The 5 Most Underrated MFA Acting Programs of 2018-19

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The 5 Most Underrated MFA Acting Programs of 2018-19

Unlike other industries, getting a master’s degree isn’t necessarily a requirement for theatre professional to succeed. However, for those looking to teach or further their training, there are many strong MFA programs all over the country.

In the past we’ve done a list of who we felt were the best MFA programs out there. This year, we thought we would changing things up by highlighting programs we felt offer excellent educational opportunities that don’t get enough attention.

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Meshelle Opens Up: An Exclusive Chat with the Self-Styled “Indie Mom of Comedy”

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Meshelle Opens Up: An Exclusive Chat with the Self-Styled “Indie Mom of Comedy”

For many artists, there comes a time where they are forced to make a painful choice in their lives: continuing to pursue their art or move toward starting a family. Some, however, refuse to ultimately choose, and attempt their best to balance their creative life with their parental life. Such appears to be the case with the woman known simply as “Meshelle,” who returns to the NYC indie theatre scene with her latest performance at Theatre Row as part of the United Solo Theatre Festival, after past successful runs at festivals such as the Midtown International Theatre Festival and the Atlanta Black Theatre Festival.

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Two Artists Walk into a Play: Developing a New Work

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Two Artists Walk into a Play: Developing a New Work

When it comes to the phrase “write what you know” playwright, Monica Bauer had a lot to work with. A former political science professor as well as a veteran of the National Guard, she sought to write a play that reflected her unique life experiences. Bauer says “The real truth about politics is found, I believe, in the contradictions in human beings. The problem of politics is flawed human beings trying to make sense of movements in history beyond their control. So I wanted to work with the twin national tragedies of the Vietnam War and the Iraq War, both wars of choice, both wars where a lot of young people died or came back wounded.”

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Taking in the Glitz and Glamour of the Emmys Governor's Ball

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Taking in the Glitz and Glamour of the Emmys Governor's Ball

After last night’s 70th Emmy Awards, nominees, guests, and presenters strolled along a massive red carpet to the L.A. Live Event Deck for the largest celebratory dinner party in Los Angeles. First guests received a bubbling flute of Ferrari Trento as they walked under 29,000 LED lights hanging from the ceiling illuminating the party and Hollywood's night sky.

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A Trump Skit, A Town Outraged, A Community Theatre in Turmoil

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A Trump Skit, A Town Outraged, A Community Theatre in Turmoil

When one thinks of Breckenridge, CO the first thing that usually comes to mind is their popular ski resort. Then perhaps their famous Oktoberfest. But probably no one thought it would be home to a brewing controversy involving its local community theatre. A controversy that has led to threats of boycotts and the resignation of two theatre officials.

All due to a satirical sketch poking fun at Donald Trump. 

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The Top 25 B.A. Theatre Programs for 2018-19

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The Top 25 B.A. Theatre Programs for 2018-19

One of the big realities of looking at college theatre programs is understanding that a BFA degree is not for everyone. These degrees require a lot of time and a different type of courseload that other majors. For many students, they might not feel that a BFA degree is for them and that's completely okay. 

Pursuing a BA in college is sometimes the best path. It allows students to take different electives, double major, study abroad, try different performance opportunities and also work on projects outside of school. 

While there might be pressure out there to only go after a BFA degree, remember that a BFA degree is not required to be cast or hired for a show. It comes down to your talent, audition or portfolio. And these BA programs are helping prepare their students better than most BFA programs. 

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"Frozen" Cast Member Rips Trump Sign Away from Protester During Curtain Call

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Last night, a Trump supporting moron tried to disrupt the curtain call at Frozen by waving a Trump campaign flag in front of the actors as they bowed. 

Thankfully, this caught the eye of cast member Tim Hughes who quickly ripped the flag from the man's hands and threw it backstage. The moment was captured on a cellphone video. 

Following the incident Hughes, who played "Pabbie" in the show, posted the following message to his Facebook page:

"What does it say about our country and politics when a man at the show tonight felt the need to protest Disney’s Frozen on Broadway with a pro Trump flag?? How frightening is it that our show’s messages of love, acceptance, and diversity have become the opposition to supporting Trump? The curtain call is a thank you between actors and audience, a final connection to end a shared experience. I will not apologize for how I responded to the disrespectful man trying to interrupt this moment with a pathetic political platform. Not at our show! Not in front of my beautiful, diverse, talented cast at @frozenbroadway. I appreciate everyone’s support. #resist #lovewins #lovetrumpshate"

This is not the first time Trump supporters have tried to disrupt Broadway. A protester, possibly the same person, did the same during a curtain call at A Bronx Tale. This dumb action was likely a response to director Robert DeNiro's colorful comments about Trump at last year's Tony Awards. It would seem that they just can't let it go. 

No other comments from Frozen officials or Disney Theatrical productions have been released. 

