PALO ALTO, Calif. – After an investigation into the Palo Alto Children’s Theatre finances, city officials have terminated Director Pat Briggs, effective immediately, according to reports by the Mercury News. The decision marks the end of Briggs’ 47-year career with the theatre.

NEW YORK – Manhattan Theatre Club has announced the recipients of its first Bank of America Playwright Commissioning Program. The three recipients are David Lindsay-Abaire, Noah Haidle and Liz Flahive. 

CHICAGO – Experienced Chicago-based theatre consultant and former Goodman Theatre executive Deborah L. Clapp has been named Interim executive director of the League of Chicago Theatres. She will begin leading the member services and advocacy organization of 200 Chicago-area theatre companies effective immediately. 

NEW YORK — Hailed by critics as the most explosive Broadway musical since Rent, Spring Awakening is a tale of passage from youth to adulthood told in a groundbreaking style taking full advantage of the primal force of rock ‘n’ roll. The winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical in 2007, the show also relies on 20 channels of Shure UHF-R wireless. 

LENOX, Mass – Shakespeare & Company has announced that it has reached its initial goal of $7.5 million in fundraising through its Capital Campaign and is now extending the campaign to a new goal of $10 million. Richard A. Mescon, chairman of the Board of Trustees, made the announcement at the organization's annual gala. Michael A. Miller, past chairman of the board and the chairman of the Capital Campaign, also has announced that an anonymous donor has stepped forward to offer a $1-million challenge grant. Thus, the next $1 million in Capital Campaign donations will be matched by an additional $1 million gift. By meeting this challenge, the company would be poised within $500,000 of its total $10 million Capital Campaign.