“This win sends a clear message to universities and lawmakers everywhere: performance is speech. Creative expression is a right. And drag, as a form of storytelling and identity, absolutely belongs in the canon of protected theatrical work.”

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.

“President Walk's decision to resign, rather than steering the university through this challenging period, is a glaring act of betrayal. At a time when students and staff needed reassurance, stability, and clear direction, Walk chose to walk away.”

“If your college theatre program is one of those out there that does what it can to put on new plays by new playwrights each year, you should be proud.”

“In my BA program, I am not just learning what theatre is and how to create it, but also what art is and how it pertains to the world around us.”

Although the world of musical theatre is slowly becoming more diverse and inclusive, our look still plays an important part in casting. In some cases, being in an industry that places so much focus on your body can lead you down a dangerous path. It took me years to love my short, slightly thicker body and to be perfectly honest; I'm still working on it.

“As someone who looked at programs both large and small, I can tell you from experience that the differences are significant. The most important thing is to choose the school that is best suited to you as an individual. That being said, let me tell you how I fell in love with my small college Theatre program.”

It is a reality of our world that bringing creative work to life costs money. The training, whether private lessons or group classes or university studies, can become prohibitively expensive. What do we do when we, as individuals, simply don’t have the money?

So your friend has auditioned for your show.

Before casting them in the role that they have written down on the audition form, go through this checklist to make sure you’re not practicing nepotism, which in the workplace, is illegal!

This is the time of the year where the college decision process should be finalizing. A decision like this should not be made hastily. Take your time and do the research that's most important to you. But if you or your parents aren't exactly sure what to do first, here is a checklist of things to ask colleges as you come down the final stretch of making a decision.

This is the time of year where many college students are either returning to their various theatre programs are beginning them. As someone who works in college education myself, I am well aware of what colleges should be doing to make their programs worthwhile for their students. 

However, employing shitty faculty members is far from one of them.