Spotlight
Stories that deserve your attention
"The Prom" - The perfect movie musical for the 2020 audience
“All in all, The Prom is a fun time. Sit back and enjoy.”
Trying to figure out the hoopla surrounding "Spotify Wrapped"
“On December 2, Spotify released their signature “Spotify Wrapped” feature for the year, and just as expected, every participant of the streaming platform fawned over it once it hit their accounts. This year-in-review feature for music lovers that is personalized to each listener featured everything from top five songs, to analytics on what genre was listened to the most. The release of the feature was such a hit, made clear by the overwhelming reaction by listeners.”
Addressing the backlash to the "Ratatouille" musical benefit concert
“While I certainly understand and agree with those railing that vast changes in the industry are needed, I don’t think a one-time concert of Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical is the dartboard to be aiming at.”
Fan community rallies for Broadway stage doorman
“For years, Ernest J, Paylor has been a friendly face to many a Broadway fan. Working as a stage doorman at the Broadhurst Theatre, which currently houses Jagged Little Pill, Mr. Paylor not only protects the cast and crew but also make sure that stage door meet and greets are fun, safe, and accessible.
So when Mr. Paylor was hospitalized with a serious medical condition, those same fans didn’t hesitate to rally behind him.”
Be Humble On Stage, But Believe In Yourself
“I think there's a misconception in our society that we shouldn't boast, so we don't let the good stuff sink in. That's the wrong approach. Let it sink in, know the difference between confidence and cocky, but know all of the good traits you have as well as areas of opportunity.”
The eternal value of stolen props
“In an industry as changeable and brutal as theatre, memories and the items that enhance them are worth their weight in gold, not only to keep us connected to the shows and people in our past but also to remind us during the darker days of our careers why we do what we do.”
'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' - A Timeless Cult Classic or Outdated Jab to the Queer Community?
“Is Frank-N-Furter to be looked at with admiration for being a bold queer character, or should we question the movie’s creators for equating queer characters as aliens and artificial science experiments?”
The Benefits of a Small College Theatre Program
“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.”
Stop criticizing artists who leave NYC during the pandemic
“There is something I am noticing which I find very bizarre - there is this wave of artists on social media who are getting attacked and criticized for leaving New York City during the pandemic.”
A Random Prompt Generator Challenge for Bored Playwrights
“How are you feeling these days? With the loss of in-person theatre and the impossibility of large gatherings for the foreseeable future, it’s been hard to get the creative juices flowing. And honestly? I’m actually getting tired of lying around in bed, waiting for things to change. I want to create things again! I want to feel excited about a project again! So I’m giving this a try.”
I tried making a 10 minute improv musical. Here’s how it went
“People should create because they like it, it improves their mood and it develops their skills. This is where my 10-minute musical lives.”
My theatre "thank you" list
“Thanksgiving is an ageless tradition, full of friends, family, delicious food, and gratitude. During this season of thanks, I wanted to talk about all the things I am thankful for in theatre.”