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Observations OnStage Blog Staff Observations OnStage Blog Staff

It's Time We Redefine How We Use the Term "#BlackExcellence" in the Arts

“I personally feel Black Excellence begins when a black person chooses to pursue their craft and emphatically says in their heart "I'm gonna do this. Stay out of my way!". Even though the adversity they probably go through, they don't give up, they see that light at the end of the tunnel, and they do it! That, to me, is Black Excellence! “

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Observations Christopher Peterson Observations Christopher Peterson

Do Not Censor 'Ragtime'

“It’s more important than ever that we allow shows like ‘Ragtime’ to be performed uncensored even though racial slurs are in the script. We can't keep saying racism is wrong without showing what racism actually is.”

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Observations OnStage Blog Staff Observations OnStage Blog Staff

Dear White Theater People, It is Not the Job of the Black Artist to Change the Industry. It’s Ours.

“Artists of color, specifically Black artists, should not have to fight for this, educate us on this, or work to change our worldview. White members of the theater community, this is on OUR shoulders. Consider this your call to arms: you must use your privilege as a white person to amplify the voices of people that are not.”

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Observations OnStage Blog Staff Observations OnStage Blog Staff

Theater is Not “On Demand”

“Even with all these recorded performances, people can enjoy while they’re quarantining, this pandemic has taught me that we will never take the physical togetherness of experiencing live, intimate moments in artistic spaces for granted ever again.”

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Observations Christopher Peterson Observations Christopher Peterson

Why Do We Love Bad Boys In Musicals?

“Bad Boys. The ones our mothers warned us away from, but we can’t resist. The world of musicals has a knack for creating male characters we hate to love, giving us eye candy and attitude all in one. But what is it about them that we can’t get enough of?”

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Observations OnStage Blog Staff Observations OnStage Blog Staff

How Theatre Producers Can Use Alternative Marketing Activations to Build Brand Awareness

“You’re asking the wrong question if you’re trying to replicate the “live theatre experience” over digital spaces. Instead, ask how does my audience engage with my show’s brand outside of the two hours they’re in the theater (if they ever even see it in person)? How can I extend my show’s brand to different formats I haven’t yet considered or explored?”

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