So maybe your next season includes a musical or play that calls for real animals and you’re a little worried. As humans, we can’t be in control of an animal’s every move. What we can do is make sure our show is respectful, safe, and well prepared. If you’re a community theatre looking into a play that requires animals, you might need some additional support.

“On June 10th, the staff at the Old Creamery Theatre Company posted a statement of support for the Black Lives Matter movement and an action plan to do better on their social media platforms. Within days, the theatre’s Board of Trustees demanded they take down the post. Weeks later, the board fired ten of the eleven staff members. While the board is citing budget cuts as the reason for the terminations, the former staff aren’t so sure about that.”

While the COVID-19 shutdown sadly canceled many spring high school musicals, it’s never too early to start thinking about next year and what material these schools should select. So here are seven suggestions. Some of these you may have already produced and some you might now know. It should also be mentioned that all of these shows are licensable.

“The song comes off as an advocate for us to all be passive bystanders in systemic racism, rather than active bystanders.”

“Actor Erich Schuett has accused writer Louis “Chip” Deffaa of exposing himself while the two were on a hike earlier this week. The 16-year-old posted a detailed account of what occurred on his Facebook page. When asked to comment on the allegation, Mr. Deffaa confirmed much of Mr. Schuett’s statement but denies the allegation that he “exposed” himself and that ‘absolutely no crime took place.’ However, the New Jersey State Police have filed a complaint against Mr. Deffaa for lewdness.”

“We shouldn’t be looking to theatre to present perfectly accurate historiographies. All we can really expect from these shows is for them to be respectful with their narratives.”

“If virtual performance or production is something that interests you, I encourage you to take part. If that sounds like something that isn’t your cup of tea, I respect that entirely. But there’s no reason to imply that anyone isn’t a real theatre maker because of that choice.”

“Here are five reasons why you should drop everything you’re doing, track down the filmed version of Passing Strange, and watch it right now.”

“Native American people, First Nations people, Algonquin people, The People of the Dawnland were left out HAMILTON, and it was no accident. Lin-Manuel Miranda is a brilliant and deliberate writer, and this was a deliberate and conscious decision. We could have easily had a passing mention, but we’re excluded for a reason. We don’t fit the “we are all immigrants” narrative.”

“You do not have to write a play during the shutdown. You do not have to choreograph something transformative during the shutdown. You do not need to memorize every Shakespeare play during the shutdown. Existing is enough.”

“While many regional theatres across the country continue to be closed due to the pandemic, some aren’t being so patient. In fact, some are so desperate to reopen, they’re dropping their Equity status so they don’t have to adhere to the union’s safety protocols.”

“I believe Wicked can be inspirational for both young and old: it genuinely depicts that life can be hard, people cruel and some dreams impossible to come true, but no matter what, fighting for what we believe in – even if it seems a lost cause – is worth it and, in one way or another, pays off.”