There’s no place like Broadway, and BroadwayCon is a place where theatre fans can converge with artists to celebrate shows and the people who bring them to life. Highlights of the event include celebrity panels, performances, talkbacks, workshops, keynotes, concerts as well as a theatrical marketplace – all in the heart of New York’s legendary theatre district.

The convention – theatre’s answer to comic con – was conceived by Melissa Anelli, Stephanie Dornheim and Anthony Rapp, and is produced in partnership with Playbill. Rapp, an original performer in Rent, said of the first-ever event:

“I signed on to help create this event not only because it is the first convention for theatre fans, and not only because it is a singular opportunity to spend quality time with those who love Broadway most, but because this is the convention that this community deserves.”

A look at Broadway behind the scenes and its creative teams will be covered from taking a show from page to stage to adapting stage plays for the screen, from creating a cast recording to costumer tips and tricks. Attendees also will have the opportunity to learn why favorite shows close and how to launch a nonprofit theatre company.

The inaugural convention will feature Hamilton cast members Lin-Manuel Miranda, Leslie Odom, Jr., Phillipa Soo, René Elise Goldsberry, Daveed Diggs and Arianna DeBose; Billy Porter (Kinky Boots); James Monroe Iglehart (Aladdin); Tamika Lawrence (If/Then); Michael McElroy (Rent); Marisha Wallace (Something Rotten!).

Ultimately, the event – which will feature more than 100 happenings – is designed to give the attendee the most memorable experience possible. Unlike other conventions, autographs and photo opportunities will be free. “We are creating content that will inspire, excite and just plain entertain,” Rapp said. The schedule, times and guests will be finalized the closer to the event.

“Conceived and created by people who live and love theatre,” BroadwayCon will be Jan. 22-24, at the New York Hilton Midtown hotel. The initial ticket block offered Oct. 17 sold out in hours, according to the event website. The third and final batch of tickets is on sale now.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS in their work to help people who have been affected by HIV/AIDS.

We’ll be there! Make sure to get your tickets and check out the panel on diversity moderated by the Editorial Director and Founder of Broadway Black, Andrew Shade. Details below

We are entering a time where many of this nation’s ills are being brought to the forefront of social consciousness. It seems that every week, we the people are seeing more places where healing is greatly needed and one of humanity’s greatest healers is the arts.

This is the first in a series of articles where we get to know a few of the artists across the country who are using their work for activism and awareness regarding important subjects and conversations vital to society’s growth.

This is the final weekend for a new play, Moon Man Walk, by Philadelphia based playwright, four-time Barrymore Award winner, and 2015 Pew Fellow, James Ijames (prononced: eye-ms); it is a play about finding love and family secrets with a bit of magic. Mr. Ijames astounded audiences last summer with his tragicomedy, The Most Spectacularly Lamentable Trial of Miz Martha Washington and this time, with Moon Man Walk, Ijames is exploring relationships between mothers and sons, specifically in black families. While very aware that familial themes are universal and his work can be and is enjoyed by all audience members, Ijames writes, “…very specifically to black people. The humor, the diction, the structure, are all subverting the white gaze…I always think I’m writing something that is going to be exclusive to a black viewer, but it never ends up that way.I’m always proving that we are all very different but we are all very much the same.” It is this last statement that very succinctly sums up the need for diversity in the arts as well as the cornerstone of artistic activism: to celebrate rather than to further divide.

As far as the role of the playwright in artistic activism, Ijames believes that it plays a very specific and unique part. “I think a large part of the ‘talent’ of a playwright is being able to feel the full wave of history. To not just be living in the moment but to examine the current moment and write about what you think this moment in time will have to say to us in 10 years. The playwright is prophetic in that way…I believe that part of my job is to have that kind of cultural sensitivity.” This sensitivity is what has made iconic playwrights in the past which is why their works are still revered today. In all of human history, the one tradition that has remained as the first tool of education has been storytelling. This art has provided not only entertainment, but also vital instruction on interaction and survival.

In the struggle for true equality it is important that a variety of stories are told on the artistic platform. All good stories are based in truth, and that truth is best found from those who have lived it. This is why artists and creators of color are so necessary moving forward. America needs to see and relate to this truth in order to be free.

Orbiter 3 presents Moon Man Walk by James Ijames is running now until July 19th at the Prince Theater Independent Black Box in Philadelphia. It is directed by Edward Sobel and stars Lindsay Smiling, Jaylene Clark Ownes, Aimé Donna Kelly, and Carlo Campbell.

Following this production, James Ijames’ newest work, WHITE, will be presented in the 2015 PlayPenn New Play Conference. WHITE explores the concept of visual art and who truly gets to make “black art”.

For tickets and more information on Moon Man Walk, visit www.orbiter3.com
For tickets and more information on the 2015 PlayPenn New Play Conference, visit www.playpenn.org
For information on James Ijames, visit www.jamesijames.com