Spotlight
Stories that deserve your attention
'It's a joke' : Heartless Monsters Mock Content Warnings at 'Romeo & Juliet'
“London's famous Globe Theatre is warning audience members about 'upsetting' themes in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and, not surprisingly, close-minded politicians and heartless performers in the community have chosen to mock the theatre for this move rather than support it.”
Our American Theatre Culture Enables Abusers of Power
‘In a profession where one’s greatest strength is attributed as being open, vulnerable, and expressive, abuses of power can abound if boundaries are not clearly understood and respected by all parties.”
Sir Cameron Mackintosh says transgender casting would "damage the integrity" of classic shows
Super-producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh recently unloaded a wave of transphobic comments to a U.K. news site declaring he opposes transgender casting in classic shows because he considers it “gimmick casting” and such a decision would “damage the integrity of the original storylines”.
The Unfair Pressure On Performers of Having to Grow Social Media Followings to Land Gigs
“I just wish performers who suffer from the stresses of social media, didn’t feel forced to engage in it because industry experts are telling them that their jobs can depend on it.”
"Why the green girl is never Black?": Racism in casting
“Elphaba has never been played by a Black woman full time in the United States. A character, who is painted green for the entire production, has almost always been played by a white woman full-time in America. One argument defending this is that theatre should not “be political,” or “politically correct,” and that the role should just go to “the best person.” To this, I ask you – why do you believe that the best person is never Black?”
The Alice Ripley Allegations Have Started a Needed Conversation and the Theatre Community Isn't Ready
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.
CA Youth Theatre Director Abused Children for Decades
“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.”
Should Broadway Really Open Up in September?
“Demand for shows is not what it was, and COVID is wreaking havoc on the country. Should Broadway delay its opening?”
An Open Letter to Laura Osnes
“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.”
Laura Osnes' vaccine flap is dangerous, dumb and shouldn't be forgotten
“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.”
Producing Diverse Playwrights’ Work Should Be the New Normal
“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.”
"The Chipmunk Adventure" is an underrated movie musical gem
“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.”