Spotlight
Stories that deserve your attention
Please Stop Looking Down on Community Theatre
“Having been involved in community theatre for over 40 years…yes, I admit it and do it proudly….I have personally seen this wonderful genre from multiple sides. As an actor, producer, stage manager, director….I have seen it. And the benefits that have been reaped have contributed to many aspects of my life, socially and privately.”
Finding the Right Theater Group Can Do Wonders for You
“To find a theater group with a healthy dynamic undoubtedly means to find a second home.”
It's Fine to Turn Down a Role, So Stop Punishing Performers Who Do
“It’s completely okay for actors to turn down roles, and directors need to be mature enough not to punish them for it down the road.”
Theatre Cancels Show Over Racial Discrimination Claim Regarding Casting
“A community theatre in Arizona is facing backlash today over canceling a show due to a complaint of racial discrimination over the removal of a non-Mexican-American performer cast in a role written for that heritage.”
Community Theatres, Thank Your Actors
“This Thanksgiving, I am overwhelmingly grateful for all of the wonderful artists I’ve worked with this year, most of all those who have donated their time and talents to the pursuit of making art. Don’t forget to give thanks for everyone who makes community theatre possible.”
Why Local Theatres Shouldn't Solely Depend on Town Government Funding
“In such situations, theatres might find themselves at the mercy of political decisions that may not necessarily align with their artistic and community-driven goals. This vulnerability compromises the artistic integrity of local theatres.”
A Standing Ovation of Gratitude: Thank You, Community Theatre Actors
“In a world that can often be divisive and chaotic, you remind us that the stage is a place where differences are celebrated, where stories are told, and where hearts are opened.”
Community Theatre Under Fire for Knowingly Casting Sex Offender in Shows with Minors
“A community theatre in Utah is facing outrage after it was discovered they had cast a convicted sexual abuser in multiple shows with minors in the ensemble. To make matters worse, the parents of the minors were never notified a sex offender would be in close contact with their children.”
Leavenworth’s Multi-Decade Run of 'The Sound of Music' is a Great Theatre Success Story
‘Leavenworth Summer Theatre is ultimately a great success story for theatre. I hope it sparks some great ideas all over the country.”
Facing multiple allegations, director resigns from 'Cabaret' right before it opens
“A local theatre community in Wisconsin was rocked last week when the director of their upcoming production of Cabaret abruptly resigned from the production just days before it opened. The resignation was apparently in response to multiple allegations against the director.”
Want To Make Your Community Theatre More Inclusive? Try Casting Different People
“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.”
The Fleetingness of Theatre
“Theatre creates something that wasn’t there before, and those of us who share in the beauty of that experience must live through the loss of letting it go.”