Spotlight
Stories that deserve your attention
'The Music Man' Revival's Misapplication of Modernization
“Half-hearted attempts to make something safe, simply dilute the meaning and intention of the texts. These pieces were products of their time, and there should be a certain amount of critical evaluation of them. Sanding off the rough edges in effect removes the means of critiquing the texts as written in their original contexts and as a modern theatregoer. Audiences definitely deserve better.”
Ban of trans & nonbinary student from TX choir highlights anti-LGBTQ+ policies
“Last week, the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas filed federal civil rights complaints against a fine arts public charter school in Fort Worth, TX. The complaint was filed on behalf of a family with a transgender and nonbinary child who was banned from joining a prestigious Texas girl’s choir.”
STARS IN THE HOUSE to host the 20th Anniversary Reunion of 'CAMP'
If you were a theatre kid in the early 2000s, it’s like you loved the movie ‘Camp’. On Aug 23rd, Stars in the House will host a special reunion and concert with members of the cast to celebrate the film’s 20th Anniversary.”
Lesbian couple harassed at U.K. theatre
“A lesbian couple is outraged after they claim they were harassed after kissing at a theatre and were told by theatre staff to move to the back of the house.”
Will we ever get back the cohort that was "Theatre Twitter"?
“One thing that has kept me and others tethered to Twitter is the ability to keep a community that has been built over years, one of these being Theater Twitter."
Australian theatre company's apology, for cutting Black role, falls way short
“Last week, I reported that an Australian theatre company had opened their production of ‘A Chorus Line’ but had removed the role of ‘Richie’ from the show. Drew Anthony Creative, has now apologized for the situation, but their apology fails to offer an explanation of why they thought it was acceptable to cut the role and does not offer any type of atonement to the Black performer community of Perth.”
Drama teacher put on leave after "Angels in America" complaint
A drama teacher at Temecula Valley High School in CA has been put on leave following a complaint from a parent over an assignment involving the play "Angels in America".
Facing multiple allegations, director resigns from 'Cabaret' right before it opens
“A local theatre community in Wisconsin was rocked last week when the director of their upcoming production of Cabaret abruptly resigned from the production just days before it opened. The resignation was apparently in response to multiple allegations against the director.”
High School Theatre Employee convicted for texting illicit images to students
‘A former high school theatre technical specialist is headed to jail after pleading guilty to texting illicit images to his students.”
Director Hasn't Paid Artists, Blames 'Cancel Culture' for Outrage
“On April 15, 2023, the production of Terrence McNally's Corpus Christi finished its run at the Popup Theatre in Denver, CO. As of today, the cast and members of the crew of that show have still not been paid in full by the theatre’s artistic director. Rather than paying them what they are owed, director Christopher Huelshorst calls their outrage “cancel culture” and that they are trying to make him look like a modern-day Harold Hill.”
Professional vs. Community theatres: Make Art, Not War
“With theatres still struggling to regain pre-pandemic audiences, can they keep the doors open? With actors struggling to meet ever-rising expenses for everyday survival, can they work for next to nothing or for free?”
Theatre teacher charged with 21 counts child pornography
“A federal grand jury last month charged a former High School drama teacher with 21 counts of producing and distributing child pornography. Officials say the teacher may have been involved with around 16 minors and that some of the victims were his students.”