So frequently in my rehearsal rooms, or in my classrooms, I hear theatre artists decry politics. There seems to be an idea that one must learn their craft in a hermetically sealed bubble, lest the influences of the banal and mundane workings of the outside world impose themselves upon the art. In the theatre, though, nothing could be farther from the truth.

The fact is that ALL theatre is political. The Public Theatre’s Oskar Eustis has said that it can be no coincidence that theatre and democracy were invented in at the same time. He says “I think that theater is the democratic art—it's no mistake that they were invented in the same city in the same decade. It's the proper place to exercise democratic virtue, for the contesting of different points of view, identifying with other people, what citizens need”.

Community Theatre, High School Theatre, Off Broadway, Regional Theatre, BroadwayChristopher PetersonDecember 29, 2018C. Austin Hill

Dear Theatre Students, Don't Throw Away Your Shot!

Dear theatre students,

We’ve met before, but as a reminder, my name is Chris and I am a theatre professor. While I might not be YOUR theatre professor, and while I don’t claim to speak for ALL theatre professors, I wanted to take just a moment to talk about your futures. I think what I have to say is important to those of you in college theatre programs, and also those of you who are hoping to go into a college theatre program—but perhaps other theatre artists, in various stages in their careers, might find some utility in my advice.

College, ObservationsChristopher PetersonApril 5, 2018C. Austin Hill

Subscribe