the origins of existence and our place within it.
Noor Theatre Features MENA/SWANA Artists
Noor Theatre is thrilled to announce the 11th installment of our
Highlight Reading Series, showcasing work by artists of MENA/SWANA (Middle Eastern/Southwest Asian/North African) descent.
The readings will be spread out throughout the summer and fall. We kicked things off with an internal workshop of Bazeed's Noor-comissioned play Sisters at Sunrise. The series continues later this year with work-in-progress showings of Makram Ayache's The Green Line on August 1, Borna Barzin's Like This on August 14, and Yussef El Guindi's Slay on October 9. These three pieces were selected from a robust open submissions process, and will receive a developmental workshop and a presentation for Noor audiences and industry members. We cannot wait to share these exciting works with you!
Click HERE to reserve free tickets and learn more about each play.
Test Your Broadway Trivia Knowledge for Open Stage Project
Think you know Broadway? Prove it at our Broadway Backstage Trivia Night — an event hosted by The Starchild Rooftop in support of Open Stage Project. From iconic showtunes to behind-the-scenes facts, we’re putting your theatre knowledge to the test. Form a team, compete for prizes, and join a night of fun, connection, and purpose. While signing up is free, donations support Open Stage Project — a New York nonprofit offering free afterschool programs and paid fellowships to young women and nonbinary students pursuing careers behind the scenes in theatre, film, and TV. Your support helps us uplift today’s backstage professionals while building a more inclusive future for the next generation.
Spots are limited — RSVP now and be part of the magic behind the curtain!
August 25th, 7:00–9:00 PM The Starchild Rooftop at the Civilian Hotel
The Make Good Project introduces New Program “Playmates”
The Make Good Project has had a busy summer, just returning from their annual retreat. This year, we were on Martha's Vineyard, drawing from the rich African-American history on the island as inspiration for our work - which included a writing exercise originated by playwright Paula Vogel called a "Bake-Off." Using Beyonce's song "Ameriican Requiem" as a jumping off point, participants had 48 hours to include several "ingredient" prompts in their work of art. We will continue to hold Bake-Offs in the near future.
The Make Good Project is happy to announce "Playmates," a new program from The Make Good Project! We’re kicking things off with a special group outing to see CALL ME IZZY.
Date: Thursday, August 14th, 2025 at 7:00pm
Location: Studio 54
Six-time Emmy Award winner and Tony Award nominee Jean Smart is back on Broadway in CALL ME IZZY. It's a tour-de-force portrayal of a writer whose words are her greatest gift, her biggest secret, and her only way out. Jean's received rave reviews for her solo performance with critics calling her "transfixing," "remarkable," and "a triumph!" Our night out will also include a post-show talkback led by No Book Bans. The show has partnered with human rights organizations to host these talkbacks, designed to educate and spark meaningful dialogue, making it a perfect fit for our community and mission.
Tickets will be around $75. Please fill out the interest form by Saturday, August 9th if interested follow the link in the button below!
Following the play, The Make Good Project will share a writing prompt inspired by the show, and then come back together on Zoom to discuss what the experience stirred up. Their virtual gathering will take place on August 28th from 7:00 to 8:30 PM.
The Make Good Project will also begin their monthly drop-in "Do the Write Thing" series in partnership with The Dream Center in Harlem, beginning Saturday, September 6th from 10:30am-12:30pm.
For more info and to RSVP, please follow them on social media: @makegoodproject
Save the date for 2025 RISE Summit. Tickets will be available soon!
September 9, 2025 at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
