“There are some people out there who might actually be wondering why those of us who love theatre LOVE Les Misérables. Maybe they think it is overrated, or maybe they’ve never actually seen a production of it and – as a result – cannot possibly understand why we won’t stop talking about this show three decades after it first premiered. For this reason, I’ve decided to make a shortlist that can help make things clearer for those people.”

“I speak from personal experience when I say there are many different benefits that come with studying theatre, some of which I’ll admit that I didn’t know about myself until I actually went to college.”

“Even for those who don’t plan on going into the arts as a career, many young students could benefit from a requirement that they take at least one or two acting classes.”

“It sickens me whenever I hear that youth theatre programs in any part of the country are among the most likely to receive cuts in funding from state and local budgets when that could hinder the progress made as a result of their work.”

“I see theatres take pride in saying how inclusive and welcoming they are toward many people, I couldn’t help but notice something: Many of them also cast the exact same people in the lead roles of nearly every show that they do.”