Spotlight
Stories that deserve your attention
CT theatre director arrested after admitting to sexually abusing teens
“A former theatre director in Connecticut has been arrested after being charged with sexual assault after admitting to abusing multiple teenage girls. The arrest comes after the allegations were made public over three years ago.”
Podcast details allegations and mental health crisis at prominent regional theatre
“In 2019, actor Sean Hayden experienced a mental health crisis while working as a lead actor at one of the most prestigious and powerful theaters in the U.S., the Goodspeed Opera House. Now, four years later, Hayden is discussing what happened backstage that led to his mental health crisis.”
When a casting director tried to date me, rather than cast me
"I’ve just left a dinner with a well-known casting director. He had asked me to join him to talk about the potential he sees in me and learn about my career goals. I thought that’s all we would talk about. I was wrong."
No Live Music in Musicals?
“Here Lies Love” stands to be the first true Broadway musical not to use any live musicians at all. If the special council votes in favor of the producers, it could radically change what a musical IS. And changing that definition would significantly impact how we define art and artists in this country.
Nazi imagery removed from 6th grade production of The Sound of Music
Fullerton School District made news this week when the Superintendent of Schools announced that all Nazi imagery would be removed from their 6th Grade production of “The Sound of Music.”
Florida Teacher Under Investigation for Showing a Movie with a Gay Character to Her Classroom
“ A Florida teacher is under a state investigation by the Florida Department of Education after showing the movie Strange World to her fifth-grade class, which contains a gay character.”
School classes abruptly leave 'School of Rock' mid-performance due to "inappropriate" content
“Multiple classes from two different schools abruptly left a recent performance of the musical ‘School of Rock’ due to what teachers felt was inappropriate content. The departure occurred in the middle of the show and caused a disturbance among the audience.”
How Theatre Helped Me Battle Low Self-Esteem
“It is OK to take up the space you require. The world needs you to take up the space you require.”
A Disneyland fireworks show is going viral for its music
“Over the weekend, footage from a Disneyland fireworks show went viral not due to its spectacular visuals, but its music arrangement, which is tugging the heartstrings of many a Disney and theatre fan.”
“Sex Witch” is a healing piece
“Sex Witch” is able to Trojan Horse a haunting true narrative about trauma and cult mentality into a levitous, deftly irreverent comedy about pretending to be a witch as a teenager. It is a devious masterclass on how to tell your own story.
Texas school cancels field trip to children's theatre after parents complain about cross-gender casting
“A Texas elementary school has canceled its field trip to see a production of ‘James & the Giant Peach’ at a local theatre after a parent complained about actors portraying both female and male roles.”