I have never felt it useful for actors to read their own reviews.  I did it as a young actor, as most do.  I was looking for affirmation but when I didn’t receive it, it was foolishly heartbreaking.  Of course any review is only one person’s opinion.  Whether that opinion should carry more weight than that of your director or producer or writer or mother is questionable.  But the bottom line is that actors don’t have the power to change anything.  

Months ago, I was watching a musical that included some very impressive choreography. It didn't hurt that this local production also had quite a number of talented dancers in the ensemble. 

One moment in particular that I found most impressive was a group tap number, but even when the company did synchronized wings, the audience hardly reacted. However the moment that four characters did a kickline, you would have thought they were receiving a standing ovation. 

You go to school, you go to class. You sit and listen to the teacher. You absorb everything like a sponge, work through the new techniques in class, with your scene partners, and at home alone.

Then you notice everything you learn in the performances you watch.

And it never. Goes. Away.

Cyber space is full of weird and wonderful conspiracy theories. Alongside the invasion of aliens, and thousands of top secret governmental plans, there have been proposed some fantastic ideas about popular theatrical productions. In this blog, I am going to summarise some of the best conspiracy theories that I could find based on the musical Hamilton (and these really are just about the musical; they have no historical grounding at all). Whether or not you believe them, these theories are definitely food for thought.

Theatre is complicated, no matter what your role. Professionals make it look easy, as any professional in any field does. Stage managers have their blocking, cues, line notes. Actors think about their obstacles and objectives and using their favorite techniques. Costumers need to find or create costumes; sound designers need to make the perfect sounds and lighting designers need to make the perfect light mixtures.

Hopefully, you are doing your part in theatre out of love and passion. Hopefully, what you’re doing isn’t a chore and is something you actually love.

Hopefully, you’re actually having fun.

In August of 1955, about four months after Grace Kelly first met Prince Rainier III of Monaco while attending the Cannes Film Festival, an item about an optimistic group’s plan to put on a Broadway musical called Las Vegas appeared in The New York Times. Producer Melvin Parks described it as “a $250,000 musical…which will, of course, be about and take place in the Nevada resort.” Harold Karr and Matt Dubey had written the score, and Philip Burton, a British television and stage writer, and father of Richard Burton, had reportedly written the book. Parks expected “a famous Hollywood film mogul” to provide nearly all of the capitol. In December of that year, a month before Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III announced their engagement, another item appeared in the Times, announcing the temporary cancelation of Las Vegas, and the departure of the songwriting team, “by ‘mutual agreement.’”

When you live in the world of theater, you come in contact with all kinds of people. This is how you make friends and create lasting bonds. However, not every person you come across will be, well, in polite terms- friendly. Whether you’re an actor, a director, a stage manager, a techie, or a producer- we have all encountered the dreaded Stage

When I was 17, I auditioned for my dream role. I knew the cast album by heart, I thought I was the perfect fit for the role; no one else would be better than I was. I didn't get the part I wanted but I accepted a part in the ensemble thinking that all I needed was to be gracious and be a part of the show.

I regret it.

I want you to do me a favor. The next time you see a Broadway show, or any show for that matter, I want to you pay very close attention the lead actors and I want you to consider this question, 

Could a fuller-figured performer play that role? Would it have changed your perception of the show at all?

The answers, if you're smart, should be yes and then no. 

Actors, actresses - cast your minds back to the first show you ever did. Can you remember the director? Can you remember the feeling of hanging on their every word because you know that this person will train you to be the best you can be?