Andrew Lloyd Webber Lets the Memory Live Again in "Unmasked"

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Andrew Lloyd Webber Lets the Memory Live Again in "Unmasked"

Twenty years ago, I was starting at a new Middle School. Naturally, I gravitated toward some familiar extra-curricular activities to ease the transition, one of which was chorus. We sang a medley of songs from "The Phantom of the Opera," a musical. What was a musical? I was about to find out. I was an alto, but loved the tenor lines (the Phantom's lines) so much that the day of the Fall concert I asked if I could sing them and was allowed. Then I worked behind the scenes on the Spring musical, "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." It took me forever to memorize that whole title, but not long at all to decide that this was what I wanted out of life: musical theatre. And who was responsible for these two pieces of art that had brought about this epiphany?

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Extra Extra: Disney’s Newsies Goes Sensory Friendly at Next Generation Theatre

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Extra Extra: Disney’s Newsies Goes Sensory Friendly at Next Generation Theatre

This production of Disney’s ‘newsies’ is letting all “fansies” have an opportunity to seize the day. The Next Generation theater company of St. Louis Missouri is offering a “sensory friendly“ performance. Theater fans with light or sound sensitivity or those on the spectrum of autism should feel more comfortable and welcomed at the show. There will also be sign language interpreters for ASL users. 

The sensory friendly performance will be Sunday September 2nd. The run begins at the James J Eagan civic center in Florissant Missouri on August 31st. Tickets and show information can be found at www.nextgenerationtheatre.company

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The Top 25 BFA Musical Theatre Programs for 2018-19

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The Top 25 BFA Musical Theatre Programs for 2018-19

With the number of performance opportunities out there right now, the demand for musical theatre talent is higher than ever. We've been seeing the demand for those who can act, sing and dance extend beyond the stage to our TV and movie screens. The schools listed here are not only programs that are training their students the right way but also looking for new ways to educate them as well. Some of them are perennial powerhouses and others are programs on the rise. 

Particular factors that were heavily looked at this year were quality of facilities, performance opportunities and value of diversity. 

So without further ado, here are our picks for the Top 25 BFA Musical Theatre programs for this year. 

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The Top 10 Graduate Playwriting Programs for 2018-19

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The Top 10 Graduate Playwriting Programs for 2018-19

In the past four years we've been doing these rankings, one area of theatre we've neglected to cover is writing. Shame on us for that. Because any theatrical professional knows that the writer is absolutely vital to the creative process. They set the tone for everything that follows. 

So it's about time we started recognizing the excellent playwrighting and screenwriting programs around the country. These schools are doing an incredible job of producing the next generation of writing icons by not only teaching them traditional writing techniques but also how to write for modern day audiences. 

Here are our picks for the 10 best Playwriting Programs for 2018-19. For this list, we're doing only graduate programs.

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The Top 25 BFA Acting/Performance Programs for 2018-19

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The Top 25 BFA Acting/Performance Programs for 2018-19

When taking a look at this year's roster of top BFA programs for acting/performance, we considered a lot of different aspects. But one thing we were looking for more than previous years is how these programs are properly preparing their students to tackle the different acting platforms available today. Are they focusing on just theatre or also acting for the camera? What different types of performance opportunities will students have? These types of factors are more than ever for the acting student in the coming new decade. 

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The Top 25 BFA Theatre Design & Tech Programs for 2018-19

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The Top 25 BFA Theatre Design & Tech Programs for 2018-19

While technology always evolving, the landscape for BFA Design & Tech graduates is changing on an annual basis. With those changes, it's important that these college programs evolve as well. 

Students need to be taught traditional techniques in design as well as learn new software and practices. It's equally important that students are trained not only for careers for the stage but for a multitude of different performance settings as well. 

The following programs are great examples of institutions striving to prepare their students for professional careers in the entertainment arts.

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The Top 25 College Dance Programs for 2018-19

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The Top 25 College Dance Programs for 2018-19

Today, we kick off our annual rankings with programs in dance. Over the years we've seen careers in dance take off in a number of ways. Broadway is no longer the only destination. Programs are preparing dancers for a number of different types of performance settings and jobs. 

So here is our list of the best college dance programs for this year, both BFA and BA. Please note that non-degree awarding studio programs will not be included in these rankings. 

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Understanding OnStage Blog's College Rankings

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Understanding OnStage Blog's College Rankings

For the past three years, OnStage Blog has released its annual rankings of the best colleges in the country for Dance, Design & Tech and Performing for BA, BFA and MFA degrees. Whenever we announce our rankings, some questions arise and they're always the same - How do you come up with your rankings?

Well this year, we've decided to tell you. Here is how we break it all down. 

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White Actress Banned from Singing "And I Am Telling You" Because She's Not Black...No Seriously

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White Actress Banned from Singing "And I Am Telling You" Because She's Not Black...No Seriously

There are certain musical numbers that I consider "PhD's in Singing". Songs like "Soliloquy" or "Glitter and be Gay", to master them is an accomplishment reserved for truly talented singers. Another song in this repertoire would be "And I Am Telling You" from Dreamgirls. Many have tried to master it, very few have succeeded. Nevertheless, it's one of the most popular show tunes performed in concerts and cabarets today. 

While many might choose to stay away from such a number, actress Mazz Murray was ready to take it on for her upcoming concert "The Best of the West End". That was until she was told that she was banned from doing so because she's white. 

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