In light of the allegations against Alice Ripley, a conversation about interactions between theatre artists and fans has erupted online. But there are aspects to this story that many seem to be missing, especially within the theatre communities.

“While Joseph Brian Houg will certainly be spending a substantial amount of his remaining life in jail, it doesn’t necessarily repair the damage he inflicted on the youth theatre community in Los Gatos for decades. Because Joseph Brian Houg regularly used his positions in the school and theatre to abuse children.”

“Demand for shows is not what it was, and COVID is wreaking havoc on the country. Should Broadway delay its opening?”

“Being a paid performer is a privilege, a wonderful, joyous privilege. With privilege comes responsibility, and yes, as someone who is receiving money from paying public customers, you do have a responsibility to treat their health as safely as possible.”

“Interestingly enough, I’m not as pissed off that Laura Osnes isn’t vaccinated and seemingly believes in dumb conspiracy theories, as I am that her actions put everyone involved in potential danger.”

“With all due respect to white playwrights who have been dead for decades, many of the intricacies and nuances of their work have already been discovered. We know their stories. It is time for something new. It is time for new perspectives and lives to be seen on the stage. That can only happen with a diverse pool of playwright work being presented.”

“In the midst of this weird decade for animation, in 1987 a film came out that I would later realize had a huge impact on my love of singing and dancing, The Chipmunk Adventure.”

“The theatrical community has lost one of its greatest guiding lights. Alvin Ing, a theatrical trailblazer, passed away this week at the age of 89.”

“If the performing arts are so good for us, and bring us abundant benefits, why do they also influence us so negatively? How can a space be our absolute safest, and also the source of our distress?”

There is the scapegoat comment that I have heard a lot of theatre professionals say to actors and actresses for years and years now: To be grateful or thankful for the opportunity every time an issue arises and a performer speaks up about it. I think that is such a stupid and outdated thing to say.

“I’m so glad we’ve finally started having a conversation about how racism at Actors’ Equity and shady business practices are hurting artists but we haven’t had an airing out of the day-to-day policies that are making our working lives a living hell.”

“In what can only be described as a momentous change in professional theatre, the Actors’ Equity Association announced sweeping adjustments to its membership policies that will now allow any professional actor or stage manager to join the union. Many support the change, many oppose it. Let’s ask some questions.”