Performing Arts

The play Roe shows Norma McCorvey, aka "Jane Roe," (Sarah Bruner) pleading with her doctor (Richard Elmore) to give her an abortion. C. Stanley Photography/Courtesy of Arena Stage hide caption

James Earl Jones stars in August Wilson's Fences in 1985. Fences is one of several plays Wilson premiered at the Yale Repertory Theatre. William B. Carter/Courtesy of Matt Ross Public Relations hide caption

Khoshaba Jaber, an Assyrian living in West London, plays a tambura, a traditional instrument known as the "mother of strings," after singing an epic poem he learned in his boyhood village in northern Iraq. Alice Fordham/NPR hide caption

Lin-Manuel Miranda performs on Hamilton's opening night in August 2015. "It was an enormous challenge to do that show every night," he says. Neilson Barnard/Getty Images hide caption

Actor and activist Jesse Williams says he believes his efforts are making a difference but gives credit to those who inspire him, among them black women and the black LGBTQ community. Melissa Kuypers/NPR hide caption

Starting in October, seven police officers and seven civilians got together once a week to get to know one another and do improvisational exercises. At the end of the 10-week journey they starred in To Protect, Serve, and Understand, a free show at the Brooklyn Music School. Above, Officer Desmond John, left, and Kathie Horejsi. Amanda Hinkle hide caption

Wheeldon says the World's Fair was a natural fit for The Nutcracker's second act. Above, Christine Rocas and Fabrice Calmels. Cheryl Mann/Joffrey/Boneau/Bryan-Brown hide caption

Yoshi Sudarso stars in It's Asian Men! The film counteracts stereotype by showcasing Asian-American men as romantic leads. Jeremy Marinas/@jmarinasphoto hide caption

Jurgen Todenhoefer in 2014 ullstein bild/ullstein bild via Getty Images hide caption

Stephen Agyei (left) and Roy Wood Jr. talk about what it takes to make it in comedy. Jeffrey Nicholson/Courtesy of Stephen Agyei; Mindy Tucker/Courtesy of Roy Wood Jr. hide caption