I would like you to meet Morgan Siobhan Green. Morgan is making her Broadway debut in Be More Chill where she understudies for Christine, Brooke, Chloe, Jenna, and ‘as cast.’ Before that, she was seen Off-Broadway in Folk Wandering (ARTNY), and Sweetee (Signature). She has also performed regionally in Between the Lines (Pre Broadway). I always admire understudies and swings who perform on Broadway because as many will tell you they have a lot on their plate, so it was quite an honor to have the opportunity to interview Morgan! 

The pop superstar has brought a Rodgers & Hammerstein showstopper to a new generation.

I would like you to meet Katlyn Carlson. Katlyn is currently making her Broadway debut in the Joe Iconis hit Be More Chill where she is playing the role of Chloe Valentine, a role she played both in the recent Off-Broadway run and with The Two River Theater. She has also performed Off-Broadway in The Unavoidable Disappearance of Tom Durnin, and in the First National Tour of Dirty Dancing. It was such a privilege to have the chance to interview this very talented University of Chicago alum!

What advice would you give young performers who want a career in this business?

Work on your craft! There are many things that may attract you to a career in Acting, but I will say you must love the craft above all. Get in a class. Get a mentor. Go see shows (Not just the ones you could be in but also the ones that you may not see yourself in). Meet people! First, believe in yourself. Then, surround yourself with people who believe in you! Become financially literate. Write your own story. Don’t be phased by rejection. You will most likely receive some form of it. Instead of asking “why me?” Ask “what is this teaching me?”. Carve out time to be somewhat normal. Learn to cook. Read a book. But most importantly get spiritual (whatever that means to you) and take care of yourself.

Last December, I wrote a piece on the fact that Broadway Break Thru and its founder David Petro, had not paid its guest faculty for their work during their summer college programs.

Some of the guest faculty hadn’t been paid a dime despite some of them being owed upwards to $1,000.

After publishing the article, I had heard that Petro promised(in writing) that he would pay all monies owed by February 28th. I’ve been told by various faculty, that he hasn’t sent them a dime.

Beginning March 18, DNR STUDIOS presents a new twice-weekly hour-long LIVE radio show hosted by long-time broadcaster and social media personality Laura Heywood (@BroadwayGirlNYC).

I would like you to meet Anthony Wayne. This triple threat can currently be seen in Tootsie on Broadway performing in the ensemble. On Broadway Anthony has also been seen in the 2018 Tony Award Winning Revival Once on this Island as well as Pippin, Anything Goes and Priscilla Queen of the Dessert. He has performed in the touring companies of A Chorus Line (Richie), The Color Purple, and Fame: The Musical (Tyrone). He has also starred as the 1970’s disco legend Sylvester in the new show Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical! It was a privilege to have the chance to interview Anthony!

I would like you to meet Britney Coleman. Britney will be performing in the ensemble of Tootsie on Broadway at The Marquis Theatre.

She has also been seen on Broadway in Sunset Boulevard, and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (a show she also performed in the 1st National Tour). She has also performed with well respected regional companies such as Westport Country Playhouse, The Muny, Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS), The Old Globe, North Shore Music Theatre, and The Asolo Repertory Theatre. I am very thankful to have the chance to interview this very talented artist!

Legendary EGOT Barbra Streisand has confirmed plans for a UK concert this summer.

I would like you to meet the wonderful Rashidra Scott. She will be performing the role of Josephine in Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and times of The Temptations on Broadway at The Imperial Theatre. Previews start February 28th with the official opening on March 21st. Rashidra Scott has also been seen on Broadway in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Sister Act (also in the 1st National Tour), Hair, Finian’s Rainbow, and Avenue Q (Gary Coleman). She has also performed regionally with Goodspeed Opera House, The Marriott Theatre, Paper Mill Playhouse, STAGES St. Louis, Arizona Theatre Company, and Walt Disney World Entertainment. I absolutely love the temptations music so for me it was quite a thrill to have the chance to interview Rashidra!

A new show chronicling the evolution of women’s roles in musical theatre is coming to the stage in February. The audience will enjoy songs from many of the most beloved musicals of the past century, including West Side Story, Chicago, Wicked and more.

It features a foursome of talented female performers including Cathy Wilmot, recently seen in the Arts Club Theatre’s production of Mamma Mia. We take some time to chat with her about the show and her experiences.

The legendary stage and screen star will bring her Tony-winning performance to the big screen.

From its beginning as a group of friends singing in their spare time, Sing for Hope has evolved to incorporate art in all its forms throughout schools, hospitals, and hospices around New York City.

This Spring, Curtain Call Theatre in Braintree, MA was set to produce To Kill a Mockingbird. However, after auditions were held and rehearsals were set, the theatre was forced to cancel their production due to legal threats they received from lawyers representing Scott Rudin, the lead producer the currently running Broadway show of the same name.

Normally this would be pretty cut and dry, except for the fact that Curtain Call was set to perform an entirely different script licensed by a different company. And that issue is causing problems worldwide and might even end up in a court battle of its own.

I would like you to meet Arica Jackson. Arica is currently a Swing in Waitress on Broadway at The Brooks Atkinson Theatre. Before that, Ms. Jackson performed in the National tour of Waitress and most recently made her Broadway debut in Head Over Heels where she was the standby for the roles of Mopsa and Pamela. Her voice honestly knocks me out, and if you get the chance to see her perform, you are genuinely in for a wonderful treat! I was very excited to have the opportunity to interview her!

An extended look at the long-gestating Elton John biopic is finally available.

I would like you to meet the wonderful Afra Hines. She will be performing in Hadestown on Broadway at The Walter Kerr Theatre with previews beginning March 22nd with the official opening on April 17th. Afra has performed on Broadway in Summer: The Donna Summer Musical (in which she was honored with the Legacy Robe), Shuffle Along, Motown the Musical, Soul Doctor, Ghost, In The Heights and Wicked. Ms. Hines has also toured with Hamilton. I have had the chance to see this amazing actress perform several times on stage and it was quite the honor and privilege to have the opportunity to interview her.

In 2015, we here at OnStage Blog ranked the B.A. in Theatre program at Willamette University as the best in the nation. We felt that the combination of academic rigor, bold production choices, outstanding faculty and ample scholarships made them stand out among the rest. Since then, the school has been in the Top 10 on our annual rankings and this past year came in at #3.

However, a recent student strike has led to the cancellation of the program’s two upcoming productions. And if what we’re hearing from the students is true, then it could lead to a swift downfall for one of the country’s best theatre programs.