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Sydney, March 29 (Ians) Despite being severely low on immunity levels, blood cancer patients generate strong responses against Sars-CoV-2 after vaccination, on par with that of healthy individuals, according to a research.

Researchers from the University of Melbourne undertook the most comprehensive analysis of adaptive Sars-CoV-2 immunity to date in haematology patients of varying diseases and treatments across three doses of Covid-19 vaccination in comparison to healthy individuals.

The findings published in the journal Cell Reports Medicine shows that blood cancer patients highly benefit from receiving three doses of vaccination.

The vaccines boost their levels of T cells, the white blood cells that kill viral infected cells, irrespective of the patient’s B-cell numbers and antibody response.

“It is important to really understand vaccine efficacy in this immuno-suppressed high-risk group of patients to help prevent severe Sars-CoV-2 infection,” said Dr Oanh Nguyen, Senior Research Fellow at the varsity’s Peter Doherty...

Today’s top casting notices includes more than a dozen roles for The Chance Theater’s production of the musical “A Chorus Line.” Additionally, opportunities for teenage-looking talent to feature in a music video, and a supporting role in an Indian action film is also available. Find your next audition here! “A Chorus Line”Director Oanh Nguyen is casting the musical “A Chorus Line” for The Chance Theater. The production centers on 17 dancers auditioning for a new potentially career-making Broadway musical. Casting seeks the lead role of Zach, 18 supporting roles (nine females and nine males), as well as members of the chorus. Auditions occur March 28 and 30 in Anaheim, California. The musical pays $550 total for the production run (22 performances). Rehearsals begin May 16. Performances run from July 1–31 with the possibility of an extension through Aug. 7. Music VIDEOCastifi & Terrero Digital seeks talent to play high schoolers hanging around a football field for a music video.

The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle, which consists of L.A.-area theater journalists in various media, has announced nominees and special awards for its 41st annual awards ceremony, to be held March 22 at Burbank’s Colony Theatre.Awards will be given in 20 categories, honoring excellence in theater over the past year. Eight special awards will include a special citation to actor Kirk Douglas for his lifetime contribution to Los Angeles theatre, as well as the new Milton Katselas Award for career or special achievement in direction, sponsored by Camelot Artists.The 2009 Special Awards include:– The Ted Schmitt Award for the world premiere of an outstanding new play: Julie Marie Myatt for the bittersweet domestic drama "The Happy Ones," which premiered at South Coast Repertory. The award is accompanied by an offer to publish and a $1,000 check funded by Samuel French, Inc.– The Polly Warfield Award for an excellent season...

East West Players (Ewp), the nation's premier Asian American theatre, continues its 44th season, themed Art Is..., with the west coast premiere of Po Boy Tango, by Kenneth Lin. This production will be directed by the artistic director of The Chance Theater in Orange County, Oanh Nguyen. It will bring back to the Ewp stage two of Ewp's veteran actors, Jeanne Sakata and Dennis Dun and introduce African American actress Cece Antoinette.

Jeff Favreproduction: A Beautiful View, Son of Semele Theatre; Robots vs. Fake Robots, Powerhouse Theatre; Shipwrecked! An Entertainment, Geffen Playhouse.Playwriting: David Largman Murray, Robots vs. Fake Robots.Direction: Don Boughton, A Beautiful View; John Doyle, Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Center Theatre Group, Ahmanson Theatre; Tiger Reel, Cartoon, Art/Works Theatre; Elise Robertson, The Women, Circus Theatricals.Music Direction: Sarah Travis, Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Scenic Design: Simon Higlett, The School of Night, Center Theatre Group, Mark Taper Forum; Christine Jones, Spring Awakening, Center Theatre Group, Ahmanson Theatre; Anthony Ward, My Fair Lady, Center Theatre Group, Ahmanson Theatre.Lighting Design: Russell H. Champa, The School of Night; Richard Jones, Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street.Costume Design: Anthony Ward, My Fair Lady.Sound Design: Dan Moses Schreier, Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street.Perfomance In A (Primarily) Straight Play:Gregory Itzin,...

South Coast Repertory?s final NewSCRipts reading of the 2008-09 season will be The Happy Ones by Julie Marie Myatt. Directed by Oanh Nguyen and commissioned by Scr, The Happy Ones is the 108th play to receive a staged reading as part of Scr?s venerable play reading program. Myatt?s My Wandering Boy received its World Premiere production at Scr in 2007 as part of the Pacific Playwrights Festival. The NewSCRipts reading of The Happy Ones will take place on March 2 at 7:30 p.m. on the Julianne Argyros Stage. Tickets are $12 each and may be purchased online at www.scr.org, by phone at (714) 708-5555 or in person at the Scr box office.