Spotlight
Stories that deserve your attention
The question that every prospective student should be asking programs but aren’t
“Will I have the opportunity to understudy and/or swing on a mainstage production, and will you teach me how to do it?”
School District Cancels High School Play After Obscenity Complaints
“News is coming out of CA where a school district has canceled the remaining performances of a high school theatre production after they received complaints that the show contained obscene material.”
Changes I Would Make to the Tony Awards
“Here are some of the key updates I'd like to see the Tony Awards make to keep this storied tradition as inclusive, forward-thinking, and impactful as the art form it celebrates.”
High School Theatre Director Accused of Secretly Recording Student
“Last month police arrested Francis Anonia, the former chorus teacher and Director of Visual and Performing Arts at Parkland High School in PA. He's accused of secretly recording video of a student while he changed clothes.”
Nine Times Musical Theatre Nodded Toward Polyamory
“I recently caught a song, on a cast recording that I rarely listen to, that seemed to be about, whether the writers knew it or not, polyamory. Musicals were teaching me about ethical non-monogamy before I had had much of a chance to even be monogamous.”
Nazi Demonstrators Harass Community Theatre Production of "The Diary of Anne Frank"
“There are reports coming out of Michigan where a group of demonstrators carrying Nazi flags appeared Saturday night outside a community theater performance of the "The Diary of Anne Frank".”
Theatre Seemingly Encouraging "Brown Face" for West Side Story Production
“A local dinner theatre is facing backlash for an audition notice for their upcoming production of West Side Story. In the ad, along with encouraging all ethnicities to audition, the notice also encourages those “who can believably play Latinos” to also show up. Many online are accusing the theatre of either encouraging “Brown Face” or opening the door to “whitewash” this production.”
Nicole Scherzinger’s Apparent Trump Support Raises Justified Questions
“Scherzinger's seeming support of Trump isn’t just a political stance; for many, it represents a betrayal of the very values that make the Broadway community a safe haven for those who have felt marginalized elsewhere.”
How Theatrical Arts Could Transform Under a Second Trump Administration
“Theatrical arts, like many creative industries, can be significantly shaped by political landscapes. With the reelection of Donald Trump, we have to consider the potential impact of his administration’s policies on funding, social dynamics, and cultural messaging in the arts.”
Good Morning, Theatre Friends : Finding Hope and Solidarity in Theatre’s Resilience
“Theatre has survived through wars, political shifts, social challenges, and even a pandemic, and it will continue to do so. While the road ahead may feel daunting, your work remains vital and valued.”
Local High School Theatre Director Stupefied Broadway Hasn’t Discovered Him Yet
Michael Powers, the theatre instructor for Unionville High School for ten years, held a press conference today expressing amazement that Broadway hasn’t recruited him to direct headline musical acts.
We Happy Few: The Importance of Relationships and Interdependency in Theatre
“Too often we take for granted the fact that we share the stage, the story, the wonder, and the present moment together, as a unit. Call it what you will: cast, crew, team, friends, or even perhaps family. But if anything must be said about our experiences on stage, it is that we aren’t nearly as successful or as good as we all aspire to be without each of us backing one another.”