Spotlight
Stories that deserve your attention
Optional masks for Broadway audiences was inevitable, but is it time?
“We all knew that this day would come at some point, but in my opinion, we are not nearly there yet.”
Making "Weird Art" is the only way Broadway evolves for years to come
“Broadway can survive on the tourist-attracting shows. But the only way it evolves into something better and bolder is by having weird art grace its stages.”
Tony Takeaways: 2022 Edition
“For the first time in two years, the Tonys came back in their familiar form of a big splashy awards show. There were highlights and surprises. I saw some things I loved and loathed. But more importantly, it felt like this year’s ceremony laid the groundwork for what will hopefully be a transformative time for Broadway theatre”
UNCSA has been exposed as a bastion of abuse. But real change is within reach.
“Everything at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts is about maintaining a facade. But after decades of abuse, secrets, and lies, an expertly crafted facade is finally crumbling.”
Arts Education: Not Everything We Value Needs to Be “Compulsory"
“I have absolutely no interest whatsoever in seeing the arts treated the way we treat P.E., science, or math. I don’t even think we should be treating those subjects the way we treat them now.”
A Candid Conversation About Awards Shows (Tonys, I’m looking at you)
“The Tonys are supposed to celebrate theater, to share what we do with the world, and honor those who have created masterful work over the course of the year. But it’s become utterly, transparently obvious that that’s not what the Tonys or pretty much any awards show is about.
It’s about politics.”
The Tonys should bring back the award for replacement cast members
“The Tonys need new elements to draw interest and ratings. One way to do that is to recognize the truly great performances by replacement cast members.”
Middle School Theatre Director under fire for profanity-laced rant at students
“A theatre teacher at a Kansas middle school is under fire today over an alleged incident during performances of Basehor-Linwood Middle School's production of “Charlotte's Web”. The teacher is accused of launching into a profanity-laced rant directed at students over missed lines and other mishaps that occurred during the production.”
Dear Theatre, You Complete Me
“Theatre touches something deep within me, and that happens whether I’m working on a show or am an audience member watching one. Just being around art, in all forms, is a satisfying experience for me.”
Can We Stop Bashing Jukebox Musicals For Simply Being Jukebox Musicals?
“Some have said that a jukebox musical lacks creativity. I would argue that musicals can lack creativity with an original score or not.”
Justin Timberlake starring in 'The Music Man' May Be Good For Him, But Bad For The Culture.
“Justin Timberlake is a bizarre choice to replace Jackman, and not really for the reasons one might think.”
We NEED more efficient ways to categorize audition material
There’s been a hushed question whispered through audition halls and between performer friends at coffee shops growing ever more frequent especially in the last five to ten years…
“What exactly do they mean when they say they want a ‘Contemporary Musical Theater Song?’”